Topic: Opinion needed (Read 5536 times)

JackSpratt · « **Reply #28 on:** August 18, 2007, 22:41:25 PM »

Photos on the "opinion needed - pictures of Ember" thread!

JackSpratt · « **Reply #27 on:** August 16, 2007, 22:31:00 PM »

Yep, definately a mad house at the moment.

But she's learning to socialise well with a bunch of pretty mellow older cats, so that's good.

I have done a lot of thinking about this, and although my cats are tolerating her, I think it's just that rather than acceptance. With this in mind, I've decided it would be best not only for my mob, but Ember too if she goes to my cousins when she gets back off holiday. I'll miss her being here, but it's not just about what I feel.

Photos to follow.

Littlebobo · « **Reply #26 on:** August 16, 2007, 19:50:55 PM »

Awww JS sounds as if you have your hands full !

Seems like she is settling in okay and perhaps it is helping her to be around the older moggs ?

blackcat · « **Reply #25 on:** August 16, 2007, 19:49:26 PM »

as a resident of Chatham I am beginning to take umbrage at the bandying around of the word chav to describe socially unaccepatble and rough behaviour (lol). I have found that the best way to discourage rough play is to leave the hand (or whatever body part in question) quite limp so that they are not getting any feedback, Then gentle them with your other hand when they calm down. Give positive feedback to good behaviour and no feedback on bad.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #24 on:** August 16, 2007, 19:42:20 PM »

Hmmm...not sure if she's a chav. (There's no burberry giving it away!

)

Strange turn of events though. The older cats are kind of tolerating her and generally not really bothering that she's there, which is making her act more relaxed. I'm still trying to decide whether she'd be happier with a companion closer to her own age.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #23 on:** August 10, 2007, 16:28:06 PM »

Quote

trying to beat up my older cats

A bully and at such a young age, is she a chav?

If she goes be very satisfied that you found her a cracking home where she can be centre of attention

JackSpratt · « **Reply #22 on:** August 10, 2007, 12:54:19 PM »

She's a fiery one alright, MM. She's being let out under controlled circumstances currently and is generally trying to beat up my older cats.

Unfortunately, my youngest is nervy and isn't doing well with her being around.

Thankfully I've organised a wonderful back up home in case of WW3! My cousin, her partner and my uncle came round to meet her on Wednesday and they all think she's lovely. I know she'll be spolit there, so I'm not too worried, but I will kind of miss her if it doesn't pan out.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2007, 16:00:06 PM »

Congrats, JS! She'll bring you years of joy, I'm sure....

Schmew · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2007, 15:37:09 PM »

Well done JS, every little life counts, and now you know she'll be safe. Look forward to pics

Millys Mum · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2007, 15:13:11 PM »

She sounds a fiery young lady! I dont think you'll find a vet to spay her at 12 weeks as a lot still refuse at 5 months

it wouldnt hurt to ask tho (i would ask a vet and not reception, as your going with Mog you have access to one)

JackSpratt · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2007, 11:14:53 AM »

Thanks, Cosmic.

Currently she's costing me more in skin than anything else - I think the only way she's been taught to play is to latch on to the nearest person and to kick the heck out of them!

I really did intend on calling my cousin and asking yesterday, but two things prevented it. One was my partner going into the room to "See how the little cat was doing." I went in and she was quite obviously besotted with him. She had apparantly been sat on his chest having a cuddle.

Secondly, I was feeling a bit odd about having a kitten in the house - not only have I not had a kitten in the house for about six years, but it felt strangely disloyal to Parsley. Then after a day of sunshine, there was a downpour and one very defined and one less defined rainbow appeared. The timing made me wonder whether it was a sign from her.

As soon as I can find some batteries for the camera I'll get a picture of the little hellcat! She was called Marley but we decided it wasn't a good name for a girl and we've started calling her Ember.

And even if she doesn't take to living with us, I'm making sure she's spayed first. I'm now on the lookout for a "travel safety gate" to put in the spare room doorway so the cats can all see and smell each other, but there's a reassuring barrier!

COSMIC CREEPERS · « **Reply #17 on:** August 06, 2007, 19:13:27 PM »

well done , hope she settles and dunt skint u too much , and dont bye loads of toys PING PONG BALLS are the best

JackSpratt · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2007, 19:06:19 PM »

OK, she's here. She doesn't look very old, I think they were very accurate with the 12 weeks part and is most definately not very well socialised. (To be fair to the lady, she was very honest and said she "couldn't be doing with cats.")

They didn't have a cat carrier, so when she arrived she panicked a bit, and tried to nip/scratch me when I took her from the ladys arms.

I have set up a "safe area" for her in my partners chill out room, and we'll see how she does.

*NOTE: Is she old enough to be spayed? Because regardless of whether my cat stake to her, I want to make sure that's done if they all decide they don't like each other.*

Popped in and sat with her and had a cuppa, she came and had a fuss and purred at me. (My arms are a wreck, though. She rough plays!)

Ellie · « **Reply #15 on:** August 06, 2007, 16:32:25 PM »

Looking forward to hearing about this wee bundle

Sarah (seldom_use) · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2007, 08:49:55 AM »

JS good luck with this little one, can't wait to see some pics

And Ela's poem was beautiful

JackSpratt · « **Reply #13 on:** August 05, 2007, 22:25:56 PM »

Thanks CC. I'm actually thinking maybe I was fated to get this one because my cousin was saying she wanted a playmate for Indie who is literally the same age as this little girl - maybe I'm meant to speed up the "companion process." She was going to wait, but sometimes things happen for a reason, if you see what I mean. (Although, no doubt I'll turn into a broody mare when I see a kitten. I always do!)

ccmacey · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2007, 22:07:20 PM »

So maybe this little babe is "naked" right now and needs you to wrap her up in your love.

Trust your heart.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2007, 08:59:25 AM »

Hmmm....never thought of that!

Maybe they like being naked!

hOrZa · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2007, 08:57:49 AM »

Quote from: JackSpratt on August 05, 2007, 08:22:53 AM

(ie: new clothes! Pah, who needs em?!

)

[/quote]

naked people

JackSpratt · « **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2007, 08:54:52 AM »

An exert from an email - the reasoning behind giving the kitten up. This lady doesn't sound mean, she sounds put upon!

"I don't like cats & I didnt bring her into my home either in the first instance. One of our foster children who had already left us to go back home,
dumped her on us when he found out he couldnt take her into the sheltered housing he was since been allocated. I was out shopping one day
when the phone rang, my son....asking if our ex foster lad could leave this cat here right now, I instantly said yes, otherwise it would have been
dumped on the street I feared!

Anyway, I cannot be doing with her walking on the worktops, getting into every cupboard that I open,catching the tiny lizards from under my
shed and generally getting on my nerves with all the antics kittens get up to!

I am a dog lover by nature but also an animal lover so couldnt see her being 'left with no-one' and turning into a feral cat!"

There you have it. I'm calling my cousin later, and emailing the lady back. She sent me an email saying she could bring the little one round today. (and that the little one was currently on her worktop stealing gravy off of a used dinner plate.

)

I feel like I've got to at least try, the kitten is only 12 - 16 weeks and hasn't had a settled home yet as far as I can tell. And Ela, that poem was beautiful - I think the meaning behind it is very true.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2007, 08:22:53 AM »

Quote from: Gill (sneakiefeline) on August 04, 2007, 22:29:54 PM

My recommendation is that you just dont look at these kinda adverts, sorry.

It's on a local Freecycle, Gill. It's not specifically geared towards giving away animals. If it were I'd most definately avoid it because I'm an utter softie!

And my cats will always come first. I have two friends with one cat each and I know for a fact that one of them is considering another cat in the not so distant future. (That one is my cousin, actually.) So I'm phoning her today and saying if my cats were unhappy would you consider a trial period with Indie? (Her kitten.) I've emailed the other - they're my back up plans just in case my lot aren't happy with a "newbie" around the house.

Auferstehen, I guess I'm half thinking of doing that already.

And MM, if it meant another cat was in a loving home environment rather than being viewed as an inconvenience, I'd go without other things. (ie: new clothes! Pah, who needs em?!

)

Ela · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2007, 07:18:10 AM »

Quote

I think you must consider your financial position and also the effect on your cats, cos they must come first.

My recommendation is that you just dont look at these kinda adverts, sorry.

I agree with you, it is not burying your head in the sand but just common sense. Sadly we cannot save the world (but we do try)

Then again it reminded me of the poem. 'It Matters'.

As I walked along the seashore
This young boy greeted me.
He was tossing stranded starfish
Back to the deep blue sea.
I said "Tell me why you bother,
Why you waste your time this way.
There's a million stranded starfish
Does it matter, anyway?"

And he said, "It matters to this one.
It deserves a chance to grow.
It matters to this one.
I can't save them all I know.
But it matters to this one,
I'll return it to the sea.
It matters to this one,
And it matters to me."

I walked into the shelter,
Ginny greeted me.
She was helping Hope learn to trust.
She was struggling I could see.
I said, "Tell me why you bother,
Why you waste your time this way.
Hope's only one of thousands,
Does it matter anyway?"

And she said, "It matters to this one.
She deserves a chance to grow.
It matters to this one.
I can't save them all I know.
But it matters to this one,
I'll help her be what she can be.
It matters to this one,
And it matters to me."

MBll · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2007, 00:20:24 AM »

What area is this in ?

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2007, 22:29:54 PM »

I think you must consider your financial position and also the effect on your cats, cos they must come first.

My recommendation is that you just dont look at these kinda adverts, sorry.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2007, 22:20:55 PM »

JS, I so very nearly responded to an ad I saw in the pet shop - kittens free, etc, etc...

But the world is full of ads like that. My own personal perspective is to do what I can for rescues. And Sharon wouldn't be best pleased if I came to her with a batch of babies when we have enough on our waiting list right now.

But if you respond to private ads selling kittens, you are fuelling the market for them. Ultimately, you're giving people an excuse to not have their cats neutered.

I'd tell this lady you will take this kitten off her hands for NOTHING.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2007, 21:57:49 PM »

If your finances can stretch then take it to see if Mog is ok with it if not then get her on a waiting list but be prepared to wait!

Sabrina (Auferstehen) · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2007, 21:55:16 PM »

You could always foster the kitten till you could find a better home?

Don't know if you have the room or not. Maybe the lady could give you any spare food/litter as well to help the cost?

JackSpratt · « **Reply #1 on:** August 04, 2007, 21:53:56 PM »

A kitten has been advertised on our local Freecycle and I've been in touch with the lady who has her. I'm a little divided about what to do, as this lady stated she is more of a dog person and is finding it quite trying caring for a kitten. But financially it will stretch me to breaking point to take this little one on, and Old Mog might become insecure. (The other three are likely to be a bit miffed and then not care.) The lady has even said she'll transport her to me.

Heeellppp. What is the best thing to do in everyones opinion?

Author Topic: Opinion needed (Read 5536 times)

ccmacey

MBll