Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Animal companions in our happy homes
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
So it's all arranged, I get Oreo at 12:30 tomorrow, delivered to my apartment. Watch this space for developments!
Oh and that's really good to hear, Huia! [ 04. January 2018, 18:06: Message edited by: Nicolemr ]
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Boogie
 Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Nicolemr: So it's all arranged, I get Oreo at 12:30 tomorrow, delivered to my apartment. Watch this space for developments!
Exciting!
-------------------- Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Yay! Welcome Oreo!
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
He's arrived, and is currently being allowed to calm down alone in my bedroom. In awhile I'll go in and try to lure him out from under the bed with some treats, but for now I'm just going to let him relax.
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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jedijudy
 Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
I hope you and Oreo become best of friends!
-------------------- Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Happy new pussycat! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Hedgehog
 Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Catching up on reading this thread, but may I just record my total amusement at going from this post on December 27: quote: Originally posted by Rossweisse: I've just spoken to the vet about integrating Beatrice (the New Cat) with Aida (the Already Resident Cat). She was concerned to hear that Aida is still growling and hissing at Beatrice when they meet in the controlled environment of one of them in the carrier and the other outside.
to this quote from January 2: quote: Originally posted by Rossweisse: My adolescent cat is bullying the Senior Cat, who outweighs her by at least two to one. Aida needs to stand up for herself.
![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif)
-------------------- "We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
Oreo has come out from under the bed, explored the bedroom thoroughly, and when last seen, was sitting on the bed, which he shared with me for a good long time before I left the bedroom. He used the litter pan once, which I think is a good sign of settling in. I'll keep him separated from Sybil for another day, then on Sunday when I should be here all day to supervise, Ill let them start interacting.
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Anglican_Brat
Shipmate
# 12349
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Posted
Hello here, I just got my first cat, a lovely black short-haired one year and half old, called Ian from the shelter. He is awfully affectionate and playful, any counsel or advice for a first-time cat owner.
-------------------- It's Reformation Day! Do your part to promote Christian unity and brotherly love and hug a schismatic.
Posts: 4332 | From: Vancouver | Registered: Feb 2007
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
Anglican_Brat, you have things the wrong way round. You don’t own a cat. It owns you and you become its servant. [ 06. January 2018, 07:05: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
-------------------- Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
Welcome to the legion of the cat owned, Anglican_Brat. It's true, your life will never be the same.
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Graven Image
Shipmate
# 8755
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Posted
Anglican_Brat no worry Ian should have you trained in no time.
Posts: 2641 | From: Third planet from the sun. USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
As someone who was only borrowed by a cat (house-and-cat-sitting last year), I'll second what everyone else is saying - he'll have you wound round his paw before you know it! ![[Smile]](smile.gif) [ 06. January 2018, 19:01: Message edited by: Piglet ]
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Kittyville
Shipmate
# 16106
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Posted
The only really important thing, AB, is to enjoy Ian. They're gorgeous and so much fun at that age, and you'll get to see his personality develop as he grows up.
Posts: 291 | From: Sydney | Registered: Dec 2010
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
With a young cat (or dog, or horse, or really any young creature), decide what you want it to be able to do. Ride in a car? Behave in restaurants? Endure the sound of the vacuum cleaner? Accept nail clipping? Sit on the back of your motorcycle? Walk on a lead? Go skydiving with you? Any and all of these things are totally possible, and there are YouTube videos of cats doing them to prove it. But you need to start accustoming the kitten to it, young. Expose it, in short bursts, early, and sweeten the experience with treats. And you too can have a cat who rides a surf board...
-------------------- Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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jacobsen
 seeker
# 14998
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Posted
Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.
-------------------- But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
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Rossweisse
 High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
Yay, Nicole!
Happy learning, Anglican_Brat!
I had to go out of town overnight for a funeral, and returned to find Inappropriate Gifts in my chair from Aida. Since I've got a long trip coming up, this could be an issue.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Little furry Inappropriate Gifts?
Where are the cats going while you're away?
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Rossweisse
 High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
The cats will stay here, with the Junior Child coming in at least once a day for purposes of scooping, changing water, making sure there's plenty of food in the auto-feeders, playing, and so on.
At this point, the JC will also have to check for turds if the Senior Cat persists in thinking outside the box. But I'm hoping she'll calm down in the next week.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
Sybil and Oreo have been devotedly ignoring each other. When they do come face to face, there is hissing and growling, but so far nothing worse. They stay in different rooms for the most part. I am still keeping them locked apart when I'm not available to supervise, but I'm pretty happy with the way things are going so far.
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Rossweisse
 High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
I thought we'd made real progress yesterday - cats eating treats in the kitchen at the same time! cats on the bed (albeit with me in between them) at the same time! - but today we're back to hissy-face and running away. I've just installed four Feliway dispensers; I hope they help.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
It may take years. I have three cats. One of them is always on the outs with the other two.
-------------------- Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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Rossweisse
 High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
I don't ask them to be buddies. I just ask them not to disturb my sleep.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
I've given up asking Spikey that! Lost cause.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Good news - the pet insurance company paid up.
Not so good news - they took 25% excess.
Ah well, good job I had the money. And we are using at least some of it to establish a 'Spikey fund' for vet bills.
She's fine, although we are still having trouble getting her to eat (and to keep down what she eats).
She's due her annual vaccination soon, so we will talk to the vet about what's next regarding the 'mass' they found on the x-rays.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy is now neither . She lost some weight due to her over active thyroid, but now that's under control there is something else going on as she is still losing. She has also developed the revolting habit of eating her own poo which, according to Google can be a symptom of something dire (unstated) that needs blood tests to diagnose. She was however considerate enough to throw up her furball in the litter tray.
Today she only went outside for a couple of hours and has mainly been asleep since coming back inside. She's still capable of climbing 6 ft fences, but I think it tires her more than it did.
We will go to the vet early next week for some blood tests.
Currently she's on top of a step-stool and she doesn't seem to be able to hold her head up as she sleeps, but jerks herself awake before she falls off. It's heart breaking.
Every time I let her out the door I wonder if I will see her again, so I am going to have to make her an 'inside only' cat at least until I get test results. She will hate it, but I don't want her to just disappear like my beloved Sam did.
Huia
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Dormouse
 Glis glis Ship's rodent
# 5954
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Posted
I am sad at the moment - I help Marie Odile and Françoise feed the "poor cats" in the village. There's a colony of about 15 strays who have a shed and a couple of other shelters to live in. M-O tirelessly works to catch & sterilise them, helped by vouchers from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. I usually feed them at the weekends. We know that several have cat leukaemia, several have cat HiV, but mostly they are in reasonable condition. However 2 of them have been going downhill. We would often find them curled up together, thin and breathing very heavily, with very snuffly noses. M-O has agonised whether to take them to the vet, to be put down, but finally, on Saturday, she found One-Eye (who had one eye) dead. Red, a ginger-and-white, has been getting iller. The Kind Vet gave him a strong antibiotic at the beginning of the week, but he has spent the time curled up on the very pissy pillow in the shed (the cat, not the Kind Vet!) Finally today, M-O and I together took the decision that he should be put down - dehydrated, not eating, not washing, we felt he was going downhill rapidly. So I stroked Red while Kind Vet administered the injections. It really was hard, because we were hoping if he could get through the winter he might have rallied. Still, for Red it was just like going to sleep, with a kind hand stroking him. He is no onger suffering. But we are sad. for Red and One Eye, his snuggle buddy.
-------------------- What are you doing for Lent? 40 days, 40 reflections, 40 acts of generosity. Join the #40acts challenge for #Lent and let's start a movement. www.40acts.org.uk
Posts: 3042 | From: 'twixt les Bois Noirs & Les Monts de la Madeleine | Registered: May 2004
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Fredegund
Shipmate
# 17952
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Posted
I'm so sorry Dormouse. We used to run a feral cat charity and it was horrible when cats you'd been feeding for years went downhill and had to be put to sleep, or in some ways worse, just vanished. High incidences of FelV were common. It also meant we had to be careful to test before rehoming tamed kittens.
And Huia Your fluffy one feels almost like a neighbour having read about her. I do hope something can be done to make her comfortable.
-------------------- Pax et bonum
Posts: 117 | From: Shakespeare's County | Registered: Jan 2014
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
-------------------- Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Prayers for Dormouse and Huia.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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jedijudy
 Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Gill H: Prayers for Dormouse and Huia.
Yes, indeed. ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
-------------------- Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
Oh Huia, I'm so sorry. I hope they find what's wrong and they can do something about it.
Dormouse, sorry for your loss. At least they are together again now.
Meanwhile, I have let Oreo and Sybil loose together. They do not like each other but at least they are mostly avoiding each other rather than fighting. Still hissing and growling when they do encounter each other, and there's been some minor swatting at each other.
-------------------- On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
{{{Dormouse and Huia}}}
for G-P f&f, and RIP Red and One-Eye.
You and Marie-Odile did the right thing, Dormouse - now they're together in pussycat heaven.
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Rossweisse
 High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
Huia
Dormouse
I'm extremely concerned. After several good sessions with Aida this morning, I went off to a concert and returned to find that she had urinated in my chair. I'm leaving Thursday for two weeks, and I don't know what to do. Any suggestions (and prayer) would be most welcome.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
For Dormouse, Huia and Rossweisse
Rossweisse, if your cat is 'acting out', I've had some success sprinkling ground pepper onto chair seats to discourage urination. But there may be some organic problem, so I don't know. [ 13. January 2018, 04:36: Message edited by: MaryLouise ]
-------------------- “As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Georgie-Porgy seems to be perking up a bit. We have an appointment for blood tests and a check up on Friday. I think she, like me, appreciates the cooler days more.
She went out earlier today but was waiting to come back in when I came home from shopping
She is now fast asleep in her suitcase (chosen bed).
Huia
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Rossweisse
 High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by MaryLouise: ...Rossweisse, if your cat is 'acting out', I've had some success sprinkling ground pepper onto chair seats to discourage urination. But there may be some organic problem, so I don't know.
Thank you, MaryLouise. Aida is upset by the presence of Beatrice; when she acted out, I had a painter working in the house as well. I'm sure he was washing brushes and whatnot in the part of the lower level where the boxes and food dishes are kept, and that triggered it.
I'm going to separate the cats for a while, and then try again.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
Good luck, Rossweisse. That sounds such an understandable trigger.
My cat was upset by a visitor who wouldn't let her into the guest bedroom, so she began urinating on a chair used by the guest(who was not a cat lover). I sprinkled a few dried chilli flakes on the seat and the behaviour stopped.
-------------------- “As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Two years ago today, Spikey came into our lives.
Since we have no idea when her actual birthday is - happy birthday Spikey!
We don’t know how old she is either - the rescue home had her down as 17 but the vet thinks more like 14 or so. Ageing backwards gracefully!
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
When my cat disapproves of a house guest he ostentatiously poops in the guest bathroom basin. Really annoying.
-------------------- Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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Rossweisse
 High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
I just hope I'm pinning the bad behavior on the right cat. Something happened today to make me uncertain of it.
-------------------- I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Brenda Clough: When my cat disapproves of a house guest he ostentatiously poops in the guest bathroom basin. Really annoying.
So much for cats' reputation for being subtle
When Philip,the computer repairman visits Georgie tries to sit in his lap. he is a lovely man and she obviously has a crush on him.
Huia
-------------------- Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Continuing the theme...
On Friday I was working from home as someone was coming to measure the flat (the landlord is re-mortgaging).
For some reason Spikey was scared by him - she is sometimes with strangers. But whereas usually she hides under the sofa or the bed, on this occasion she started running to different places and trying to wee everywhere.
Cue a Fawlty Towers style scene of him trying to measure every room, while I chase Spikey from room to room, keep picking her up and saying 'no, not there, not there!' and then grabbing a mop...
Eventually I shut her in the bathroom, where she made a heck of mess of the floor, but at least it was only one room and easily cleaned.
On a more serious note, the wee looked worryingly pink, but perhaps it was just the contrast with the floor. I grabbed a sample kit from the vet and have managed to get a sample, which looks fine (as far as I know, I don't spend much time looking at cat's wee).
She's due at the vet today for her annual vaccine anyway, so I'm hoping all is well.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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jedijudy
 Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
For Spikey and her faithful staff. ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
-------------------- Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
{{{Spikey and Gill}}} ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
-------------------- I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander. alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Thank you!
Turns out the urine was fine but a bit dilute, so now we look at kidneys...
The Spikey fund is now empty again! Expensive business.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Spikey is acting very strangely. She is going back to all the spots she weed in on Friday, and trying to wee there again. Even though there is no-one here to scare her now.
And sometimes it's a little bit pink - again...
I will try Rossweisse's 'chilli flakes' deterrent.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
Gill, one of my small dogs has a recurring habit of licking a hot spot on her front paw when she is upset or scared by something. For a week or so after the upset she keeps licking as a compulsive habit, then she stops when the spot is raw and painful. I have found ways to distract her by playing with her when she starts licking, putting her outside in the garden to chase butterflies or by giving her a biscuit. She is easily distracted and forgets her ritual.
-------------------- “As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Cathscats
Shipmate
# 17827
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Posted
Cats wee-ing in various places is, I think usually a sign of stress. Mine used to try it when they were being bullied by the big white thing over the fence, who used to enter our home, eat their food and mark it as his territory (grrr). Now that he has gone to the last happy hunting ground they have stopped that (hooray!).
But as for cats learning to get along... When I got mine from the rescue place, they said that since I was getting two kittens, why not take the mother along as well, so that she would not lose them all. Ok, why not, we said. Within weeks, once they were well and truly weaned, she was growling, spitting, beating them up. That was eight years ago. We only have one of the "kittens" now, Domino, and mother Maisie still spits and hisses at her, and sometimes still stalks and attacks, though she doesn't seem to really hurt. The other day I watched her leap off a windowsill, and with her front paws, push her daughter, now a healthy 8 year old, under the chest of drawers. Mind you, sometimes Domino, seemingly the timid daughter, takes the passive-aggressive line and deliberately sits on Maisie's spot, or gets herself into a place of vantage to look down on her mother. All great fun!
-------------------- "...damp hands and theological doubts - the two always seem to go together..." (O. Douglas, "The Setons")
Posts: 176 | From: Central Highlands | Registered: Sep 2013
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Gill H
 Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Sigh. She's still doing it. Seems really stressed and clingy.
I have read that using cleaner with orange oil may help as they don't like the smell. Will try and get some tomorrow.
-------------------- *sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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