Adopting cats (or, "Lord, help me - I'm becoming the crazy cat lady")
As I've shared recently, in June we adopted 9-month old Posy. We absolutely adore this baby girl, who has quickly acclimated to her new home and is very much a little "take charge" personality in our house. She sleeps curled closely at my side each night, and is hangin' with the "big cats", which include two 15-year olds and a 5-year old. Here she is, all tucked into her favorite spot on the bed ...
Although she hangs out with the other cats, they don't play with her, and it is clear that she longs to indulge the playful kitten still inside that growing body. She'll reach for them, actually grab at them, as they walk by. She'll bite their tails. She runs up to them and gets in their faces, all expectant-like. They just look at her rather scornfully and move away. I had thought that Penny (the 5-year old) would eventually play with her, but we've been dealing with stress-induced cystitis with that one ever since our 15-year old Pip passed and Posy came to live with us. That's getting a bit better than it was, but knowing now that Penny is susceptible to such a thing has me keeping a watchful eye on her. She is still on medication for the issue, and we are devoting lots of attention to her to try to assure her that she is "top girl" in the house. Penny seems to have made peace with having Posy around, and I often catch them lounging together, but the two do not play.
DH and I have spoken briefly about the "what ifs" of introducing one more young cat into our mix, so that Posy will have a playmate. We play with her, of course, and she seems quite happy to be living with us now, but I still feel like she needs someone to chase after and wrestle -- you know, all those antics that little ones get up to before they turn into full-fledged adults and are "above" such things, such as our oldsters.
Our two 15-year olds (brother and sister) are really starting to show their age. Breaks my heart to think of the inevitable, but it only stands to reason that we will likely not have them too much longer.
Stupid me - I make the "mistake" of looking at Petfinder for locally-available cats. Last night I came across this little guy, and my heart did a somersault. Isn't he just the most delicious little bundle of baby-boy cat? He even looks quite like Posy, and I can envision them together. Although -- I know there's no guarantee that they would take to one another. However, this little guy's bio does indicate that he is extremely playful and has been well socialized around other cats. Obviously, Posy is good with other cats and longs to play.
So ... Are we nuts to consider taking in ONE MORE? I am truly torn. Four is a good number for us. Five feels like it might be pushing into "crazy cat people" territory (but we've been called worse, I'm sure). Maybe it makes sense to wait a bit, but it also seems that in waiting, Posy is missing out on the play that she is craving. ::sigh:: I just don't know what to do at the moment. I don't want to exacerbate Penny's issues either.
(Although I will admit to sending an email inquiry about this little boy. And of course, I have already named him Percy. Lord help me.)
I know that any little change can completely throw a cat "familial dynamic" out of whack though. (But look at him! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!) So what makes sense? Making a list of pros and cons? (Well, I've already sort of done that above.) Following one's heart or erring on the side of caution and just saying no?
Comments (104)
IdaClaire
5 years agoRelated Discussions
I adopted a cat
Comments (18)What a handsome kitty Dustin is! I applaud you for giving this sweet guy a second chance at a caring forever home. I know he won't disappoint you and you will have a loyal companion for life. Definitely get him neutered and vet checked. You also want to become established with a vet because things do arise with pets that need veterinary attention. You have received some great advice from the above posters, but I would like to mention a thing or two about his diet. Don't be afraid of feeding him canned food. Canned food is SO much better for cats than dry. I am giving you a link to a wonderful website that can explain it all better than I could here, but feeding a canned diet will help prevent many illnesses and diseases that occur from a cat eating dry food. It took my one of cats becoming diabetic to get me educated in feline nutrition and in the past year I have learned so much and now all my cats are so much healthier because of it. Also another fun website you might like to consider joining is Catster. You can make Dustin his own web page and join in the various discussions in the forums. It's a fun group of people that share the common bond of being true feline lovers. I hope you and Dustin enjoy many happy, healthy years together. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can. Janet Here is a link that might be useful: Feeding Your Cat...See MoreWe adopted a shelter cat Thursday. He is about 3 years old.
Comments (11)I adopted a male stray who's 3-4 years old and he's been a joy. It took a bit of time, since I adopted him in August, but he's developed his personality and has changed a bit from the cat I brought home. He was fearful of toys and followed me everywhere. Now he goes round 10 with the over-the-door squeaky bird toy I got him and is always fascinated for hours by the Cat Dancer. He's more playful but still affectionate, mostly quiet (except when those naughty squirrels on the deck tease him to no end!) but his personality definitely blossomed during the time I've had him. I found it took him a while to really get into the sisal rope and I had to place scratchers by my mattress, which was his favorite sharpening post, and with treats he now has no interest in the mattress anymore. Here is a link that might be useful:...See MoreAdopting an older pet
Comments (19)We have four dogs, three adopted from rescue, one purchased from my nieces as a puppy (then away from me with my ex-husband for 5 years and now back to me after he passed away). The three rescue girls were 1, 3 1/2, and 9 1/2 years old at adoption. The 1 and 3 1/2 year old were adopted at the same time, the 9 1/2 year old later on. Ginger Sue, our oldest, is now 14 1/2. She went to rescue when her elderly owner had to go into a senior home. She is blind in one eye (happened after we owned her - the vet believed she must have poked a stick in her eye while we were walking her and yes, it did cost us many vet bills, but could have happened at any age). She is also deaf. And, she pees on the floor if we don't listen and take her out when she needs to go (she only gives us one chance), or if she's feeling a little off color. But she loves us (all the girls do) with her whole heart. And she understands a hand signal when we want her to 'come'. And we love her. Tessa Marie, our now 9 year old is slowing down. I believe she was abused somewhere along the way, before we owned her. She has problems, both mental and physical. But she is also so loving and so happy to be with us. She loves me and absolutely ADORES Gary. And we love her back. Lexie Lee and Sophie Louise, both in the 6 - 7 1/2 year range, are both way young in body and spirit. They are best buddies and so glad to have each other to play with. At the same time, they are very competitive with each other for our attention. They are so much fun to have around. And we love them. Once our girls are no longer with us, we will probably not own multiple dogs again. I think one will be enough, because we are getting to an age where we want to travel a little (ok, a LOT) more and it's difficult with 4 girls. But I wouldn't trade any of our puppy girls for anything. Regardless of their ages! Doesn't matter how old they are or how old they were when you got them. Puppies are all about love....See MoreHELP - our 'adopted' outdoor cat won't user her home
Comments (20)I would consider installing a cat flap on a basement window and setting up an indoor enclosure for her in the basement that you could also access for cleaning or checkin up on her - is there a room or something you could block off with a door? Or if you have animals in the barn that would help keep it warm in there - put cat flap on the barn. It would be much more comfy in the long run for the kitty if she could have a comfy warm space somewhere -those winter nights get so long! She was obviously once someone's pet - she may not be cold so much as just wanting to be sociable and be inside with people. If she had been born a true feral you would not be able to get close to here without being shredded. Have you asked around to see if anyone's missing a cat? Of course it could be someone dumped her but you shouldnt assume that - its just as possible someone is heartsick at having lost her. (Im speaking as someone whose cat went missing for 6 wks)...See MoreIdaClaire
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
writersblock (9b/10a)
5 years agoIdaClaire
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoIdaClaire
5 years agoUser
5 years agoIdaClaire
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
mayflowers
5 years agoWhen we introduced Scoot to Gracie, we brought him out after a day in the bedroom and played with him with a string toy. Gracie watched from her comfort zone until she was ready to approach. She seemed fascinated by this energetic little guy and only hissed once before she was playing right along with the toy. Within a few hours they were chasing each other on and off a chair.
We got him two days before Christmas and this photo is dated December so they only knew each other maybe a week here.
3katz4me
5 years ago
nannygoat18
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoIdaClaire
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoRaaaawwwwwrrrr! He's home!
He may not look it in pics but he seems sooooo tiny! He's precious. Very affectionate-- just purring and crawling all over us. He gives kisses.
We went ahead and brought Posy into the room where we are keeping him. She ate a bit of his kitten food and is now just lounging quietly near him. He hisses at her occasionally like a tiny snake. It's adorable. I know full well it's too early to introduce them like this, although by golly, it's going quite well. I have a strongly positive feeling about the two of them becoming fab friends.
skibby (zone 4 Vermont)
5 years agoIdaClaire
5 years agoHe is seriously all over me. I don't think I've ever had one be this snuggly right off the bat. Check out Posy wiggy-woogin in the background.
3katz4me
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoIdaClaire
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoIdaClaire
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoThank you all so much for your kind words and your interest in our "growing" little family! Baby Tonto quickly found his way into our hearts, and as with Posy, we are absolutely smitten with this kitten! He is SUCH a little lovebug. He will literally run and jump into your arms when he sees you come through the door (he's still sequestered away from the rest of the gang, but we are doing slow introductions), and he nuzzles and kisses like crazy, and has his purr-motor going constantly. I have a fuzzy pink robe that I wear in the mornings, and he has taken to kneading it like mad and suckling on it. It must remind him of mama! I just let him do it ... it'll wash!
In typical kitten fashion, Tonto is nonstop movement and it's hard to get him to sit still long enough to take his photo. This one looks slightly possessed, but this is pretty much him in action!
He manages to somehow look like a big boy in the pictures I do get of him ...
But he's still quite itty-bitty, as the size of his head will show here ...
The other cats are having mixed reactions to Tonto. While Posy initially seemed ok with him, she's started acting a bit more aggressive towards him. She sits right outside the door to "his" room, but when brought INTO his room, she sits next to the door and whines and yowls, sticking her paws out underneath the door as though to say to the cats on the other side, "Get me OUT of here, you guys!" She has run at him a few times and slapped at him, and of course there's the hissing that comes from BOTH of them. Tonto sounds like the tiniest little snake! He seems to be able to hold his own, and while he hasn't been the aggressor, he doesn't run away from the others either. After awhile, they'll sort of settle down, and even sleep within a couple of feet of each other, but they are still keeping a wary eye out. The playful interaction I'm hoping for just hasn't happened yet.
In the meantime, Posy is getting more and more integrated into the activities of the older cats. She is almost always in their presence, and they don't seem to mind her anymore. Penny especially is doing much better with her. Although they still won't play or cuddle together, Posy does seem to have infiltrated their little "posse" and more or less become one of the gang.
Old man Pooh seems to like BOTH of the young newcomers. Molly is still ambivalent and a little grouchy about the whole thing. Penny is not at ALL keen on the new baby. I'm sure all things will work themselves out in Catland, as they always do. That doesn't stop me from longing for everyone to get along well in the here and now, so I'm working on my patience as well!
Here is Posy after tiring herself out Friday evening being grouchy towards Tonto.
Perhaps having a baby makes her seem so much bigger in comparison, but I swear she has had a major growth spurt just in the past couple of weeks. This pic of Posy was taken just recently:
And this was taken on Saturday. (I love how her face is a little bit Spuds MacKenzie looking here! Remember him?) She is an amazing little cat. :-)
Finally, here's a quick snap of Penny I took yesterday. Her eyes looked so green up against the colors of the bedding. Doesn't quite translate in this photo, but I thought she was still looking pretty. :-)
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