Stumpy has been my alpha cat for over 10 years. Last year he contracted a gum disease that we struggled with for a long time and finally had half of his teeth pulled a few months back. He's feeling marvelous again and looks as healthy as he has ever been in his life.
Which is really odd that, now that he's feeling better, he's passed over his king status to Spanky (4 years old). We've known that Spanky would take over some time in his life, just never suspected that Stumpy would allow it while he was alive.
The biggest give away is the changed behavior in our queen, Scarlett (age 6). She is a people cat and only tolerates the other cats in the house except for Stumpy. She always had high regards for him. They would play occasionally, but only when she felt so inclined.
So Scarlett is now playing with Spanky. Continuously. They wrestle (playfully) all day long. She has never had this level of interaction with cats in her life. And its so hysterical to watch as she is 7 pounds and he is 16 pounds. She gets the better of him most times and if he by chance lands on top of her, she just squeaks, backs off, then leaps back on his head.
Dakota has been giving Stumpy a hard time since he got sick (an alpha want-a-be). Now that Spanky is alpha, he stands between Dakota and Stumpy and if Dakota tries to approach, he runs him off.
So not only is Spanky alpha, he is doing his best to keep the peace in the house. He's always been an ambassador cat and I'm so happy that my peaceful lover boy has the reigns. It means a quiet reign for many years to come.
The guards have changed.........and Stumpy is not threatened by it at all.
Which is really odd that, now that he's feeling better, he's passed over his king status to Spanky (4 years old). We've known that Spanky would take over some time in his life, just never suspected that Stumpy would allow it while he was alive.
The biggest give away is the changed behavior in our queen, Scarlett (age 6). She is a people cat and only tolerates the other cats in the house except for Stumpy. She always had high regards for him. They would play occasionally, but only when she felt so inclined.
So Scarlett is now playing with Spanky. Continuously. They wrestle (playfully) all day long. She has never had this level of interaction with cats in her life. And its so hysterical to watch as she is 7 pounds and he is 16 pounds. She gets the better of him most times and if he by chance lands on top of her, she just squeaks, backs off, then leaps back on his head.
Dakota has been giving Stumpy a hard time since he got sick (an alpha want-a-be). Now that Spanky is alpha, he stands between Dakota and Stumpy and if Dakota tries to approach, he runs him off.
So not only is Spanky alpha, he is doing his best to keep the peace in the house. He's always been an ambassador cat and I'm so happy that my peaceful lover boy has the reigns. It means a quiet reign for many years to come.
The guards have changed.........and Stumpy is not threatened by it at all.