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Post by newpig on Sept 2, 2007 14:54:36 GMT
Hubby, kids and I had a visit to Cats Protection League rescue centre this morning. It is almost a year now since we lost Harry. He was the glue between my other two cats Dino and Bronte as they both got on with him and not each other. We all miss him so much. So this morning we visited the rescue centre. We have a home visit set up for Tuesday afternoon and will know on Wednesday if we are considered suitable. We met the most beautiful 18 month old boy this morning. He is black with a little white patch on his neck and looks so like Dino. He came out and played with all of us and had a little cuddle. His name is Huxley and we are all in love with him. We couldnt reserve him as we have not had our visit yet so fingers crossed he has not gone by Wednesday (that's if we get approval). So keep your fingers crossed for us. EDIT: Just adding in the link to another thread I had which was just about Bronte and Dino and which I am not updating anymore wheekers.proboards32.com/index.cgi?board=pets&action=display&thread=1184528990 |
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Post by beckee on Sept 2, 2007 15:23:52 GMT
Awww thats great news!
Ooo I hope Huxley keeps his head down so no one else nabs him before you get approval! And I hope if he does end up with you that he helps join the divide between your other two...
Keep us posted!
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Post by newpig on Sept 2, 2007 20:10:22 GMT
He is so gorgeous I am really not hopeful that he will still be there especially as he is a little on the small side and I think others may think he is a kitten but the guy showing him round today said we are the only people he has played for and he thought he was ideally suited to us. Luke keeps telling us his name is Parsley and was nearly in tears when he had to leave without him. Desperately trying to keep our hopes dampened in case we dont get approval or he is already gone. He has another cat with him who the guy showing us around thinks is his sister (he wasnt sure as not his usual section and they came in when he wasnt working) - she is called Heidi and is white with big black splodges. I didnt have her out and the guy said that she sometimes hisses at other cats but when she was out with hubby she was rolling all round the floor at his feet and giving him lots of love. I honestly could have just gathered both of them up!
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Post by piparmaru on Sept 3, 2007 7:38:44 GMT
aww that's great news, i'm glad it all goes well and in one sense I hope he is still there for you .. but in another not lol if you know what I mean ...
It's a real shame that you couldn't put a hold on him considering you are having a home visit .. good luck!!
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Post by newpig on Sept 3, 2007 20:26:05 GMT
I have just realised that have started a new thread and should have just added this is to My Cats thread so sorry about that.
Just to say that the CPL people rang today and confirmed they are coming out to see us tomorrow to check us out (feels like a job interview or an exam!). I probably wont sleep a wink tonight as am so anxious.
Hubby and I were chatting earlier and he actually said would be nice to get Huxley & Heidi - almost fainted from shock and as he is being so keen am even more convinced that we will get turned down or one or both of them will already have been homed.
Will let you know how it goes. They are coming around 2.30.
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Post by beckee on Sept 3, 2007 20:29:12 GMT
Woo Hoo! BOTH!!  Way to go Hubby..more points for you!! Fingers crossed for your homecheck tomorrow..I'm sure you'll pass with flying colours! |
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Post by piparmaru on Sept 3, 2007 23:17:37 GMT
Oh I so hope everything goes well for you!!!! I'll keep my fingers and try to cross my toes that everything goes well with the home check and then they are there are both still there for you ... they sound just beautiful!!
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Post by newpig on Sept 4, 2007 14:05:05 GMT
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Post by mweekieme on Sept 4, 2007 14:16:18 GMT
Oh lovely...Huxley and Heidi sound gorgeous! I am so glad you got immediate approval. Can't wait to see pics of the two new additions! Mweekie!  |
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Post by beckee on Sept 4, 2007 14:29:22 GMT
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Post by newpig on Sept 4, 2007 20:52:54 GMT
They will be home tomorrow so have been running around trying to get everything ready for them. The CPL suggested getting a spray called Feliway to spray on them and around the house - apparently vets normally stock it but when rang mine they had never heard of it. Bit anxious about introducing them to Dino and Bronte but hope all goes well. Depends how it goes tomorrow but will try to get some photos.
Just trying to decide whether I should keep Bronte and Dino indoors for a while with Heidi and Huxley to give them a chance to get used to each other and get the hierarchy sorted or will Bronte and Dino resent being cooped up and blame the new guys?
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Post by beckee on Sept 4, 2007 21:48:04 GMT
Aww I bet you are so excited!
I have never heard of Feliway? What i sit supposed to do?
I don't think you should keep your original cats in as any unusual behaviour is likely to stress them out more. Personally I would reserve one room only for the new guys for a few days, keep your cats out and just spend plenty of time going between old and new, stroking and touching them which will give each pair time to get to know the scents of the others. This will also give the new two a few days to get to know and trust you and the family. After a couple of days let them investigate a room at a time and take it really slpwly. This is how i have always introduced new cats and so far, so good..there will almost definitely be a bit of growling and grumpy behaviour when they first meet but if you do everything slowly you should be ok!
Have got this paragraph from a great book called The Cat Whisperer by Claire Bessant...
"Most cats accept the introductions of a new cat into the household without too much troubl. Those lacking in early socuial experience are less well equipped to deal with other cats later, and it may well b ethat you can only hope for a tolerant, if slightly distant, relationship rather than a loving curl-up-by-the-fir one. The other factor which is much more under your control, is how you introduce the. First impressions can be lasting impressions so it is essential that they meet in stages.
Smell is a vital component and mixing scents but stroking one cat and then the other can help. Do this for several days before the cats meet. Its important that you introduce the new arrival to any existing residents and your normal family life in a controlled manner, so that he or she is protected from anything frightening while learning to cope. The best way to achieve this is to house the cat or kitten in an indoor cage (when supervised) for a couple of days, or, failing this, in its smaller , portable cage while introductions are mad. Protected by the bars of its 'den' it will be able to look out and learn who will be sharing its life and how they behave. Containing the cat will prevent a panic runwawy that might trigger a chase from other cats or dogs, and will enable you to keep everything as calm as possible. The cage also protects its occupants when otherresident animals or children make their first, and not always friendly, approaches. The cage should be placed in a high traffic area so that the cat is always part of the proceedings and gets used to the noises and rhythms of the house.
Expect some 'swearing' when cats first meet but be persistant as all usually sorts itself out very quickly provided excitement or a chase are not allowed to escalate out of control. Feeding resident cats outside the cage while new cat is feeding inside will help get them progressively closer to each other. When they have reached the stage where they eat and relx in the same room, try introducing free of the cage....introducing older cats may need a little more patience and again, try distracting them with food for the first few meetings on the loose.
Bring the new arrival out frequently for exploration and play sessions on its own. Gradually allow more unsupervised freedom in one room and permit contact with other animals when they appear tolerant of the 'invader'. Then allow access to the rest of the house one room at a time, but supervise the first few exposures. Make sure that each room has plenty of escape routes, hiding places and safe higer surfaces for the cat to run to in case it becomes alarmed. Replace the cage with a normal soft cat bed when the cat is well settled and needs no further controlled exposures!"
Its a bit long winded but it definitely makes sense. I have always used a cage method but I'm sure a room of their own would work just as well?
Can't wait to hear all about it!!
Good luck!
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Post by Val Amirault-Vale on Sept 4, 2007 22:04:46 GMT
Ohhhh how fun and exciting is that!!! I bet the kids can hardly wait....just like YOU!   I also never heard of Feliway. In fact I've never heard of spraying anything around just because you are bringing new pets into the home? The only thing that I would ever spread around is plenty of love and kisses tossed with a liitle lap time! |
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Post by piparmaru on Sept 4, 2007 22:51:23 GMT
Oh wow that is fantastic news!!! Congratulations!!!!
I hope it all goes well with the introductions, but i'm sure you are expecting a few hisses lol, I was once told that if they fight you remove the ones that hiss, normally the older cats and you move them into a room by themselves, you never do that to the new cat. you need to teach the cats that that's not an appropriate behaviour. Plenty of love and attention and i'm sure you'll be fine ..
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Post by newpig on Sept 5, 2007 8:37:37 GMT
thanks for all the tips - really useful. I think I will use the utility room to contain them and I can open the door from it to the kitchen which then leads to the playroom (which has a stairgate across it so the cats could hear and see the kids without having to make contact with them). The kitchen then leads out to the hallway and the rest of the house so we could progress by opening a door at a time. I do have one of those big metal cages which we used to transport Harry, Dino and Bronte in when we moved over here but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving the new guys in it for any length of time. I suppose I could move it into the utility room and I could put them into it and then let Dino and Bronte into the house to see them. I could also bring Dino and Bronte's food bowl into the utility room whilst Heidi and Huxley are in the cage so that they could feed together - what do you think? Sort of thinking out loud there - thanks - you have all given me lots of food for thought. Here is a link about Feliway www.feliway.co.uk/ |
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Post by piparmaru on Sept 5, 2007 9:38:42 GMT
I actually like the idea of putting Heidi & Huxley in the cage while Dino & Bronte come into the room to check them out .. it's a good way of them meeting for the first time, at least Heidi & Huxley will feel protected and not so threatened .. maybe ..
I think everything that you have said sounds like a good idea, I don't think you are going to have too many problems, definately keeping my fingers crossed for you but ....
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Post by newpig on Sept 5, 2007 14:02:02 GMT
Well they are safely in the cage and have left them to settle down. Huxley was quite nervy when we went to get them but Heidi was just full of love and cuddles. Here are the first 2 photos of them. Its really funny how you distort things in your mind - after seeing them I could have sworn that Heidi was mainly white with black patches but she is mainly black with white patches and a white tummy.   |
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Post by beckee on Sept 5, 2007 15:13:27 GMT
Aww they are lovely!
The cage idea is a great one as it gives them a chance to get used to all the noises and smells for a while before anything crazy happens, and helps stop you loosing them if they bolt through fear!
Mine always used t go back to the cage for security even if the door was left open and I would leave it like that for a couple of weeks until I saw they had found other favourite spots!
They look gorgeous and I bet you are so pleased to get them home!
Keep us updated!
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Post by newpig on Sept 5, 2007 21:41:53 GMT
Thanks for suggesting it - the cage idea is brilliant. They have quite happily sat in it curled up together with the back door and the kitchen door opened all afternoon. They have been able to listen to the kids playing, GP's wheeking and just watch all the usual commotion. I let them out for a run round the kitchen and hallway after the kids went to bed and they were really inquisitive, cuddly and playful. Not at all nervous. I put them back in before bringing Bronte and Dino in (have decided to keep them in for the night to see how it goes).
Bronte is hissing and growling at Dino, Dino is hissing and growling at Huxley and Heidi who are just sitting meekly looking at him, Bronte is refusing to even go near the utility room and Dino left a rather unpleasant package behind the TV - even though I brought a litter tray in for him and Bronte. So its all great fun here tonight. Of course hubby is missing all the fun as in London tonight!
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Post by piparmaru on Sept 6, 2007 4:12:18 GMT
Naughty Bronte lol hmm, I think that might have been his way of saying he's not happy lol but he'll get used to them and hopefully love them like you all do ... they are very beautiful cats, sounds like they are settling in quite well.
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