Introducing Geoffrey...

[Tobermory]

Geoffrey! Just look at that pink nose, those stripes on the beautiful buff-colored body, that expression! Welcome home, li’l guy.

 

[PMousse]

I'm so happy for you for welcoming a new furry friend home!!!! G is a gorgeous boy. I'm sure that in time, he'll come out of his shell completely and gain his full confidence as he realizes how lucky he is to have you as his mom!!

 

[neely]

He is slowly exploring.. I opened up Artie's room to him, this morning.. G wants nothing to do with it.. so weird...

What if you sit on the floor in the room and talk to him softly? Just a suggestion, even if he doesn't want to go in the room maybe he will venture in to get more cuddles and love pets from you.

I'm so sorry I missed this extra special thread but thankful I caught up on it now.
It made my very cold and brisk morning warm up with sunshine! I'm beyond ecstatic and can't wait to see more of Geoffrey. I love everything about your new best friend from the rings on his tail to the alert expression on his face. He doesn't know it yet but he has found his forever home with one of the very best cat moms on earth. All my best to both of you.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

This is great news during a hard week for me! I just saw this thread.

artiemom , Geoffrey looks like a wonderful cat!
​

Congratulations! I know he will find the very best of homes in your arms and with all the love you have to give!

 

[tarasgirl06]

A belated "HB" to you, Cindy! IDK how I missed that wonderful news. Surely you have the best "present" anyone could PAWSibly hope for to help you celebrate. *SNORGLES* to Geoffrey!

 

[artiemom]

Geoffrey has been coming out of his in leaps in bounds, daily.. It seems that he overcomes some fear, during the night.

This morning, he woke me up, with cuddles.. still very afraid.. did not know how to play, "mouse under the sheet".. it frightened him.. poor thing.

I was advised to shut my bedroom off to him, today.. I tried, but he is so terrified of not having his safe space: under my bed.. and was crying all over, that I decided to say the heck with it, and open the door..

Of course he ran right under the bed... sigh...

I have discovered that he hates turkey.. twice now, he has turned his nose at it, and covered up the bowl... sigh...

We had great play sessions yesterday.. even a couple of short, "Chase" episodes... he is getting accustomed to this place, and me...
Very slowly.. cannot believe or understand he is allowed on the furniture.. just not on the kitchen counters or the table..can go on the couch and chairs..

Not much of a play session this morning. He is still skittish about me closing off the bedroom door. I could not keep it closed--crying too hard.. so he is afraid to leave it for very long...

He is afraid of the dryer... wonder how he will be with the horrendous noise from the
washing machine??

 

[artiemom]

What if you sit on the floor in the room and talk to him softly? Just a suggestion, even if he doesn't want to go in the room maybe he will venture in to get more cuddles and love pets from you.

I have been doing that nightly, for a bit.. not long, because it is not the easiest position for me.. but...

A belated "HB" to you, Cindy! IDK how I missed that wonderful news. Surely you have the best "present" anyone could PAWSibly hope for to help you celebrate. *SNORGLES* to Geoffrey!

Yes, best B-day, Christmas Gift for few years to come... I really love him.. can it happen that fast? I know it did with Artie, but again?? twice in a lifetime??
I don't know..

Just worried about his acne.. it seems to be getting worse... no plastic dishes.. no plastic at all.. but he ribs his face/mouth everywhere...sigh..

I cannot tackle it. His claws are way too long, and he is so darn strong. Plus I would traumatize him, again. He sees the RVet on Thursday.. see what she says.. I always have NVet--Specialist as a back-up.... sigh

This morning, I 'listened' to 'someone's' advice and closed off my bedroom door, when I got up.. OMG.. Geoffrey was so traumatized. After an hour, I could not stand to see him that way; so I re-opened it to him.. Now, we have taken 3 steps backwards..

Not listening to this person anymore.. no matter what she thinks of me. I am going with my gut.. and Geoffrey....

She thinks she is the local Jackson Galaxy.. but she has a long way to go.. She criticized my treatment of Artie.. so I guess I was a fool to listen to her.. but she is the adoption person at the shelter and was insisting on updates and me doing her suggestions.. A real power freak..
no more.. G is MY cat, not HER'S....

I may just "Yes" her to death.. and do my own thing... I do have to work with her, so it is a fine line..

She questions me!!! seriously.. as in: "How could you have given Artie's bed away?? How could you do it?? I could never do that?"""

making me feel inferior and unknowledgeable..

Anyway.. Specialist and his secretary has told me that one thing I know, is cats..
So, I am going by their judgement.. and not this so called, self proclaimed expert...

Rant over!!!

Geoffrey is back under my bed.. spent 3 hours at shelter.. gone from house for 5 hours... He did not move from under the bed.. I came home, kept calling him, put stuff away, took a shower.. He came out and ate 1/2 pack of Sheba Turkey!!!

We played with a Jackson Galaxy feather thing.. He already broke off one of the feathers!! OMG.. so strong!! and now he is back under my bed.. I am relaxing.. will be getting dark soon.. I will feed him another can later..

G ate an entire can of Wellness Chicken strips, in one sitting, this morning!!!

I love this little boy, again.. I guess I am fickle..

Geoffrey does seem to understand the word, "PLAY". He comes out, chases the toy right into the extra bedroom.. makes my heart so happy to see this..

Slowly.. not even a week yet.. That will be on Monday..

 

[tarasgirl06]

I have been doing that nightly, for a bit.. not long, because it is not the easiest position for me.. but...


Yes, best B-day, Christmas Gift for few years to come... I really love him.. can it happen that fast? I know it did with Artie, but again?? twice in a lifetime??
I don't know..

Just worried about his acne.. it seems to be getting worse... no plastic dishes.. no plastic at all.. but he ribs his face/mouth everywhere...sigh..

I cannot tackle it. His claws are way too long, and he is so darn strong. Plus I would traumatize him, again. He sees the RVet on Thursday.. see what she says.. I always have NVet--Specialist as a back-up.... sigh

This morning, I 'listened' to 'someone's' advice and closed off my bedroom door, when I got up.. OMG.. Geoffrey was so traumatized. After an hour, I could not stand to see him that way; so I re-opened it to him.. Now, we have taken 3 steps backwards..

Not listening to this person anymore.. no matter what she thinks of me. I am going with my gut.. and Geoffrey....

She thinks she is the local Jackson Galaxy.. but she has a long way to go.. She criticized my treatment of Artie.. so I guess I was a fool to listen to her.. but she is the adoption person at the shelter and was insisting on updates and me doing her suggestions.. A real power freak..
no more.. G is MY cat, not HER'S....

I may just "Yes" her to death.. and do my own thing... I do have to work with her, so it is a fine line..

She questions me!!! seriously.. as in: "How could you have given Artie's bed away?? How could you do it?? I could never do that?"""

making me feel inferior and unknowledgeable..

Anyway.. Specialist and his secretary has told me that one thing I know, is cats..
So, I am going by their judgement.. and not this so called, self proclaimed expert...

Rant over!!!

Geoffrey is back under my bed.. spent 3 hours at shelter.. gone from house for 5 hours... He did not move from under the bed.. I came home, kept calling him, put stuff away, took a shower.. He came out and ate 1/2 pack of Sheba Turkey!!!

We played with a Jackson Galaxy feather thing.. He already broke off one of the feathers!! OMG.. so strong!! and now he is back under my bed.. I am relaxing.. will be getting dark soon.. I will feed him another can later..

G ate an entire can of Wellness Chicken strips, in one sitting, this morning!!!

I love this little boy, again.. I guess I am fickle..

Geoffrey does seem to understand the word, "PLAY". He comes out, chases the toy right into the extra bedroom.. makes my heart so happy to see this..

Slowly.. not even a week yet.. That will be on Monday..

"Not even a week yet" says it all, Cindy. Not even a week is not even beginning to be enough time to expect a shy, ex-shelter, possibly traumatized cat to act like he's self-assured, confident, and knowing he has a safe world. When Elvis joined us from a very loving home, he was very sad, obviously just incomprehensible, because of suddenly, with no warning, being taken from his loving family and home to --- WHAT? He had no idea. I always ask people to imagine themselves in the places of their new cats (as children, if necessary). If someone put you in a cage in a noisy room after who knows what past, and then you were suddenly put in a carrier by a complete stranger and taken to a place you had never been to, WHAT WOULD YOU THINK AND FEEL? I know I'd be terrified. And after "not even a week" I'd be perhaps slightly less terrified but still very much up in the air, because I'd have no idea what would happen to me in an hour? a moment? and whether the stranger who seemed very nice, loving, and providing TRULY WILL BE. Those would be just a few of the feelings I'd be having.
Right now I am very traumatized by the fires here in So. California (I have PTSD and am a burn survivor) and I have caught myself doing some not normal things, and not doing some things that are normal, if you understand my words there. So I know what being traumatized is. I'm sure Geoffrey does, too, for whatever unknown reasons. Time, patience, and love are always key.
Personally, I would not lock him out of his safe place when he needs it so much. Experts advise to give cats their own room when bringing them into a multi-cat home -- I don't know why giving them their own room wouldn't be equally good in a single-cat home, because cats are very sensitive to change, especially of environment. So under the bed IS his "own room" for now. Elvis hid under the bed in his safe room for quite awhile after he joined us. I mean I didn't even see him unless I lay down on the floor and looked under there. He actually tore the lining off the box spring and got up in there to hide.
Acne may be idiopathhic (no known cause). It's good that he will see his vet just to be introduced, if for no other reason. I wouldn't worry about his acne -- and as for his claws, either they can clip them there or maybe you can try what experts suggest -- after he's acclimatized! -- by waiting until he's very comfortable -- even sleepy -- and doing one or two claws at a time, whatever he'll tolerate.
This is the start of a beautiful new relationship. I know it will be a very good one.

 

[rubysmama]

I'm not surprised, as I know how much you love cats, but I'm very happy to read that you've fallen in love with Geoffrey so soon.

And I believe you are the right purr-son to help him get past his timidness, and bring out his true purr-sonality.

As for advice, go with your gut. Geoffrey is yours now, and you are already seeing him coming out of his shell. Just tell the shelter lady, that he's doing fine, then come here to TCS if you have any questions or concerns.

 

[Tobermory]

She questions me!!! seriously.. as in: "How could you have given Artie's bed away?? How could you do it?? I could never do that?"""

That’s just cruelty thinly disguised as sympathy. And the “expert” advice she’s given you hasn’t worked out. So you seem much more knowledgeable to me!

It was two or three months before Mocha stopped running back to her safe room when she got scared. Such a big change for him, but G sounds like he’s doing great after only a week!

 

[verna davies]

Love the update and yes, you decide what is best for Geoffrey not someone else. He is your cat and you are both getting to know each other. It is so important that he feels safe and if under the bed is it for now, then thats fine. Keep the updates and photos coming.

 

[artiemom]

Well, Geoffrey is seeing the regular Vet tomorrow afternoon. Ordinarily, I would not be anxious or stressed about it; however, he has some serous acne, which has been worsening...

I pray this does not turn into a food allergy..

The first day, I saw him, he did not have it.. A few days later, after I signed the adoption papers, but did not take him home: (due to getting the place cat ready), he began to develop the acne.. sigh.. I saw him every day, so I have been watching the progression of it..

After Artie; I am really scared... not another cat with a food allergy... dam

I have been feeding him the same food as the shelter... at the foster (short period of time) he was eating Friskies wet, and Kirkland Dry....

Trying to slowly introduce better food: Wellness, Weruva, Nature Made (PetSmart grain free food)... even some Purina One-Which he hates... good... and a can of Fancy Feast, which I had at home..

I want to try to have a repertoire of 3 brands or so... in case of a recall... and I am trying to mix it up with the chicken and fish..chicken is everywhere..

He is eating really well, except for today.. Do not know if he is playing, "who is in charge of food"... or not.. but he is refusing his food today and yesterday... I have discovered he really dislikes turkey...

He is peeing and pooping really well.. not much pee today, because he did not eat much. I am adding a bit of extra water to his food..

I am mixing he shelter dry, Nature's Made--duck and turkey, mixed with Wellness Core, salmon and herring... slowly trying to change him over without upsetting his system...

I do not know what to do...

Yesterday, he was such a clown.. it was a dark rainy day, and he was in his element..

I am beginning to call him a, "Vampire Cat", because he comes out from under my bed, when the sun starts to go down...

Today, the sun is shining, so it is an 'off' day for him... still under the bed...

He has been sleeping with me every night.. visiting on and off, and exploring...

I think if it is a food allergy, I am going to give up.. I was hoping to be able to get pet insurance for him.. but with an allergy.. it may be a waste of money...

I think God just wants me to have sick kitties... sigh...He knows I will take good care of them, at the risk of losing my mental health...

fingers crossed...

no pictures yet.. do not want to scare him. He is a very, very timid, scared cat...

 

[Antonio65]

I think God just wants me to have sick kitties... sigh...He knows I will take good care of them, at the risk of losing my mental health...

Someone had told me that God knows where to send the needy cat to.
Not everybody is granted the privilege to be the parents and the nurse of a needy cat. God chooses the best persons to be His unlucky creatures' guardians.
All the rest, the ordinary people, will just have an ordinary pet.

 

[rubysmama]

Hopefully it's something other than a food allergy causing the acne. And hopefully antibiotics will clear it up. But even if it's a food allergy, there's lot of different proteins out there, as you most definitely already know, so it might be just a matter of avoiding certain foods. Good luck today.

Someone had told me that God knows where to send the needy cat to.
Not everybody is granted the privilege to be the parents and the nurse of a needy cat. God chooses the best persons to be His unlucky creatures' guardians.
All the rest, the ordinary people, will just have an ordinary pet.

That's beautiful.

 

[maggiedemi]

Could it be fleas? I thought Demi had chin acne, but it was flea dirt. Frontline cleared it up.

 

[LTS3]

It may just be a simple reaction to the food and not a full blown food allergy / intolerance. Is it just black specks or bumpy acne? Emma developed black specks from a brand of raw chub. Once I stopped feeding that brand, the specks went away.

 

[artiemom]

hmmmmm..

I do not think it is feasible dirt. I have tried wiping it with water and peroxide, while getting scratched, and it did not turn red....

It is the dark specks... no bumps that I can see...

We only fed 2 foods in shelter.. so that would be easy to stop feeding...

sigh

Someone had told me that God knows where to send the needy cat to.

I am believing that.. Pumpkin was sick from the day I took her home as a kitten.. runt of the litter... My mom and I used her back to health.. it took months..

Then Artie....

Now Geoffrey....

wonder if there is a correlation with weak immune systems and orange tabbies....

 

[maggiedemi]

wonder if there is a correlation with weak immune systems and orange tabbies

You might be on to something there. Demi is white/orange and he has more health problems than Maggie.

 

[rubysmama]

wonder if there is a correlation with weak immune systems and orange tabbies....

I wonder that sometimes, too. My orange tabby girl, Ruby, has had a sensitive digestive system ever since I adopted her 5 years ago. She's about 8 now, and when I took her for her annual last Dec. the vet noticed some gum inflammation and said it was common to start earlier with orange cats.

 

[Antonio65]

wonder if there is a correlation with weak immune systems and orange tabbies....

My ginger cat Tom arrived at my door as an adult stray cat, he had FIV, he developed FeLV later on, even if he had been vaccinated for this, then he caught FIP, and died...