It took almost 3 weeks, but our new boy is settling in nicely and less skittish every day.
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Loud noises like the snow plow still send him under the bed … and the jury is still out on exterior wonders. He spied wild turkeys in the backyard the other day and growled from under the couch for 5 minutes straight.
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But he’s learning to trust us and coming out of his shell. Toys help, and I’ve retrieved that fuzzy ball from under the furniture enough times to require another visit to the orthopedist.
I think it’s safe to say I’m in love.
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Even my girlfriend recognized how much having a little guy around the house again means and sent a congratulations card.
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Dudley loves his squeaky mouse, but not when we wave the stick…. so I rigged up a do it yourself playground.
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I’m sure he’s grateful, though he doesn’t look it.
It should be noted that while I love dogs and all their slobbering appreciation? There’s something about the utter disdain cats show their humans which speaks to me.
I went out to the mailbox the other day, battling a fierce wind and falling snow, and saw paw prints. This isn’t unusual at our house, critters visit on a daily basis. But when I came back in the house and heard a cry outside, I knew.
The lovely stray cat we’d taken in, fallen in love with and then had to return to his owners? Was back.
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He was soaking wet, shivering and skittish…. but I managed to lure him into the barn with a bowl of food.
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The poor little guy. What the hell! Why was he out in the cold again?
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After two full tins of Fancy Feast, he jumped up on the pool table….
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And took a bath with the heat blowing straight on him.
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I left him warm, fed and comfortable…. and headed into the house to call his owner and rip her a new one.
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One not so polite phone call later she showed up with a carrier and swore she made a vet appointment for him to be neutered next week and has done her best to keep him in the house. But she also told me her husband opened the bedroom window a crack and the cat escaped. (Open window, with no screen, in Maine, in February? Not likely) She said he’d only been gone for an hour but our house is over a mile away so I doubt that too.
I swear if we hadn’t adopted Dudley…. I would have just kept him this time.
Our new little guy still goes under the bed and shies away from loud noises…
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But when he’s out and about he’s a sweetie. And a bit of a goofball.
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With enough of the typical you were put on this planet to serve me cattitude to warrant his name.
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One minute he’s a cuddle bug, the next he runs away when we walk in the room. I have a feeling this little guy saw some trauma along the way. Patience will be required.
The question – How do you get your new adopted kitty to relax?
The answer – Weed. Or as close to chronic as our 4 legged furry friends can get.
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Five days in – the recent addition to the family had been slowly acclimating to our house and routines… but he was still running under the bed or behind the couch every time we made noise.
Enter the catnip pouch.
I should have thought of this sooner… because now?
Two full days in and we managed to get the new kitty out from under the china hutch.
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Granted it was just to under the coffee table, but that’s progress.
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I don’t think he was thrilled to have a close up portrait taken, but I’ve got news for him. You can’t be camera shy and live in this house. Momma’s got a blog to write.
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At the end of the third day he made it out into the open.
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And he really is a love bug once he feels comfortable.
I think it’s going to be a good fit, he just needs a little time.
I wasn’t exaggerating the last week when I said I cried after giving the stray cat back to his owners. It was strange… I knew it was the right thing. I knew I had to do it. I knew he would be loved and well cared for. But when I was at the sink washing out the cat dishes? I kind of lost it.
I’m a huge animal lover and have had a houseful of pets all my life… up until two years ago when we lost our last cat (he was 26!) and the husband said no more pets because he wanted to retire and travel freely. I understood, and I didn’t argue… but I hated the feeling of an empty house. So when that little guy wandered in? He stole my heart immediately. I was complete.
For 6 whole days, then I was bereft.
And bless my husband’s heart, even though I know he didn’t want to… he broke down and suggested we go to a shelter and rescue a kitty.
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I honestly didn’t know I could get dressed and out the door that fast…. but I broke my record and was waiting in the car before he could change his mind.
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We drove north to PALS. ( Protection for Animal Life Society ) It’s a wonderful no kill cat shelter I’d heard about but never had occasion to visit.
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It was amazing. Clean, well run, with an on staff vet and room after room of lucky kitties.
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It was a veritable snuggly cat stacked warehouse.
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We were interviewed and then led into the visiting room to meet the adoptable felines. Some were friendly and outgoing, some were shy and sad. We were told some were permanent residents due to health or behavioral issues.
I would have been happy to take any one of them home… but decided to let the husband choose.
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After much deliberation, this stocky little grey and white fellow was chosen to be an official member of Casa River. ( first photo taken in moving vehicle hence the blur )
He was found wandering as a stray and was surrendered 3 weeks ago. He’s been neutered, wormed, vaccinated and been given a clean bill of health. They estimate his age at 4 years.
He’s very sweet and enjoys being petted…
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When you can find him.
For now he’s skittish and needs to learn to trust us. Lord knows what the poor little guy has been through…but he’ll be happy here.
I’ll make sure of it.
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Where there's only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.
