Please tell us! I saw your comment that the new kitty was nibbling on your fingers! This was the first I had heard! Color, type, age, etc., please! We want to welcome the new member to the family! Bluedaze and Kitty will want to hear as well!
Our beloved 19 year old cat was finally diagnosed with lung cancer on Christmas eve. (The idiot male vet would not listen to me when I told him a gazillion times she was having trouble breathing. It was only when he was off on vacation that a female vet saw her during yet another emergency visit, took one look, and said "she's having trouble breathing." Gosh, do ya think???) She also had fluid building up around her heart. There wasn't anything to be done except try to keep her comfortable, and even that was clearly impossible any more by that weekend. When we got back from having her put to sleep, my husband, without a word, packed up all the cat paraphernalia and put it in the garage. She was his special baby, and the stress really showed ... his symptoms got a lot worse.
After watching me cry my eyes out for several days, he asked when we would get another cat. So we went to a local cat rescue center to see what they might have. I wanted a cat old enough to be properly socialized, but young enough to adapt readily to a new home (and, preferably, young enough to not have any serious health issues for a VERY long time -- we lost our other cat, age 18, a little over a year ago after battling intestinal lymphoma for several months) -- say, between 6 and 18 months. They brought out a few cats for me to play with. (My husband was standing well back from the "play pen" and refused to get involved). They were all sweet enough, but none really tugged at my heart strings. Then the lady said she had a brother and sister, younger than I'd requested but she thought I should see them. Two tiny balls of fluff ... the brother is entirely black, the sister black with white paws and bib, and a white streak down one side of her nose. You should have seen the look on my husband's face ... awe and excitement.
So much for being sensible.
The rescue group goes through this big evaluation exercise, to make sure the prospective parents will care for their cats properly, so we couldn't take the kittens home until the following day. Which was OK, since it gave me time to brush up on caring for a kitten (not having had a kitten in the house for nineteen years) and prepare a list of questions and things to buy. Husband remained confused, asked me a gazillion times what was going on and was still very worried that I was "sick".
So next day, they called with the glad tidings that we'd been approved. We filled out all the adoption forms, stocked up on new toys, a cat bed (by far the most expensive thing we bought, and they won't go near it, of course), kitten food and treats, the type of litter they were used to, and so on and so forth, and fought off another couple who tried to convince us we should let them have our babies.
The foster home clearly did an excellent job of socializing the kittens ... their manners are impeccable, and they are extraordinarily affectionate. They haven't shown any fear at all; they were out of the carrier the second I opened the door, they think the house is a big, delightful new toy, and they zoomed all over inspecting it and playing tag and hide-and-go-pounce. We're used to old and mellow, of course, and my husband started asking me exactly how many kittens we'd gotten. He would be absolutely certain they were both in the bedroom, and then "another one" would pop out from under the living room couch. He finally concluded we had five. The little boy is "she", and the little girl appears to be genderless, referred to as "the one with the white." Never did figure out what he thought the other three were.
I had no trouble coming up with a list of names for the little boy. The girl, now, that was another matter. "Romeo" was one of the possible names for the boy, since his preferred spot is nestled against my neck nibbling on my earlobe, so I thought maybe "Juliet" for the girl. My husband was agreeable to all the names for the boy, but wrinkled up his nose at "Juliet". Well, the only other name I could come up with for her -- it was the first thing I thought of when I saw her, and after that, nothing else seemed to fit -- was Mr. Mistoffelees. Husband had made it quite clear when we were naming our kittens last time that in his opinion, a cat simply does not have a two-word name, so I was a little hesitant to suggest it. But when I did, he looked at me very strangely, and said that was exactly what he thought of the minute he saw her. I didn't have to explain the reference at all. So Mr. Mistoffelees it is, and until she grows into a name that much bigger than she is, Mistee for short. I've settled on Shadow for the boy, both for his coloring and because he is constantly under foot, in my lap, on my shoulder, on my pillow purring madly in my ear ... every time I sit at the computer, I look down and there he is, gazing woefully up at me, wanting to know why I haven't picked him up yet. He is still "she" to my husband, and I doubt husband will ever learn his name. I'm not so sure he remembers Mistee's name now, either. But he has finally concluded that we have only two kittens, and spends all day keeping tabs on them and telling me what they're up to.
Oh Sunshyne, how exciting for you. DH will enjoy these two so much. it wont matter to them if he calls her him..mine did that before AD..:) and of course the company and affection for you will be overwhelming! happy for you, Divvi
Sunshyne, When our last new kittens were little, our black & white, Johnny Cash, was always up on the computer desk, in front of the moniotor when I was on line. I wear jumpers with t-shorts or sweatshirts under them, and took to tucking him inside the top, like a pocket. He would cuddle there just fine. Now he's 3 years and still thinks the best place to be is across my chest, and sometimes he still tries to get into the "pocket". He prefers to be covered. He's ou biggest cat--easily 3 feet-nose to tail tip and very mellow.
Sunshyne, so sorry about your 19 yr. old. It's heart wrenching to lose a "family member." The rest of your story was just great. Very exciting & I am sure you and your husband will enjoy them. Very good news!
Sunshyne-I'm sure you all deserve each other. Getting two was great-that way you'll never know which one got into trouble. Keep us posted. Dennis and Meeko
bluedaze, I am quite sure I'll know which one got into trouble ... both of 'em. <grin> They do everything together. Mistee is very jealous of any time Shadow spends on my lap (or elsewhere on my person), so I usually end up with one on shoulder and one on my my lap (protesting), or two on my lap fighting over which is on top, or two on my shoulders with me not getting anything done. They play together, they decide it's time to eat or drink at the same time (so I've had to give them two water bowls and two food bowls side by side), and when they've worn each other out, they curl up to sleep together.
carosi, do you mean Shadow isn't going to outgrow his penchant for my earlobe, and I'm going to have to learn how to work my computer one-handed permanently? It sure does take a lot longer that way.
Kitty, thanks for the sympathy. It is amazing how much it hurts. (The first time Shadow decided to help me on the computer, I thought of you and your white cat.)
Sunshyne, I'm so sorry about the loss of your long-time companion. Our pets bring so much joy, and leave such a hole in our hearts when they depart.
Shadow and Mistee sound delightful. You were so smart to get two. They'll be such great company for each other and for you and your DH. They're an endless source of amusement, aren't they? I foster kittens for a group here and always love having them around. So different from my older cats, all of whom are wonderful. Enjoy, enjoy!
Oh, but folly, how on earth can you give them up when it's time to go to their forever home? I'd be in serious danger of being a cat hoarder if I didn't keep a very firm grip on myself.
Congratulations, Sunshyne! on new mommyhood. If you haven't tried it, put out a box or two for them to pop in and out of. My newest two yearlings are forever chasing each other and popping up and down now. Much to my husband's delight!
Sunshyne, since I have 5 of my own, like you I have to keep a very firm grip, and once in awhile I slip up. The trick is in reminding myself, as one batch of fosters is ready to go back to the shelter for neutering and adoption, that a new group will soon be in (temporary) residence.
Paper grocery bags are also conducive to great adventures.
My 'Nueve' is pleased to know you have adopted two of her clan. She likes to keep up on such things. Cats are new to me, 'Nueve' is nine, have had her only for a year, but she is quite a joy. She received a catnip toy for Christmas from her doggie cousin & she's been a bit bonkers ever since.
Little boxes that she is way too big for are my cat's favorite. She crawls up into them to nap. Still loves to crawl up into a paper bag. I have shutters on the downstairs windows, which she has recently trained me to open, and her favorite pastime now is to howl if one of the tomcats come onto her territory. Several neighbors have 3, Oscar, a Maine Coon, Napoleon, a real tom cat, and Woodoo, (not Voodoo) over whom she is smitten. (She won't howl & just jumps from window to window to get a glimpse of him!) All 3 owned by different neighbors, so we have good cat chats. My girl doesn't go out unsupervised, in fact, she is afraid to be out alone.
Why is it that the cat owners are vocal & we hear very little from dog owners? Haven't tried the laser light, feared the danger. But on my flight to NY there was one in the mag. that said it had a mirror inside, eliminating the danger. Unfortunately, I left the mag. on the plane.
Dang! I was that close to getting two kitties when I adopted Noche`. I so wish I'd gotten two at the same time. He's 7 months old now and I sincerely doubt that he would take kindly to another cat. When we get back from our trip to Missouri, I may go see about a spayed female. I'm so jealous of Sunshyne having two. How much fun is that?
Noche` loves aluminum foil wadded up into a ball. He also likes a yarn ball hung on a string on the door knob. He enjoys stealing the pens and pencils out of my pencil cup. I find them all over the house. He also gets into my makeup basket and takes of with whatever he can get ahold of. We find his little 'staches' all over the house. He's so funny.
Sunshyne, I'm really sorry about you old friend, but I know these little guys will bring you and DH much joy!
Most cats will adjust very well to a new cat, if introduced properly, especially when they're as young as your Noche. (When they are as old as my geri cat was, they don't have the energy to tolerate a frisky kitten, and some of them tend to be grumpy if asked to share their home at that point in their lives.)
Be sure you have enough litter boxes (the rule of thumb is one for each cat, plus one more.)
One really good thing to use is Feliway Cat Pheromone Spray (which you can get online or at places like Petco.) Put a little on your hands and rub it on the kitten (don't spray directly on the kitten.) This is a good product to use when one of your cats has to go to the vet, too. They can come home smelling funny to the at-home cat, which can drive the at-home cat nuts.
After months of discussing the matter, my two Siamese boys now do just what I wanted them to do: chase each other all over the house and otherwise interact. However, the earlier one, Chimi, still considers himself the Alpha almost-male. At night he is the one who sits on my lap and won't let Max come near. In the morning, Max is allowed on my lap while I read the paper, and CHimi stays away. Agreed about all the homemade toys. The only bought-n ones my cats love are the little catnip pillows I can get at the grocery called "Kitty Can't Cope" sacks (don't you love the name!) and the small little toy mice.
I got more than a year ago a couple of "cat cubes" from Amazon - they fasten together, they're lightweight nylon and collapse. You can still get them, they're about $10; Ikea has something similar for $8 for one but it doesn't attach to another. The virtue of the cubes is that you can rearrange them (you can get more than 2). Mine adore them. The other toys I've bought - a tunnel, an elaborate scratching post that is sometimes used but obviously not preferred to the sofa back - weren't worth the money. These are. As always BUY THROUGH JOAN FROM AMAZON!
Still ignoring the expensive bed. Well, not entirely, one did accidentally sit down on top of it during a mad chase...
Those little mice are favorites of all cats, I think. The rescue group lady gave me a toy about the same size and same general idea, but it's an octopus -- a little round, stuffed ball with eight floppy felt legs. This is even more beloved than the mice, but every time I catch sight of it out of the corner of my eye ... tarantula!!! Acckkk!!!
I had one of those reed baskets with handles that Christmas food gifts come in -- husband put an old towel in it, and all cats (new kittens included) have loved to curl up in that.
Another toy (bought) that all my cats have loved is a simple little puffball (or mouse) on a long spring, attached to a base. The spring flops back and forth, and the cats go haywire trying to catch the puffball and pin it down.
briegull, those cat cubes look interesting. May try those. All of my babies have loved the scratching posts that are designed as a series of platforms -- the taller, the better. They climb up and down, perch up at the top, and play king-of-the-hill with each other. Never seen 'em actually using these devices as scratching posts, but they do SOME good on the claws just by virtue of all the running up and down.
Sunshyne, hope you saved your receipt. Try a small cardboard box. I think they like to feel enclosed on the sides. When my Katrina was younger, she loved the small plastic balls that have openings in them. She would chase & pick them up with the holes for hours. (Not a good idea if the LO is prone to slipping on one.) She's a big girl now, and no interest in those anymore. I also had a "fishing pole" with feathers on the bottom that she used to love to try to catch, it's up against a wall collecting dust. Now her favorite thing is to sit right in front of my monitor, so I have to move her neck from side to side to see what I am typing. I try to type when she's napping, like now. She gets to read all my emails first. <grin> And she does NOT like having her head moved.
As I have posted before, we can't have cats because of my wife's allergy to them. Right now she is sitting in her chair with a large "stuffed" cat and a bear made of alpaca fur in her lap, stroking them and talking to them. They just sit there and don't run away or chew on fingers or toes.
Kitty, you'll love this. When we're watching Animal Planet, Shadow is right there in front of the TV, watching every move. When the commercials come on, he comes back to me or to husband for a little tummy rub. When the show comes back on ... back to the TV.
Marsh, you are indeed fortunate your wife likes the stuffed animals because you don't have to fool with litter box, etc. Now, down the road, when you are on your own, I would recommend a live kitty for company for yourself.
HELP!! I fell this morning while doing a good deed. My knee is fractured and I am in a whole leg splint in the hope surgery will not be needed. Any suggestions on cleaning the litter box as I can't bend my knee. I do have good friends but don't want to call on them for that-saving SOS for other things.
I have a little stuffed frog for Noche`. He tolerates that guy. He also has a scratching post that sits there. He preferrs to scratch like crazy on the back door hemp mat. He LOVES that mat. He found an angle worm in it one day and did he ever have fun. Fresh meat. Now he thinks he's a hunter.
He has a little pink ball about the size of a golf ball. He plays with that thing and then it disappears. Probably under the couch or something. It'll be gone for a week and then all of a sudden he finds it. He hauls it around in his mouth and wants us to toss it. Then is disappears again. Oh, well.
How can something as small and furry bring so much joy?
bluedaze, how horrible!!! I hope that it heals without surgery too!! Can you put the kitty litter on your clothes dryer and have the cat jump up there to use it? I did that so that the dogs wouldn't eat it, and the cat didn't mind. It would make it so that you didn't have to bend over.
blluedaze - I am so sorry you are having to go through this on top of everything else. I hope it is not too bad....Can you put the litter boxes up on something, like a bench so you can reach without bending? Depends on how many you have. is there a preteen in your neighborhood who wouldn't object to scooping the litterbox? I use those packages of liners that have about 12 layers and you pull up the top one and left the good litter sift back through and discard the lumps. I put the bag of lumps into a old grocery bag and dispose in the garbage.
Oh bluedaze, just what you needed right now. Terrible! When I broke my elbows, I invented all sorts of extender things, like using tongs to pick up the soap to bathe myself. Also attached a fork to a knife with duct tape so the fork could reach my mouth. Can you attach the scoop to a broom stick end or measuring stick with duct tape? I'll keep on trying to think of things. You've really been through it this week. Hope you're not in pain. I had to ask for stronger pain medication, because what they gave me didn't make a dent. Mary's idea seems good too, but it would require bending at least one time. Maybe that one time would be o.k. for a friend.
Senior cat is too old to jump. Like Imohr I use (really the cats) use the liner packs. To save money I had been scooping when they aren't too bad. I'll bite the bullet and change them daily. I'll walk a neighbor through the complete change. Meeko thinks my leg out straight in the splint is another toy. He is using my leg as a spring board to higher places. I thought cats empathize
bluedaze, I found that by switching to Tidy Cats for small spaces for multiple cats it eliminated the need for liners. I had been using some sort of expensive white crystals, & switched. What a difference! The urine never hits the bottom of the pan & the clumps make it so much easier. Think we've already discussed litter types before way back. Also, you don't have to clean as often. I don't have a small space (her litter box is HUGE) nor multiple cats, but I love this stuff.
Oh my gawd, bluedaze, don't DO that. Ouch ouch ouch.
Can you put the box next to a chair (easy chair or something like that), so you can lean over to one side to scoop? Other than that, Kitty's idea about an extension taped onto the scooper is the only thing that sounds feasible if you cat can't jump up (aside from asking your neighbors to chip in.) Unless your neighbor could set up a ramp so the cat can walk to a higher location?
Sunshyne, so cute! Katrina sometimes likes Animal Planet, but the tv is too far away. (No sitting space.) I tried putting a chair up to it, but she prefers to be right up to the monitor. Like yours, she totally loses interest when a human comes on, has to be animals moving & making noises.
This is an embarrassing question. My son is computer systems engineer & I'm too embarrassed to ask him. I read about a DVD made especially for cats. It seems that there are a few colors cats can't see, and they don't use those colors. My question is: can you play a DVD on your computer?
Kitty-my daughter plays that DVD om her TV and her three cats love it. I just got out of the shower-being VERY careful not to bend my knee while out of my splint. My hair is very long and washing in the sink wouldn't have worked. I'm hurting but at least feel human. Do you think Gourdchipper would drive down and help me shave my legs?
Kitty, DVDs play on computers, but some DVDs are copyright and only play with certain software. I think that's becoming less common though. You can download the files you need (when you put a dvd in and it says you need something special, then google that special software and find out how to get it, but you may have to pay). I doubt that a cat-toy dvd would require anything special.
Okay, Kitty, I just tried a dvd from netflix in both my 1-year-old macbook and my Dell xp laptop which is several years old. Both went in and started playing without a problem. (can't wait till tonite to watch the Librarian II)
If you have a cd-dvd rom drive, you should be able to play a movie. Most computers in the last five years do have this as a matter of course. I think you have a pc. Go into the control panel (from the Start menu, lower left-hand side) Choose system/hardware/device manager - then you'll see a list of what your pc has. It will almost certainly say DVD-CDRom drives and under that it will say if it is a DVD drive (as opposed to just plain CD). If that's the case, then go get a DVD from somewhere in the house or neighbor or drugstore for $1 - and put it in. IT WILL NOT BE DAMAGED.
Quite probably it will start right up, but you might be asked what to open it with - Media Player or DVD player, whatever. If one doesn't work, try another. If you can't get it OUT of the drive, right-click on its image (which should be on the desktop) and choose Eject.
C'mon now bluedaze, please tell me that all this business about a fractured knee is just a ruse to get me to come down and work on that honey doo list? I draw the line, however, at scooping kitty litter (hate to admit in this company that I'm not a cat person) and I don't have any experience in shaving ladies' legs --= BUT I COULD LEARN! Reminds me of an exchange I had with Frances just an hour or so ago -- I'd helped her potty and was pulling up her panties (CVS brand) when she complained that they didn't feel right. I got a big grin out of her when I said "Well what do men know about pulling up ladies' panties -- they know lots more about pulling them down!"