Hi for all of you that were following Aflies story he is now in his new home and heres am update on him
Alfie has now been with his new family for a week. Until his rescue by the UKRCC in October, Alfie has lived the majority of his life as a stud boy in an outdoor pen, receiving little love or care. He had company from the girls, who were put with him to be mated, but he had minimal human companionship or interaction and he never knew life indoors.
While with Gail and Hannah, during the latter weeks, Alfie enjoyed some evenings indoors, by the fire, but even this could not fully prepare him for being a house cat, so since joining his family, Alfie has been on an extremely steep learning curve. The many sights and sounds in the home, that most of our cats take for granted, such as telephones ringing, hoovers, washing machines, post dropping through the door, etc, are all new to Alfie and as such very over whelming. That said he is adapting with confidence and courage. He loves the TV and sits in front of it, his head going from side to side, as he follows the movement. He has met the hoover and follows his mum around with it now. He was frightened by the noise of the washer and dryer to begin with, but he is learning that they are nothing to worry about now.
Alfie has met Chloe, the little female cat he now shares his home with and introductions are going quite well. Chloe is a quite, gentle little lady and has accepted Alfie into her home well. She just sits and watches, as Alfie boldly explores his new manor! There has been the odd chase, instigated by Alfie, but his surprise ‘attacks’ have been thwarted, as for the time being he is now wearing a collar, with a large bell attached to it, so that Chloe is fore warned that he is approaching.
He is eating well and seems to enjoy Chloe’s food too, if he gets away with stealing it!
Alfie has an ongoing problem with his eyes, which run, especially when he eats, so he has to have these bathed regularly, which he hates, but tolerates.
As far as we understand, Alfie has had little or no contact with men, throughout his life and so when he first met his new Dad, Alfie was very wary of him. This problem was quickly sorted by a game of ‘Good Cop, Bad Cop’, whereby Alfie's Dad was given the job of feeding him, while Alfie’s Mum had the job of bathing his eyes. It took Alfie no time at all to realise that his new Dad was actually a really great person to know and now he sits on his Dad’s lap!
Alfie loves to play and in his new home there are plenty of opportunities for interactive play times, with his Mum and Dad. He does tend to get a little over excited, but his family are training him to play more gently and over time he will learn his Raggie manners and remember that teeth and claws are to be kept away from hands!
The only hurdle we have left to conquer is Alfie’s inappropriate toileting. Alfie was a stud boy for 10 years and was only neutered a few weeks ago. Stud boys are notorious for marking by spraying and/or sprainting around their pen, away from the litter tray. When he was first with Gail, Alfie did soil his bed, but after a few days this stopped and he was a clean boy and used his tray reliably. On an occasion when he was moved to a larger pen, Alfie did soil his bed again, but stopped after a day or so. We were fully expecting Alfie to have some toileting issues when he went to his new home and his family were made very aware of this, from the out set. Alfie is soiling away from his tray at times, probably as a result of stress, but his Mum and Dad are coping with this in a sensible, calm way, with the advice and support of Gail and me. We feel confident that as he begins to feel fully secure and settled that Alfie will cease toileting inappropriately and will use his trays all the time.
Alfie has come so far since his rescue back in October, when he was a very poorly and depressed Ragdoll, who looked like he did not care if he lied or died. With Gail and Hannah’s love and care and with all the veterinary care he received, Alfie blossomed and now, in the capable hands of his new family, he continues to do so.
In one week, Alfie has achieved so much....watch this space for the nest chapter in Alfie’s story.
Brenda and Brian, thank you for giving Alfie the opportunity of a loving, comfortable, safe home.
Helen xx
