The last time I brought in a new stray she lived in a bathroom for a while and they sniffed each other under the door. This was probably for a week. Then the newcomer was brought out for supervised periods of time - however long I could spend watching over everyone. I can't remember how long we went on like that - not too long - until everyone seemed to behave nicely. They really adjusted to each other pretty quickly. I had two neutered males and the new cat was a fully functional female. In short order she start going into heat and one of the boys attempted to go into action. I quickly made an appointment to get her spayed. She and that cat always got along better than the other one. They all got along fine but she'd curl up and sleep with him but not the other one.

I think I have only a hint of how a mother feels when they have a child that is too young or cannot communicate. They get sick and you blindly have to trust someone else to take care of them. My heart goes out to those moms that have the courage and strength to cope with children with life-threatening illness....I can only imagine. I try hard to keep a healthy perspective, but he IS my baby. Yes, my kitties have peed, pooped and thrown up on me. I keep cleaning it up and going on. I wouldn't have it any other way. My Lucky is an exceptional cat. (Iknow, I know...) I got him at about 3 weeks old from the weeds in the yard. He was born with a deformed back leg and I think his momma abandoned him. So I became his momma. Bottled fed, cuddled and cradled him. People that have seen us together have said "that cat is in love with you!" It's true. He sleeps like a baby in my arms, and gazes into my eyes. His favorite song is "you are my sunshine" He comes to me when I call. He waits for me at the door to come home. After dinner, he wants me to pick him while I sit at the table. He just wants me to cradle him...no food. I have a sling I made to carry him in...he likes to be in it when I do dishes. Everynight when I sit to watch a little TV he pulls up as tight as he can beside me, I hold out my arm and he sits on his butt upright and leans against me and the back of sofa. He gets carried to bed every night...And every morning is waiting at the bottom for his momma snuggle time. When I take him to the vet, he hugs me, clinging like a toddler. I take him out of the carrier and hold him the whole time, even in the waiting room. Even the vet says he is unusually loving. He sits patiently on my lap when I trim his toenails...when his butt is dirty (missing leg problem) he lets me wash him. When I am sick he never leaves me. Can you tell I love the little guy?

Tinker, I remember those posts you made. I'm so glad that everything is working out for you! I totally understand the whole second guessing thing. Right now I have my "kitchen in a bag" I bring with me to show everyone. In the bag is a sample of my granite, handles, flooring and cabinet paint. My husband thinks I'm crazy. (in a good way!). I look forward to seeing photos of your new kitchen. Barb

I have a similar reaction.. I may feel really hungry but then start to eat and can only eat very little. Often I have a lot of gas pain etc. after eating. I used to eat whatever I wanted as well with no worries but when my other menopause symptoms developed, the nausea and eating issues surfaced as well. I also developed a sudden intolerance of beer and wine to the point of feeling very sick ( headaches, nausea etc) the next day. I can tolerate a bit of whiskey but I really just avoid alcohol now. I also developed issues with burping which I never had before as well! I have had a full gastrointestinal workup and no issues have shown up. The Dr decided to slap me with a diagnosis of IBS-C because of the constipation that has also developed. I would however as suggested above, see a gastroenterologist just to be sure. However you are certainly not alone in these changes. Menopause has been a crazy ride and I can see why they call it "The Change"!