Strange happenings

[JMJimmy]

We're not sure what we're going to do once construction is completed.  Part of it depends on whether or not we get our patio back or we just get a stupid "ground floor balcony".   If we get the balcony we'd seriously consider moving - the patio is one of the only things keeping us here.  Assuming things are restored to the way they were, we obviously would want to be able to use our patio.  That would realistically mean they'd be indoor/outdoor cats (no way of keeping them from running out with a sliding door) but at the same time we wouldn't want the new ones reverting to their old ways so we'd probably have to install some higher fencing.  Ideally we'd do something like what you have with the deer fencing but I doubt the "look" of it would be acceptable to our neighbours/landlord.  They'd probably want something like a lattice fence which would mean we'd lose our garden.

 

[JMJimmy]

Well things are starting to get interesting here.  Scotty was being all anxious and meowing because his food was late coming... of all cats Julius corrected his behaviour.  Scotty is becoming quite the whipping boy.

A little while later our little miss Morgan makes an appearance downstairs, proceeds to launch herself 8 feet in the air to the top of the lumber pile in our "dining room".  Jumps down a little bit later, and runs upstairs like it was nothing. 

I am just now realizing that all those 5 foot+ surfaces that were out of reach of our lazy bunch are now fair game... so many breakables...

 

[tarasgirl06]

My girls never jump, but our latest addition to the family is a cupboard cruiser and I'm always telling him, "NO JUMPIES!"  

 

[JMJimmy]

Just sitting here chillin, Julius in the kitty bed under the dining room table, Junior and Scotty sleeping nearby.  Morgan and Mama up in the bedroom - on in the big bed the other in the kitty bed.  One big happy family.

We seem to have 2 more cats that want to join (no more!!!)  One has been coming by for a couple weeks meowing to get in.  He seems like another dump looking for his owners.

Bear somehow managed to find his way back to us last night and wanted to come in.  He paced back and forth between the door and the window meowing away.

 

[JMJimmy]

Things are going quite well overall in the ~month since we trapped Morgan and Julius.  Morgan is pretty much full on house cat - plays, gives up the belly, and fits in with the gang incredibly well.  She'll let them know when she doesn't like something with a quick series of swats and a hiss but all the boys respect her and give her whatever she wants.  She's still has moments of fear but they're generally short lived - she's an ADHD cat if there ever was one, attention span of a gnat I swear. 

Julius is a bit confounding.  He LOVES pets, LOVES cat nip, LOVES his cat bed, plays with lasers, has gotten used to the feeding schedule, allows himself to be picked up without issue, hasn't had any issues with most of the cats (in fact he's very friendly with Scotty) though has some issues with Mama, and when he walks around he does so tail straight up like he owns the place or relaxed tail.  By all accounts he should be integrating well and getting used to things around here.  Unfortunately, he's not, and I can't figure him out. 

The flip side of his behaviour is fear - he doesn't like to be seen, runs away from us or if there are too many cats around (feeding time he's on the edge ready to bolt for a hiding spot), hides under the BBQ or under the bed constantly, and when he's out but not walking around he's always under something (a table, chair, etc). 

It's like he's got a split personality or can't decide on what type of cat he wants to be: dominant & assertive or fearful & passive. 

I'm on the fence as to whether or not he just needs more time or if we need to start being more creative in our attempts to deal with his fear.  Obviously time will help, but I would have expected more progress from him than I'm seeing based on past results.  One second I think he might be more feral than the others but then I see how he reacts to being held/pet and it just doesn't jive.  There's also no rhyme or reason to his fear - some days walking down the stairs terrifies him, then next you can pet him in his bed.   So confusing.

 

[catsknowme]

I sure enjoy reading your posts. It is heartbreaking to read about the other cats wanting in - I wonder if the newcomer is a lost cat who accidentally got outside. as for urine smells, I have had the best luck with NoOdor litterbox spray - I even use it on laundry, including for human messes (I am a caregiver,and years ago managed a laundromat that offered fluff&fold services); I also use hydrogen peroxide but that can bleach the clothes - the best way is to use a vinegar-followed by baking soda-rinse, then a second washing with peroxide added.

 

[JMJimmy]

I wish we could take them all in but we're pushing it with five.  There's just too many.  If we get our patio back we'll be setting up a permanent feeding station for them.  Not ideal but at least they'll be fed, watered, and eventually have a warm place to rest.  I wish we could provide medical care as well but we're barely keeping up with the five we have - not easy on a single income but we're getting there.  Four of them currently need dental work, two are scheduled for now then the rest as soon as we can.  I just hope there aren't too many extractions needed.

 

[JMJimmy]

I meant to post this earlier - as you can see Morgan is getting along very well

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• JMJimmy
• Feb 1, 2017

 

[kittyluv387]

So cute!

 

[kittychick]

I haven't checked in on this thread in way too long - - - just when I thought you guys couldn't do more (or go through more) I find I'm wrong! Kudos to you for continuing the fight for these "street guys" (which, as you've discovered, weren't often meant to be "street guys" - just the result of bad human decisions). Your perseverance amazes me. Particularly when I think about the woman who stopped me in Pet Supplies Plus last night as my husband and I were buying every soft treat in sight (including Greenies Pill Pockets) as we just discovered our oldest guy, Jo, has colon issues (bordering on mega colon), and now has a heart murmur and beginnings of kidney disease. So needless to say - trying to find a way to get yet another pill down this poor guy who already was getting two pills a day plus three syringes of liquid meds 2 x a day - - - well, finding a way that doesn't mean shoving it down his throat seems appealing (he's starting to get that "OH MY GOD NOT YOU!" look when we approach him - - - and he's such a loving guy, we want to keep his utter terror at our presence at a minimum 

But I digress ----since I had 5 bags of treats in my basket, she wasn't exactly going out on a limb approaching me and saying "Do you know anything about cats?" My husband and I laughed - and asked her what she needed. She then proceeded to tell us about a kitten she had that was "driving her crazy" (I asked how old - 4 months - I said "that's kinda their job at that stage'). She said he was clawing everything, climbing up furniture, scratching her (she showed me a tiny 1/8 inch scratch on her arm - I tried not to chuckle). Then she said she put him in her bathroom while she was at work, and that she "came home to something I just can't take - he'd destroyed everything - he'd shredded the toilet paper - he'd opened the medicine cabinet and pulled everything out and onto the floor, breaking a few things in the process, knocked her toothbrush and holder to the floor, flipped his litter box..and then when he got out he got on the kitchen table,...".....you get the idea. She said "I just don't know if I can take this - - I'm thinking about putting him in a small crate while I'm at work and at night - would that work? And what do you think about declawing?" Heavy sigh on my end - but I'm someone who prefers to educate rather than lecture (more flies with honey - yada yada). I explained declawing and how severe it is, and the problems it brings later down the line, including chronic pain, arthritis, litterbox issues, biting...etc. I talked to her about trimming his claws - she had no idea how. I explained - and pointed her to YouTube or back to the shelter he came from as hopefully someone could show her there (the shelter I volunteer for is currently closed for a few weeks due to a panleuk case). I explained ins and out of scratching posts, what to look for, etc. I even showed her "SoftPaws" - although I was honest that I found them way more of a struggle than it was worth for me - but said others loved them. I gave her other tips and hints...but the big thing I tried to push was that closing him in a crate for 9 hours during the day and all night was just creating a BIGGER ball of pent-up energy - - and wasn't fair to him. She listened, but kept sighing, and saying "this sounds like alot of work....I'm just not sure how much longer I can work at it." I asked what I realized I hadn't asked despite standing for 30 minutes with her - which was, "how long have you had him and been working with him?"  The answer? ONE DAY!  I did, in the end, say "please give him time - he'll grow out of the craziness - but he may never be your version of perfect....but chances are you'll learn to love the flaws just like we do with people we love. And if, in the end, you can't take it...please don't dump him.....the shelter you got him from will take him back." I'm praying - but not very hopeful - that that kitten doesn't end up on the streets. 

Where, if he does, he hopefully comes across someone as wonderful and open-hearted (and persistent!!!!!) as you two. 

(and btw - I did miss when you noted Sissy's passing - I'm so sorry - - I hope you know how much better you made her life and that still gives you comfort).

 

[JMJimmy]

1 DAY!?!?!  Wow what did she think she was getting a tribble?

Thanks for the compliments, in all honesty though it's barely been any trouble.  Sure, the spraying is annoying and we've got to keep on top of it, but it just means the cleaning I always meant to do actually gets done now.  

I would say the effect on our lives is now about 4 hours a week of work and 2-3 of that is cleaning that needs doing anyway (though maybe not as regularly).  The countless hours of enjoyment more than make up for it.  The toughest part is the money - with me out of work long term my wife is supporting everything and that's not easy on a below average salary in Toronto.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Revisiting this post.  There is another way to freshen the walls.  KILZ.  You paint it on the walls and then put the paint over that.  

 

[tarasgirl06]

WHY do some people get cats and kittens if they don't "get" cats and kittens, I wonder?  Your post just rendered me speechless.  Do people think they have no feelings, no needs, no lives??? (rhetorical).

The woman probably wouldn't shut a 2-year-old kid inside a cage for 9 hours while she worked.  Putting a kitten in one would be worse IMHO.  The woman sounds like she is totally unqualified, not to mention lacking in feeling, and should never have a cat or kitten.  That said, I join you in hoping (and praying) for a sea change and for the one who is supposed to be his CAREGIVER to start giving CARE. And becoming educated.  

 

[Norachan]

Some people should stick to goldfish.............or stuffed toys.

But at least she was in the pet store asking for advice. Maybe she's willing to try a few of the things @kittychick  suggested. I've had young kittens, around 3 to 4 months old, suddenly appear in my front yard. Well-fed, socialised and very playful. Just more than someone could handle, I guess.

At least they brought them to the right place rather than dumping them in the middle of nowhere.

 

[JMJimmy]

Last night I stayed up with Julius, who's still having a hard time adjusting.  Nothing intense, just sitting near him while he chilled atop a chest.  Finally got to bed around 2:30am.  About an hour later I was woken up by a kitty standing on my arm.  I figured it was Junior who doesn't really hesitate to use us as an alternative to a floor.  Half-asleep and blurry eyed I see Mama sleeping in the corner and a dark shape trying to navigate around him.  I look over at the kitty bed on my dresser to find Junior sleeping there. 

I realize Morgan has joined us on the bed!  This is only the second time she's jumped up there ever.  She was trying to get to "her" bed that Junior was occupying and can't go the other way due to Mama being grumpy as ever.  So I give her some pets and she snuggles right down against me.  She spent the next hour and a half completely passed out snuggling with me.  Any time I made a small movement she'd push herself into me that much more. 

Semi-feral to snuggling in 35 days.

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• JMJimmy
• Feb 4, 2017

 

[DreamerRose]

Wow! That's great! She wants to be close to you.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I find that cold weather is a great positive motivator for cats 

 

[raina21]

Some people should stick to goldfish.............or stuffed toys.



But at least she was in the pet store asking for advice. Maybe she's willing to try a few of the things @kittychick
 suggested. I've had young kittens, around 3 to 4 months old, suddenly appear in my front yard. Well-fed, socialised and very playful. Just more than someone could handle, I guess.

At least they brought them to the right place rather than dumping them in the middle of nowhere.

Goldfish are hard to keep! Not for beginners or lazy pet owners at all! And NEVER. EVER. EVER. KEEP. A FISH IN A BOWL. PERIOD. You have to know what you're doing and give them a proper LARGE tank! You have to take care of them same as any other pet.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Absolutely and thank you for your post!  A adopted a little goldfish someone was going to "flush" years ago, spent a lot of money on all the necessary supplies, studied up on maintenance, etc.  I bought companions for the little fish, because I would think anyone by him-or-herself would be lonely.  I did all I could, but they did not thrive.  It certainly is NOT easy maintaining them, especially with so many people having such a cavalier attitude about them.  As living beings, their lives absolutely do matter very much. 

 

[raina21]

Absolutely and thank you for your post!  A adopted a little goldfish someone was going to "flush" years ago, spent a lot of money on all the necessary supplies, studied up on maintenance, etc.  I bought companions for the little fish, because I would think anyone by him-or-herself would be lonely.  I did all I could, but they did not thrive.  It certainly is NOT easy maintaining them, especially with so many people having such a cavalier attitude about them.  As living beings, their lives absolutely do matter very much. 

tarasgirl06
I agree. I'm very passionate about my fish. I'm autistic and freshwater fish are one of my main interests. I actually have a 125 gallon planted (real plants) fish tank in my room lol.

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• raina21
• Feb 5, 2017

But it gets on my nerves when so many people decide to get fish but don't have a single clue how to take care of them- and then they wonder why the fish die. And then they think "Oh well. It's just a fish."

The fact that goldfish are sold as "beginner" fish amazes me. They are SO HARD to take care of. They put off so much ammonia into the water, it's insane! It's basically impossible to keep them alive in a new tank that hasn't been cycled yet- which I'm assuming is why people think that goldfish have short lifespans (which isn't true. They can easily live to be 20+ years old if taken care of properly). They also need LARGE tanks (100+ gallons) to really thrive. And even then they'd eventually need a pond because they grow so large and put off SO MUCH AMMONIA that they'd eventually be killed by ammonia poisoning unless the owner was willing to do a 75% water change every other day.

Sorry for ranting about fish. Rant over