meet Buggy

[bigbadbass]

couple of months ago at the vet, Bug weighed in over 15 lb, likely pushing 16 now. Def a big boy. I'll have to get a tape measure on him stretched out someday.

I see you also a lover of black kitties...Katy was a feral or stray rescue too?

 

[tabbytom]

16lbs? He’s getting big! Please watch his diet and keep him healthy

 

[mazie]

Wow, yes he is a big boy!! Katy was a shelter kitty when I got her, and we both just seemed to jell when I saw her there at the shelter. She was over 2 years old when I got her, (now she is over four years) very calm, adult like in her behavior. She was in the room at the shelter of cats who "don't particularly like to be with other cats", therefor since I work, she was the perfect cat for me. I did not need to feel guilty going off to work and not having a feline friend or sibling to keep her company when I had to be away. Saying that, kittens were not an option either, they are like a "full time job" in themselves. Besides, I don't think I have the stamina anymore for kittens. LoL Too much energy! Katy is a young cat, which I like BUT as I said, an adult. We are a perfect match.

 

[bigbadbass]

tabbytom HELLO! Long time. Not blimping out..he's ok...on special urinary dry foods, he likes the Royal Canin and actually eats LESS wet food than Miss Piggy (Princess). Thankfully, his urinary issue has been controlled for some time now.

Vet acknowledged he's a BIG cat...he was ok with weight.... in view of his overall length.

I DO need to exercise him more, through aggressive, one on one playtime...but the others interfere and interrupt. We'll be workin' on that going forward.

 

[rubysmama]

Glad to see things are going well at kitty Club Med.

 

[tabbytom]

G

tabbytom HELLO! Long time. Not blimping out..he's ok...on special urinary dry foods, he likes the Royal Canin and actually eats LESS wet food than Miss Piggy (Princess). Thankfully, his urinary issue has been controlled for some time now.

Vet acknowledged he's a BIG cat...he was ok with weight.... in view of his overall length.

I DO need to exercise him more, through aggressive, one on one playtime...but the others interfere and interrupt. We'll be workin' on that going forward.

Good to hear that he’s ok.

Oh, that must just be play aggression. Just don’t let him get into the habit of doing that.

 

[dustydiamond1]

You've got to know *going in* the domestication of feral/semi feral or strays *will* require time, commitment and some expense....at some level...realizing no 2 are going to be same in difficulty, being prepared to deal with times of defeat, stress and frustration......

Unfortunately, I think many folks are naive to difficulties and solutions. In particular, The Cat Site's advisors Ondine and Tabby Tom, and other members stuck with me all the way...always offering invaluable help and experience.

Witnessing the starving, wandering, lonely Bug provided me with the incentive to improve his life. His domestication was difficult..still "intact" and very nasty....he needed some real behavioral modifications following medical attention.
Six months later, out of the same woods comes the starving, lost and in distress Princess...more than willing, even seeking, a home situation.

She's so easily fit right in to the household....highlighting the vast difference in level of difficulty.

Difficult or easy...no way to tell...but you've got to be mentally prepped for either scenario and fully committed going in to adoption.

Their being safe and secure now...the payoff...watching them thrive is quite satisfying.

Hi Saw your post in the Black Cat thread & we followed you home Haven't gotten up to speed yet, started reading at the beginning but had to jump to the end to say . Back to the early days, see you later.

 

[bigbadbass]

Wow, heckuva long thread, a long read with all the unedited ups and downs, mistakes, difficulties while highlighting the helpful support we received from TCS

 

[dustydiamond1]

"Their being safe and secure now...the payoff"

Most definitely! I slept so much better after my two feral kittens were in their safe room. Then even better after the vet visits and all was well with the kittens. I had them at work so after socializing them and they became lovable cats I felt guilty leaving them at work to go home at the end of the day. I was going to give them away to someone I know but that fell through. There was absolutely no way I was going to allow them to be separated, no way I was giving them to someone I did not know, no way they were going to a shelter or colony, no way, no way, no way... So the next step was to get them into my house with my existing cats. Just as with socializing them patience was the key to getting what I wanted. I used a safe room at home and it was baby steps introducing them to my other cats. I got what I wanted, they now live in my house coexisting with my other cats and I can sleep guilt free

Been with you a long time, love seeing your photos & tales of the kids.

 

[dustydiamond1]

Wow, heckuva long thread, a long read with all the unedited ups and downs, mistakes, difficulties while highlighting the helpful support we received from TCS

 

[Shane Kent]

Been with you a long time, love seeing your photos & tales of the kids.

Thank You DustyDiamond. The first decent photo I have managed to get with all four. They stir so easily as typically one is moving around.


Taz loves chairs. This week it's a rocking chair. Notice the kid tunnel lower right from Taz. I have two of those kid tunnels, the cats love them far better than the pet ones.

Queen Zoe laying next to me and King Taz on his throne. The little princess and prince in-between

 

[dustydiamond1]

Thank You DustyDiamond. The first decent photo I have managed to get with all four. They stir so easily as typically one is moving around.

View attachment 199809
Taz loves chairs. This week it's a rocking chair. Notice the kid tunnel lower right from Taz. I have two of those kid tunnels, the cats love them far better than the pet ones.

Queen Zoe laying next to me and King Taz on his throne. The little princess and prince in-between

 

[bigbadbass]

the inseparable Bug and Princess (10/23/17)

 

[tabbytom]

Love Buggy’s window shot for the contest. Looks like he’s gonna run away with the prize!

 

[bigbadbass]

ty, tabbytom but anything can happen, there are some great photos in there, absolutely beautiful cats too.

Can't tell you how relieved I am that both my adopted babies are safe, sound and secure.

 

[tabbytom]

Can't tell you how relieved I am that both my adopted babies are safe, sound and secure.

 

[sabian]

I read this whole thread in it's entirety and finished last night. It's quiet a story and very relatable! I raised one cat from three months old that I believe was just dropped off and wound up staying under my house that I was renting at the time. She showed up during an ice storm with an injured hind leg. She was solid black also and had some of the same issues that Bug did. She turned out ok and lived to be somewhere around 14 to 15. Not sure exactly the timeline she showed up.

Now I have a rescue I've been working with since about Mid to late March. He come along in leaps and bounds. I haven't really had any steps back, it's been a constant slow progression. One thing I have noticed though is how it seems progression slows to a halt and then it's like one day something clicks in their mind and they break through a barrier like a aha moment for them. You seemed to have that same experience.

Anyway, without dragging this out which would be easy to do. Just wanted to say GREAT JOB with the cats! It's awesome what you've done and continue to do. You should be proud and the contest was just icing on the cake and well deserved. You know this story could be a Walt Disney movie like Lassie or Ole Yeller! Not sure how it would go over in this day and age but, it's a great story all the same!

One thing I did pick up in the post is that you seemed to think that your other cat was "showing bug the ropes " and also Bug was showing Laya the ropes. Right now I just have my rescue Manny but I intend on getting him a buddy in the near future. I've held off so I can concentrate on training Manny. I have wondered though if bring a 2nd cat in may actually help in some ways. Kinda like Monkey see monkey do sort of thing. Was wondering what your thoughts are on that. It could go either way I guess just depending on the situation.

I had 2 cats and lost one in Nov. 2016 ( The black cat ) and one in Feb 2017. The one I lost in Feb. was full blooded Maine Coon I raised as a kitten and he was just phenomenal. He was almost 16. My plans are to get another Maine Coon from a breeder. 2 cats are about all I can handle at this time. Manny's a great cat and very loving but a bit shy. I just wonder if bringing in a kitten that has no fear would help Manny open up.

Anyway, again great job! I'm sure I'll see you around the site!

 

[bigbadbass]

sabian-

I'm truly honored (if not surprised) you read through the whole extremely long thread. Bug certainly was a "project".

I'm thoroughly convinced my "buddies" schooled each other, the veteran showing the new guy the ropes...aided in quick integration. Luckily , my guys happened to be perfectly compatible, non-violent and social...mature, a little older, the vet Aslan (around 8 YO) showing Bug (around 3). Months later Bug repeating the process...showing Princess (Laya, around 2). The new guy seems to follow the veteran, straying further from their "safe spot" or room. Seeing, comprehending and understanding...I never dissuaded the process in either case. On occasion the new guy would elect to retreat to their room....venturing out again when prompted by the vet.

Call it "copycat"..."monkey see, monkey do"...."the buddy system" ...whatever you like...it seemed to work... Aslan to Bug...then Bug to Princess....seamlessly, comfortably, quickly integrating into the whole house without issue.
A wild, unpredictable, playful youngin' would likely produce a different scenario....I just dunno, not qualified to make that call.

 

[bigbadbass]

always inseparable, Bug and Princess snuggling, nice and warm in a sunny window today

 

[rubysmama]

Wow. So adorable.