You did the best you could for a lost, little stray kitty. Jasper is commited to you and wants to be an only cat. Jayden, I'm sure, will find the home he wants.

What ever happened with that guy who was allergic to cats?

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that things went so badly. I think it's hard for unrelated male cats to "merge" sometimes. You certainly gave it a good go, vacuumfreak...sounds like both boys will be happier this way. Take care...

I find it harder to integrate females into a house. I brought a male kitten in last year, and everything went fine. Not so with bringing some females in. My two boys are the best behaved in the house. I won't ever add to the cat population in this house and as they die, I definitely won't replace them. I will never have more than three and probably two. Sorry it didn't work out for you, but they all have their personalites and you gave it your best.

Some cats just don't want other cats around. I had a co-worker that adopted a cat I was fostering that had been abandoned at our workplace. I also at the time had a leukemia cat, so Cinnamon, the foster cat, had to be kept isolated in a bedroom to prevent her from being exposed to my other cat. Anyway, around 6 months after she adopted Cinnamon my leukemia cat passed away. At that point, my co-worker asked if I would like to take Cinnamon back, because she was worried about her. Her other cat just wouldn't accept Cinnamon, and kept Cinnamon cowed under a bed most of the time. Now, part of that is Cinnamon's personality, which is a whole 'nother story, but it was also a problem that cat number 1 would absolutely not accept another cat into the household. My co-worker loved Cinnamon very much, enough to give her up. Cinnamon is back at my home as her forever home.

These things happen, Bobby. You did your best, and I bet Jayden will be better off in his new future home. You did the most loving thing, I think.

Sally

Sorry that Jayden didn't work out with Jasper. Maybe one of your friends would go adopt Jayden. It's a shame he has to sit in a shelter.

I'm sorry that it didn't work out between the two -- but you certainly tried your best, and gave Jayden a shot at a better life.

My two still get into scraps daily -- 10 months after Chloe moved in with us. Nothing as severe as what you've described, but they do pounce and roll and scream and kick. Clumps of loose fur floating in the air, but I've never seen any blood on either of them.

I break them up with a shout or a tossed pillow, and occassionally - if they seem bent on a pattern of destruction - one or both have to go to their room for a time out.

I've recently re-evaluated my feelings about the "fighting" when I watched them lolling at my feet on a relaxed Saturday afternoon recently. They had been peacefully lounging for about an hour or so when Chloe rolled over, gently took Frank's tail in her paws -- and bit it. And the chase was on!

Sounds like your two were a lot more serious about it. Glad you're back to a calmer household -- and it sounds like Jasper knows how good he's got it!

Do you think you'll try a second cat again? Perhaps a younger cat, or a female?

Awwww Bobby, I'm sorry it didn't work out between Jasper and Jayden. But you tried your best. I hope Jayden gets a new forever home soon.

Pranjal

What a shame there was no way to separate them until they could be integrated slowly. Cats don't immediately get along when tossed into a shared environment. They need to be segregated and introduced slowly over time.

I think I just got two cats that were each happier being an only cat. I'm still sad over it and miss the little guy terribly. However, Jasper is like a whole new cat. Like he was when I got him almost a year ago! He kneaded me this morning for the first time in months. He sits on the back of my chair when I'm online and on the sofa by me when I'm watchint TV. He purrs incessantly now and licks almost too much. He doesn't seem to need or want a companion cat. I do however, and now I can't use him as the excuse for getting one! I've got to do what's best for him, and he really seems to enjoy being one on one. Of course I had no way of knowing until I tried it!

I know how much you wanted things to work out between the kitties, but I think you did the right thing for Jasper. My personal belief is that a person's primary responsibility is for the kids that you already have, and that subsequent kids are secondary to the happiness and well-being of the first. Not that you need my approval, but if you subscribe to the same philosophy, then you of course did the right thing. Jasper is your baby, and nothing should come between the relationship you have with him, and you made sure that was the case. I'm sure that Jayden will find a fantastic single-pet home, especially with all the socialization you put into him. Sorry things didn't work out, but glad you were able to make the tough decision.