Has anyone had experience with having two familiars at the same time? I've always had one.

[HopeHoops]

My current big boy is up there in age. He was mentored by his predecessor as a kitten. I just fell in love with and adopted sibling kittens for him to train. They'll be equals in that capacity and it's a bit of a mystery to me as to how to deal with it. Does anyone have experience with this sort of quandary?

[icymist]

1. Hoops, I never had two familiars. I never even had one...

I have had pets before... my little beagle/spaniel mix that I used to paint green during the full moon back in the late eighties, then my cat (a true alley cat) that rode out the earthquakes with me up to now where I have a blue Russian long hair cat that just loves sleeping at my feet and meowowing for more food when he feels like it. I never thought any of these to be a familiar. Just friends.

[Ruby Reason]

2. What is the difference between a pet and a familiar?

I have my first pet ever that I think might be considered a familiar. She is a Sheltie and we are very close. She often does things I want without me having to ask her. She comforts me even when I didn't realize I needed it. She even makes what I believe to be attempts at human speech and will "answer" questions I ask her or comment on conversations I'm having.

Any thoughts?

[laundry_queen]

3. About familiars

sorry to barge in here, but I'm really curious about this. First some background: I first learned about Wicca about 10 years ago and immediately felt drawn. I bought a bunch of books about solitary practice (I lived in a really remote area) but my husband at the time (now ex) ridiculed me so I quit. I've only recently started down the path again. I just feel pulled into it. I haven't really had time to do actual practicing...still learning. Obviously I haven't learned much as I've never heard about familiars before. That said...

Is it possible a past pet was a familiar? Even if I wasn't on the path yet?

I had a dog that I often thought of as my soul mate and my 'good luck charm' (when people would ask me if my husband was my soul mate, I'd say no but I think my dog is, lol). He was a one-person dog. Everyone commented on how dedicated he was to me - it was pretty obvious. He followed me everywhere, and was basically my shadow and my comfort for 12.5 years till he passed. I swear he acted more like a father to my kids than their dad did. When he died I felt like I had lost a child. His death was also the beginning of an extraordinary trying few years for me - many deaths and loss of a marriage, near bankruptcy, huge change in lifestyle, going back to school after being a stay at home mom etc. I still wake up in the middle of the night and feel his weight on my feet (where he used to sleep). I haven't been able to bring myself to get another pet, let alone a dog. So, what do you think? How do I know? Or was I just extremely lucky and blessed with a great friend?

[Ruby Reason]

4. I'm not sure since I'm just looking into all of this too.

That sure sounds like what I think of as a familiar. Perhaps someone with more experience will give us both some answers.

[PinkTiger]

5. I have a cat who is my familiar

Regis came into my life in 2009, October 16. He was a little, 5-week-old kitten, found in a friend's car under the hood, nearly dead from fear and the water a thoughtless man sprayed on him trying to get him to come out.
He was also covered with blood, presumably from his brothers/sisters and/or mother.
He bonded to me immediately and is my constant companion and protector. He looks out for me in many ways. For example, people he doesn't like, I have learned are not good for me.
People he loves are good for me.
I recently acquired a dog, a 2-year-old pit bull rescue, and she is becoming as close to me as Regis, although the two don't have love for each other (yet). I sense a rivalry there that goes beyond dog/cat. But she is also my protector. I live alone, so having a protector is valuable. My other cat was inherited from my late sister, and was her familiar. So she is welcome but very independent and gets along great with the dog. Not so Regis. Regis is threatened by everyone. LOL.
The other cat is Annabelle. I call her "little bit," because she is so tiny compared to 20-pound Regis, who is a maine/coon domestic cat cross. He is yellow and white; Annabelle is a grey/white/brindle stripe. Pippa, the dog, is brindle and white.
My animals are more than animals to me. I've had other critters, but none as important as these three. So perhaps I have three familiars?
I look upon a familiar as an animal that is more than an animal, but has human-like concern and emotions for humans. We care for each other and bond in a way that is vital to our whole being. I have a friend who is disgusted with the way I "objectify" my pets. And a boss who wants to come back as one of my pets when he dies, because he says I treat them like kings and queens. LOL.
Also, I called Regis and Pippa to me with a ritual before they came. So I know that they are special and meant for me. Annabelle I prayed for, because she was with my other sister after my baby sister passed, and not happy. My sister brought her to me on an airplane in a little black carrier. She has been with me since Thanksgiving 2010.

[HopeHoops]

6. Five weeks is pretty young. Did you have to bottle feed?

[PinkTiger]

7. I thought I would

And was prepared to, but he chewed the nipples up and I found it easier just to give him kitten food with milk in it. He ate us nearly out of house and home! LOL. But he nuzzles my neck like he is looking for a mama, every day.So he was weaned way too young.

[HopeHoops]

8. We found one at a picnic area in NH who was MAYBE 7 weeks old. Missed catching the other.

The one we rescued was so tiny she could walk around the brim of my felt cowboy hat without bending it. Fortunately she could eat solid food. The other one didn't survive the night. My wife found it the next morning. She's 14 now and doing quite well, but she's always been a "eat and puke" cat. She basically started out feral, but she was young enough that after about six months there was no sign and you certainly wouldn't know it now. All she wants to do is cuddle.

[PinkTiger]

9. Cats are amazing.

My little Annabelle, my late sister's cat, is very adaptable. Nothing fazes her. She and the new pit bull dog get along great. Regis, my foundling, hates the dog, hates Annabelle, and likes only me. He loved my late husband, and he likes my new boyfriend a lot, but the guy I had to exorcise from my life, he absolutely hated. Wouldn't even come in the same room while he was here. I should have paid attention to that. LOL.

[HopeHoops]

10. We'll see how "amazing" Peter is this afternoon. I'm about to leave to take him in...

... for "modification".

[PinkTiger]

11. He may not be amazed.

LOL. But he won't know what happens, really. Hopefully.

[HopeHoops]

12. He CERTAINLY won't be amused.

I took my service dog with me when we dropped him off. She was whimpering when we left without him. I promised her she could go to pick him up this afternoon. Apparently he won't be subjected to a cone of shame.