Archive through August 18, 2013

[wshytle]

Well, I don't know what we can call it but the little rascal is here now. I went out and fed her alone this morning and she showed her face. A while ago I was out there calling her and she answered from inside the old corn crib. I could see her way in the back but she wouldn't advance towards me at all. Barney came up and I picked him up so he could look in and maybe see her. She "meowed" and I had to put him down before he opened me up. I have to sit that boy down and have a long talk I guess.

Anyway, what do yall think about my catching her in a havahart trap???? I know it would scare the daylights out of her but might expedite matters as well. It will be cold weather before we know it too and I want to get her to a vet asap. I could then do like I did with both Barney and Millie. I could keep her in the front bedroom and work with her a lot easier. Barney took quite a while before he warmed up to me but it eventually happened. He's my main (only) man now.

 

[mfrade]

I think it's a good idea to catch him/her.. not the best as it will scare it but then you can be in control and protect it from harm from others.

My two cents.

 

[wshytle]

Thanks Mike-

That's what I was thinking. It's better for her to be scared for a little while and eventually see nothing but safety around her.

My other felines are going to raise hell!

The room I will use is Graygirls little "escape" form the world but lately she has shown interest in a small cardboard box I threw out on the floor so maybe I can situate it somewhere where she will still be comfortable. It seems she has been pissed at me for a while now with the introduction of two additional kittens/cats. I just don't know what to expect with an additional feline. It just takes her a long time apparently to adjust. She could be a lot of help but rather be queen bitch sometimes instead.

As far as the other two are concerned I really don't know what to expect. Time will tell.

 

[mgwin]

Wayne,

It will be rough at first, but that will probably be the only way for you to make friends with the cat.
We had to do the same thing with our inside cat "Sparky". He was a feral cat, and very scared of people. He would claw, bite, and scream anytime someone would pick him up. Leather gloves were a must for several weeks. It took a while, but he has tamed very well considering what he has been through. We believe he was abused as a small kitten, due to his limp, and being so terrified of people. He still gets scared at times.

 

[cmcleod]

Kraig, how is it going with the new black kitty that was visiting at your place?

Wayne, yes I agree that trapping the wee one is the best since it will be getting colder in a few months. I would suggest you do it during the day,when you can be around and attentive to check the trap often, so you can rescue " her" from it and take her into the house. That way she will be the least traumatized by the catch.? Also I would put a ' scented' item in the trap. I would suggest you keep a carrier in the bedroom so she can assimilate to that as well, and hopefully she will use it , so when going to the vet will be the least eventful, and also put a scented item in there. If you have a calm, welcoming approuch with the new little one your other kids will too. When we are anxious, they become that way too. They are so sensitive to our energy.

The other day I was having a bad anxiety day, due to pain and when I laid on the couch, Hannah stayed with me the whole time while I slept on two occassions. Usuallay she will lay with me for awhile then leave once I fal asleep, but I guess she knew I was really snuggling and so she was overly vigilent. Its amazing how empathetic kitties are.

I got a good chuckle the other day when doing the power walk with Fancy. Jules, the neighbors Brittney Spainiel was loose in their yard as the girls were out. I wasn't worried about her chasing Fancy as they are buds. As we started our walk, we go by Jules kennel and Fancy could see she was out, so he was watchful. Often he wants to stop at her kennel and say hello. When he does that he takes the lead off the alley way and to her kennel and the peep noses. We walked , as we got near her kennel, she ran into it, as though she couldnt greet us outside the cage. That was cute. I said hi to her and Fancy uttered a meow hello and we continued on. Once we got up to our turn around, suddenly Jules comes running like a bat out of hell around the old garage. She barks at Fanc and takes short leaps, like she's going to go at him, but she stays on the grass and doesnt step on the alley way. Fancy looks to me like am I suppose to act afraid? lol. He arched just a tad and the hairs on his back raised just a wee bit and his tail got minimally bushy, as though he had to act like he was scared but not really. Then as quickly as Jules appeared, she disappeared and Fancy, showing no concerned continued on our walk and when we got back to the house he wanted to keep walking so we went to the other end of the alley, turned around and I said you can collapse when we get back to the house, and the second we were parrarell with the patio, he collapes. Good Boy Fancy. lol.

Cath

 

[kmcconaughey]

Cathleen, the black cat has only been back once (that I'm aware of) since I posted the photos of him. It was a late night visit and only for a brief time, just long enough to annoy Tots and Selah.

 

[wshytle]

I set the havahart trap yesterday and checked it every hour or so. I took the food bowl away when I put the trap out too. Last evening I went to get the trap because I wasn't going to leave it out all night and the darn tuna was gone. That little booger ate the bait without setting off the trap. I think she will be easier to catch now that she's gone in and eaten something. I'm going to grease up the trip mechanism so if a mosquito lands it will trip.

 

[cmcleod]

Kraig, well, I'm sure Selah and Tots are darn glad the intruder is gone. lol. Best for them too, since one never knows the health of a stray, and that a huge threat to healthy kids.!

Wayne, well that little one is light on her feet, ey? since she ate the tuna, baiting it with such goodies will bring her back quickly. Good luck today. Hopefully you can trap her and get her in the house.

Cathleen

 

[mfrade]

Wayne, HAH! The little booger has me in stiches! That'll learn ya!

Keep at it, you'll catch'em!

 

[wshytle]

I got her. I didn't think it would take much today since she got a good taste of the tuna yesterday. I also rigged the trap so she'd have to crawl over the trip to get to the food with that end already closed. This would also help in assuring her tail wouldn't be in the door when it slammed shut. The trap was just big enough for her in the first place.

She's in the tub enclosure now and the guys are all wondering what in the hell is going on. I kept them inside figuring the trapping wouldn't take long. She has a litter box and I tied the door open on a cat carrier she is now using for privacy. She went right in. This cat definitely has some Siamese. You can hear it in her growl. She has a white belly as well as four white paws. She is also older than I suspected...probably born in early June sometime.

Now what do I do?????

 

[cmcleod]

haha Wayne. NOW what do you DO? be her daddy, of course, what else is there? just go in ever so often as she calms down and talk to her, reassure her. do you have treats so in a few days maybe you can coach her to you with them.? I wouldnt try that till you sense she is sure of you and calmer. I'm sure its take her a few days, or maybe a week to calm down, but since she's so young, you shouldnt have to much trouble and I doubt the older kids will make much to do about her since shes a wee one. They will most likely stay Above her, watching her from as high up as they can get to view the show. If anyone shows agression, just tell them no. Of course, I'm sure you told the kids that they would have a new sibling, right? lol. I know that black cats have the genes of Siamese, and I suppose that tuxs, like your little girl, do to. I know that our Hannah, who is a tux had a little black mommy.

well, I'm glad you got her..now the stories and fun begin..well, as Mike said, he's been chuckling with your stewing about, and me too, but now you have her, so it ought to get interesting..lol

good luck with the new kid.!!

Cath and the furkids

 

[mfrade]

Good for you Wayne! Yes, I had to laugh at "her" getting the bait and you left holding nothing!! Sorry, it was funny tho'!!! HAH!

All you can do is spend time with "her" and let her become comfortable with you and the surroundings. You've been there before (and sounds like you'll be there again after this one!)

With M-M we just had the dogs stay in their pens while he got the run around to discover his new home, he made it his own. But, we didn't have any other cats I have had others that wouldn't tolerate a kitten at all! So keep your eyes open!

 

[wshytle]

This is the first night with everyone indoors...including the new one. I had to go through several tasks just to get a shower. I closed the door on the carrier and took her into a bedroom with no other cats. She was a little vocal but not much and the guys didn't seem upset. Barney has since gone into the place where I put the carrier and that surprised me. She hasn't eaten anything today other than the tuna in the trap. With the carrier, the litter box, and two bowls for food and water the tub is quite busy. I figure she will eat tonight after things get really quiet. I'll be glad to see she has relieved herself as well but it hasn't happened yet.

I'll be glad when she can be with the others but I know that's gonna take some time. I have plenty to do other than watch after a special cat situation.

 

[mfrade]

We will ALL breathe a little easier for you Wayne when you say they are getting along!

 

[cmcleod]

Wayne, well sounds like things are doing ok, as ok as they can be. You've done this drill before, when you brought Barney and Millie home, but I think they were older, yes? True what Mike said about some kitties NOT tolerating kittens at all, so you have to be watchful, but usually they simply assert they are the head of the household, and a kitten just thinks they are a part of the pride early on, wanting to please everyone and be a part of the whole, before they become that. lol. I would simply tell my kids when Annie came to us," be nice", and for the most part everyone was. My kids are pretty mellow and understanding so we didnt have any major oppsies.! I'm sure she'll settle in

thanks for the update
Cath

 

[wshytle]

Things happened as I expected and did she ever relieve herself. She also ate some food and managed to spill the water bowl of course. When the guys go out today I will bring her (carrier included) in the living room for some different scenery/smells.

As far as everyone getting along it will be Graygirl I will have to watch. She's the queen bitch around here and takes no crap from anyone. She will still just reach out and "pop" Barney for no reason as he walks by but he doesn't mind.

I'm still contemplating finding a good home for the new one and have even asked a friend of mine if he and his wife would be interested.

Time will tell...

 

[mfrade]

That sounds like good progress Wayne. Keep up the good work!

 

[kmcconaughey]

Well, the black cat is back. Last night around 7:00 I went into the kitchen to fill the watering can to water some house plants. I looked out the window and there was the black cat sprawled out on the deck lounger.

 

[mfrade]

WOW, no a speck of white on it! HMmm.. you were just saying you haven't seen it around - that'll learn ya! ROFL!

 

[mhomrighausen]

That little kitty now calls Kraig's family and home his.