Puddles the Caliby

[vampiric_conure]

Thought I'd make a thread for Puddles. For those who missed her story, a guy had to get rid of his year-old cat NAOW because his older/ adult daughter, whom Puddles was bought for, didn't have any interest in her. After juggling some birds around, I now have this laid-back, playful brat I call the Overlord. I've been introducing her to my dog and birds... the birds now greet her when she enters the room, and the dog and she are playmates, a total of 4 weeks with her! She rarely jumps on the counters and if she does, it's when I'm not around.

The dog and cat have had some minor issues. Winter (dog) has turned into a resource guarder since having Puddles around, so I've been feeding the snots in different rooms. Since doing that, and making sure they stay separated until finished eating, things have been peaceful.

and Puddle pix for Tax:

 

[di and bob]

Oh, beautiful picture! 4 weeks is not long at all, you are lucky. Congratulations, we welcome you to the Cat Site! She is a beautiful calico!

 

[betsygee]

Aww, sweet!

 

[vampiric_conure]

Tomorrow my baby gate (with cat door) arrives. Then I can take Winter off the leash and supervise how she and Puddles get along without me constantly correcting her. Winter only gets snappish if I feed Puddles and her in the same room (won't do that again) and if I feed Puddles first. Otherwise, Winter and Puddles get along well. The dog respects the murder mittens. All Puddles has to do is lift a paw and the dog backs off. I plan on getting a cat tree in the middle of September when my next cheque comes in. That way there's a place for Puddles to escape if Winter gets too enthusiastic.

And Puddles tax:

 

[catloverfromwayback]

Overlord? No, ofurlord.

 

[vampiric_conure]

Two complaints about the new baby gate:

1) Winter fits through the cat door

2) The cat door didn't come with instructions on how to install it. A huge pamphlet on how to install the actual door, but not the cat door. I'm wondering if I have a defective cat door?

I've decided to keep it. Returns are a hassle anyways and zip ties keep the cat door in place. Closing the bedroom door partway so Puddles can still gain entry to her litter box is preventing Winter from entering the room.

Took Winter off her leash now that everything is set up and IMMEDIATELY Winter decided to 'play' with the cat, bouncing around her and barking. Puddles wasn't having any of it and gave Winter a few swats. Now chaos has been adverted. Puddles' Litter box is raised off the ground so litter box cafeteria snacks can be avoided and I have a working baby gate. HUZZUH!

 

[vampiric_conure]

So Winter and Puddles are getting along fabulously. Puddles has taken to jumping on the computer desk to inspect what I'm doing. She likes behind the computer and sits on the window sill beside the community bird cage, which is where she gets great cta TV between the birds and whatever's outside. I might have to hang something beside one of my bird cages, as Puddles is VERY curious about Vortex (a Pionus parrot) and will paw at her if I'm not watching. I've taken to picking her up and dumping her on the floor when she does that. Tomorrow the new cat tree arrives, so hoping that will curb some of her need to be beside Vortex.

And Kitty Tax:

 

[vampiric_conure]

The new cat tree arrived today! Puddles was already on it before I finished building it, LOL! Some catnip and she's parked herself on it.

 

[vampiric_conure]

Two developments with Puddles:

1) She started growling over her food, snapping it out of the dish before I can even put the bowl down. And she grabs it and carts it away from the food bowl sometimes. Could it be I'm not feeding her enough? She gets one can of Friskies (Flavors vary) a day. I'm not sure if this is enough for her...

2) SHe's started climbing on the community birdcage. I must ensure her not getting bitten, as Charlie (Peach Front Conure- The green guy in the cage picture) can be very nippy. But I have to use newspaper, as he shreds cloth like it's going out of style.

And Puddles Pix for those who demand kitten tax:

 

[vampiric_conure]

Puddles has developed two new habits. The first is to walk behind the computer and park herself above or on the keyboard if I'm at the computer. She generally wants this when she wants attention and away from the dog. The second habit is to beg for food here, exactly a whisker length from my face. I don't mind the first issue unless I'm painting, but her getting IN MY FACE to demand whatever I'm eating is a bit too close for comfort. Does anyone have tips on how to train her out of this? I've been gently shoving her nose back with my fingertips and when she tires of me doing it, she jumps back onto her usual Cat Tree/perches beside the computer desk.

And proof of her escapades:

 

[vampiric_conure]

I finally got a pic of Puddles and I!

 

[vampiric_conure]

SOOooooo yeah... seriously considering a play pal for Puddles. I'm interested in a Devon Rex, partly because they sound like Italian Greyhounds in a cat body, but also because they look so unusual. Puddles is the most laid-back cat I know. I'm trying to get on a waiting list, which can be 3-5 years long through the breeder I'm interested in, and by then, Puddles will be more experienced. Between Puddles and Winter, and the bird(s), the new cat should fit right in . I'm hoping for a male, because of the theory that males and females make the best mix. It'll depend on the cat and their personality tho.

And Puddles Tax:

 

[vampiric_conure]

SO I'm looking for a breeder of Devon rexes and so far the three I'm interested in haven't gotten back to me. Found someone selling their 1 year old sphynx-devon cross, so I might just end up taking her instead. That is, if she's still available. She's got an eye injury from a kitten, which I don't mind. She had conjunctivitis and had a bad reaction to the medication they used when she was a few weeks old.

SO nervous, but heck. I want a cat that can handle Puddles and Winter

 

[vampiric_conure]

I've now widened my search to Oriental Shorthairs. They seem to be a good fir for Puddles, too. Now let us see who contacts me by tomorrow...

 

[vampiric_conure]

I've now widened my search to Oriental Shorthairs. They seem to be a good fit for Puddles, too. Now let us see who contacts me by tomorrow...

 

[vampiric_conure]

... ANd widened my search to include Siamese cats as they were what I was interested in when I got Gerta darn near 20 years ago. They seem to have a LOT in common with Oriental Shorthairs. Or so my research says.

 

[vampiric_conure]

The fellow with the polydactyl 6-month-old Siamese got back to me. Plus he's local! Asking some questions about his cat. Will update when I can .

 

[SueLinda]

Tomorrow my baby gate (with cat door) arrives. Then I can take Winter off the leash and supervise how she and Puddles get along without me constantly correcting her. Winter only gets snappish if I feed Puddles and her in the same room (won't do that again) and if I feed Puddles first. Otherwise, Winter and Puddles get along well. The dog respects the murder mittens. All Puddles has to do is lift a paw and the dog backs off. I plan on getting a cat tree in the middle of September when my next cheque comes in. That way there's a place for Puddles to escape if Winter gets too enthusiastic.

And Puddles tax:
View attachment 483740

Reminds me of the cat I had growing up, her name was Teddy Bear. We were "kittens" together.

 

[vampiric_conure]

Puddles is likely going to get a playmate tomorrow. Someone has a 6-month-old polydactyl, Siamese boy available. He's not neutered yet.... or vaccinated, as it is with rescues around here. I'll take care of that. I don't even know his name yet. I'm going to take a look at him tomorrow. Been told he's quite friendly and he likes other cats.

I think I'll call him Omen.

And his pix for Tax :

 

[vampiric_conure]

OMGOMGOMG!! Puddles actually cuddled with me and the dog for a while this evening! Everyone was in close proximity to each other, from Omen in the chair, and the dog on top of me to puddles beside me and being all sweet. Would have taken pix, but the phone was across the room...