The Cat Thread

[Pohjolas Daughter]

After further deliberation and talking to the foster parent, we decided against the other kitten. 1) Fazi seems perfectly happy by himself...constantly plays with toys, I play with him, he purrs all the time, and he loves being with us. We have a great thing going and don't want to take a chance on upsetting the nice balance. 2) The foster parent said he is being treated for two infections--one is an upper respiratory and the other is in his eyes. We're not wild about bringing a sick kitten home.

Sorry that things didn't work out for you and the other kitten.

I'm glad that Fazi is a happy kitten though and is happily lapping up all of the love and attention that you two are bestowing upon him.

PD

[Bachtoven]

Thanks, guys. As cute as that other kitten is (his foster name is Roasty) and his two siblings, I doubt they
will have a problem getting adopted. I just found out their sad story: they were found by the side of the road at about 2 hours old alongside the body of their dead mother who had been hit by a car. They were immediately taken into foster care and bottle fed.

[Bachtoven]

Sorry that things didn't work out for you and the other kitten.

I'm glad that Fazi is a happy kitten though and is happily lapping up all of the love and attention that you two are bestowing upon him.

PD

We haven't completely closed the door on a companion. Part of my concern, and it's probably unfounded, is that Fazi might lose some interest in cuddling with us and would prefer to play with his new buddy. Since he seems so bonded, it might not be a problem. I guess the solution is to find another super cuddly kitten!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

We haven't completely closed the door on a companion. Part of my concern, and it's probably unfounded, is that Fazi might lose some interest in cuddling with us and would prefer to play with his new buddy. Since he seems so bonded, it might not be a problem. I guess the solution is to find another super cuddly kitten!

I know that it's hard to figure out what to do about kittens/cats and adding a new one in.  Note:  it can take a bit of time and slow and moderated introductions are the best.  I think that it's great that you are keeping the door open re another kitten.  Please don't be afraid of "sharing" your kitten.  Two great quotes that I ran across: From Anne Morrow Lindburgh:  "Only love can be divided endlessly and still not diminish."

This is one that hit me many years ago, it's by C.S. Lewis (and I still reflect on the wisdom in it and how/try to make it part of my life).  It's from a book called "The Four Loves" [which talks about the four Greek words for love and what they mean:  eros, philia, storge and agape--though, upon googling, it seems that there are a few more]:

  "To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

With love,

PD

[Bachtoven]

PD, thank you for your thoughtful post. After your comments and the urging of two sets of friends who foster kittens, we went to the local shelter this morning and adopted a 9 week 2.2 lb. tuxedo kitten! We named him Zeus. So far, he and Fazi are OK together. Fazi hissed a little, then started patting Zeus as if to get him to play. Fazi started getting a little rough, so we ended the session after about 5 minutes. Overall, it was much better than with Ethel, even though Zeus seems a little afraid of him at the moment--Fazi is a fair amount larger and still a little aggressive. I'm sure they'll be fine shortly.

Here are some not so great pictures--I'll try to get some better ones later.  I need one that shows his cute white tummy!


He had been asleep for at least 45 minutes in my lap in that last picture! He is incredibly sweet and cuddly, and purrs all the time.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

PD, thank you for your thoughtful post. After your comments and the urging of two sets of friends who foster kittens, we went to the local shelter this morning and adopted a 9 week 2.2 lb. tuxedo kitten! We named him Zeus. So far, he and Fazi are OK together. Fazi hissed a little, then started patting Zeus as if to get him to play. Fazi started getting a little rough, so we ended the session after about 5 minutes. Overall, it was much better than with Ethel, even though Zeus seems a little afraid of him at the moment--Fazi is a fair amount larger and still a little aggressive. I'm sure they'll be fine shortly.

Here are some not so great pictures--I'll try to get some better ones later.  I need one that shows his cute white tummy!


He had been asleep for at least 45 minutes in my lap in that last picture! He is incredibly sweet and cuddly, and purrs all the time.

Oh, yeah!

I suspect that it was a big day for all involved?    Remember that Zeus is trying to get used to just about a new everything:  environment/home/even where his litterbox is plus getting to know the two of you and another kitten (whose scent is probably all around the house) and is probably dying to roughhouse with the new kitten.  How much older is Fazi by the way?

One suggestion:  after Zeus has settled in further, you might initially try distracting the two of them with some toys--like some sort of wand toy, so that they are chasing the mouse/birdfeathers/whatever vs. whopping on each other (which I'm sure will happen eventually).  Added bonus:  it will wear them out for at least a little while and you'll have a ball playing with them. 

My British Short Hair (which I purchased when she was a kitten--about 4 months old) loved this toy;  https://www.dabird.com/catcatcher  One day, I sat on the living room carpet and swung it around me dragging it over the carpet.  I would switch it between my hands and change the direction.  She had a ball racing around me and would swiftly change direction when I did!

PD

[Bachtoven]

Oh, yeah!

I suspect that it was a big day for all involved?    Remember that Zeus is trying to get used to just about a new everything:  environment/home/even where his litterbox is plus getting to know the two of you and another kitten (whose scent is probably all around the house) and is probably dying to roughhouse with the new kitten.  How much older is Fazi by the way?

One suggestion:  after Zeus has settled in further, you might initially try distracting the two of them with some toys--like some sort of wand toy, so that they are chasing the mouse/birdfeathers/whatever vs. whopping on each other (which I'm sure will happen eventually).  Added bonus:  it will wear them out for at least a little while and you'll have a ball playing with them. 

My British Short Hair (which I purchased when she was a kitten--about 4 months old) loved this toy;  https://www.dabird.com/catcatcher  One day, I sat on the living room carpet and swung it around me dragging it over the carpet.  I would switch it between my hands and change the direction.  She had a ball racing around me and would swiftly change direction when I did!

PD

Yes it was! The shelter was full of adorable kittens, but we knew we wanted a tuxedo so he would look entirely different from our previous tabbies. Zeus seemed so sweet and started purring and cuddling the second I picked him up. He's at least as cuddly as Fazi but far less hyper, yet he loves to play with toys. I'll look into that toy--looks great.. They had a second unintended meeting last night--no hissing but Fazi immediately started wresting with Fazi! I think they'll get along fine once boundaries are established. Fazi is 6 weeks older. At first we wanted one closer to his age, but most of the kittens were younger. The shelter didn't think it would be a problem.

By the way, it's incredibly challenging to type while a kitten is walking across the keyboard!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yes it was! The shelter was full of adorable kittens, but we knew we wanted a tuxedo so he would look entirely different from our previous tabbies. Zeus seemed so sweet and started purring and cuddling the second I picked him up. He's at least as cuddly as Fazi but far less hyper, yet he loves to play with toys. I'll look into that toy--looks great.. They had a second unintended meeting last night--no hissing but Fazi immediately started wresting with Fazi! I think they'll get along fine once boundaries are established. Fazi is 6 weeks older. At first we wanted one closer to his age, but most of the kittens were younger. The shelter didn't think it would be a problem.

By the way, it's incredibly challenging to type while a kitten is walking across the keyboard!

I remember when I adopted my last cat (at that time, he was a male kitten).  I went into the shelter thinking that I didn't want a really vocal cat.  He was so quiet and mellow; I realized later on that this was due to him having been neutered the day before.  Once we got home and he was less "dopey" and feeling better, well that changed! lol

PD

[Bachtoven]

I remember when I adopted my last cat (at that time, he was a male kitten).  I went into the shelter thinking that I didn't want a really vocal cat.  He was so quiet and mellow; I realized later on that this was due to him having been neutered the day before.  Once we got home and he was less "dopey" and feeling better, well that changed! lol

PD

Haha, well Zeus hasn't been neutered yet--the shelter's vet is way behind, but they'll call us when they can take him, probably in a month or so. Since Fazi is a boy, we are not too concerned!    Zeus isn't particularly vocal--mostly he cries when we put him back in his room. Actually, Fazi, who is neutered, isn't very vocal either. Although this morning during another encounter with Zeus he made a cute, quiet "grr" sound, which seemed to indicate he was frustrated that Zeus was more interested in checking our the living room than playing. Fazi was quite a bit less aggressive this morning and afternoon, much to Zeus' relief no doubt! They are both wonderfully sweet and loving, so I hope they bond soon.

[foxandpeng]

PD, thank you for your thoughtful post. After your comments and the urging of two sets of friends who foster kittens, we went to the local shelter this morning and adopted a 9 week 2.2 lb. tuxedo kitten! We named him Zeus. So far, he and Fazi are OK together. Fazi hissed a little, then started patting Zeus as if to get him to play. Fazi started getting a little rough, so we ended the session after about 5 minutes. Overall, it was much better than with Ethel, even though Zeus seems a little afraid of him at the moment--Fazi is a fair amount larger and still a little aggressive. I'm sure they'll be fine shortly.

Here are some not so great pictures--I'll try to get some better ones later.  I need one that shows his cute white tummy!


He had been asleep for at least 45 minutes in my lap in that last picture! He is incredibly sweet and cuddly, and purrs all the time.

Good call. He's lovely. Here is Rosie, who gets tired when having to work alongside us in our home office.

[Bachtoven]

Good call. He's lovely. Here is Rosie, who gets tired when having to work alongside us in our home office.

It's also hard work being so cute all day!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Good call. He's lovely. Here is Rosie, who gets tired when having to work alongside us in our home office.

Being Director of Operations must certainly be a tiring job for her. 

Photos of this cat always make me smile:



PD

[Brian]

Part of my concern, and it's probably unfounded, is that Fazi might lose some interest in cuddling with us and would prefer to play with his new buddy.

I've gotten sent enough photos of two cats both trying to sleep on one of my parents' lap, to think you will be OK on this front!  Plus it sounds like they are both super lovey, friendly, and easygoing. Hope they're friends in just a couple days.

[Bachtoven]

Fazi and Zeus have a great time playing together, and this morning they snuggled like this for about 2 hours!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Fazi and Zeus have a great time playing together, and this morning they snuggled like this for about 2 hours!

Yeah!!!  I'm so happy to hear that!     Hope that the play isn't too rough for Zeus?  Has Fazi eased up a bit?  Just curious as to what you have observed.  Has Fazi ever tried to groom Zeus?  Just some thoughts/questions.

PD

[Bachtoven]

Yeah!!!  I'm so happy to hear that!     Hope that the play isn't too rough for Zeus?  Has Fazi eased up a bit?  Just curious as to what you have observed.  Has Fazi ever tried to groom Zeus?  Just some thoughts/questions.

PD

Thank you. Well, Zeus sometimes squeals, so I assume Fazi is too rough at that point. Overall, Fazi is a little less relentless. Eventually, the novelty of a playmate should subside. Zeus had a checkup two days ago and I mentioned the roughness to the vet. She said kittens rarely hurt each other or draw blood. Well, that's a relief! I still intervene when I hear Zeus cry out. I haven't seen Zeus groom Fazi, but Fazi never groomed Ethel, so maybe Zeus will when he's a little older.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Some news:  NASA laser message beams video of a cat named Taters back to Earth, and it's a big deal

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/18/world/nasa-space-laser-cat-video-scn/index.html

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Oh, this video/story made me laugh and cry...

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thank you. Well, Zeus sometimes squeals, so I assume Fazi is too rough at that point. Overall, Fazi is a little less relentless. Eventually, the novelty of a playmate should subside. Zeus had a checkup two days ago and I mentioned the roughness to the vet. She said kittens rarely hurt each other or draw blood. Well, that's a relief! I still intervene when I hear Zeus cry out. I haven't seen Zeus groom Fazi, but Fazi never groomed Ethel, so maybe Zeus will when he's a little older.

How are things going chez vous?

PD