Hello, I am sorry to start this post with something sad but I need to share. Skip to the end if you don't want to hear a sad story.
My eldest bengal Natawni passed away recently at 12 years. She was the most loyal, affectionate, smartest cat I have ever owned and I had an extra special close bond with her, she will be greatly missed by all the family. My only regret is that I wasn't there when she passed. She became ill and the vet recommended an ultrasound to see what was going on with her insides (labs mostly normal), they had to put her under to do it and she woke up fine but unfortunately vomited and aspirated into her lungs and we lost her very quickly :( Such a low chance of complications but it happened non-the-less. They did an autopsy and we cant be 100% without sending in a sample but her intestine/colon was extremely abnormal (thick and hard) and she had enlarged lymph nodes all throughout her abdomen. It is likely she had lymphoma. It's amazing she was pooping and acting normal for so long with how bad it was. I am glad she had a very healthy and happy life until the end. Just wish I was there to hold her or and that she had went more peacefully and not in a scary vets office. The days before she became ill, she was happy and we found some wild catnip outside and she had a blast, we also took her out for a long walk just the week prior. At least we got to do some fun things just before she suddenly couldn't cope anymore.
That being said, we are already considering a new addition or two. Nothing could ever replace Natawni but she left behind her loving friend Onyx, a bengal we rescued from a shelter. He is 7 years old. He is a very social cat (both of them were) and Natawni was always happier once we had Onyx and I feel Onyx would benefit from a new cat companion.
I am keeping an eye out for a young rescue cat/kitten but also looking into breeders. I am even fine with an adult if I find the right one but its much easier to add a kitten (will keep my eyes peeled). My husband thinks we should get two because Onyx is 7 and suffers from asthma. So far, luckily, it is mild and has never needed any medication for it and it is not exercise induced, his attacks are from smells/dust mostly, and sometimes excitement about being petted. My husband feels we may end up in a position again where Onyx eventually passes and we are left with 1 lonely cat again.
My major question is, if we add two litter-mates (1 boy/1 girl or 2 girls), will Onyx become the 3rd wheel? He really enjoys other cats and playtime, so my hope is that he will be more of a "father figure" or mentor to the cats and that they will bond to him as well as each other.
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