Spyro: Today was a fun day. Most of us were avoiding the camera in one way or another. I was lounging under the coffee table in the living room and made Mom lie down on the floor to take my picture. Making Mom get down on the floor is always amusing, especially watching her get up again. Julius has turned out to be quite a little buddy. He's already playing chase and snuggling with us mancats.
Oja: I don't think he's so great. I spend a lot of time in this chair in the kitchen, where he can't sneak up on me. I have gotten mostly over my snit and have stopped hissing and growling at the mancats. I still hiss at Julius, though, especially when he shows an interest in my food.
Rocio: I was missing Austin today. That blue collar was his and I dug it out of the drawer where Mom was keeping it, so she let me have it. I have mostly ignored it for months, but I got it today and carried it around with me most of the day. I guess it's having another orange cat in the house that made me think of him.
Bambino: I turned my face away just as Mom took my picture. I have been having bunches of fun with Julius. He chased me down the hall this afternoon and snuggled with me this evening just before dinner. We even groomed each other a little.
Horus: I jumped just as Mom took my picture. I like the new little dude. He chased me down the hall, too. We snuggled together on the couch for a little while this afternoon.
Karen Jo: I am so happy to see Julius napping out in the open with another cat. I think it means he is less afraid of me. Until this afternoon, he always napped in a hidey-hole.
Julius: I ducked my head just as the Lady took my picture. This is as close as I will let her get to me before I run. The other boys say I am being silly; the Lady is my Mom now and will always take care of me. I think I trust her a little bit more now, but I won't let her touch me. She gave me some more of those really tasty crunchies, which the others tell me are called treats. I even figured out how to get her to give me some. I just scratch on one of the cardboard things and I get treats. Awesome! I wanna eat in the kitchen with the big kitties, but that mean gray one with the curly tail hisses at me.
Rocio: That's Oja. Don't mind her. She won't hurt you. She just doesn't like newcomers. I've been here for a year and she still hisses at me sometimes.
Bambino: That's right. She's harmless, just noisy and grumpy. It was months before I managed to make friends with her. Just remember not to pounce her and you will be fine.
Julius: That's easy. I don't pounce anycat. I just half-pounce when I want to play. Does Oja play?
Bambino: Not much and only with Spyro and Horus and me.
Julius: That's too bad. I love to play.
17 comments:
Hey little dudes! And lady. Looks like you're having fun! Thanks for sharing pics of your toys with us. Newcomers are tough to handle. I'm still the newcomer in my crew. Good luck! - Crepes.
So nice to see you all! Welcome to Julius, it is so wonderful that he is in your safe, loving home now. So glad that you are feeling better Karen Jo. May 2014 bring you health, joy, love, prosperity, peace and possibility!
It sounds like Julius is quite the popular guy! Well, except for Oja.
It takes time to settle in. You're doing great!!
The Florida Furkids
You'll figure out what a good life it is now, Julius. We love that big turbo track. You really do have some pawesome toys.
It's nice to see Julius joining in the fun with you all.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Rocio, we know how much you must miss Angel Austin... it's ok, cause that means you love him very much, don't worry, we're sure he's up there playing with our Angel Max, we think they must be good buddies!
Julius, don't worry about Oja, from what we know, the behavior you are seeing is just Oja being Oja... don't take it purrsonally!
Have you made it over to the Tabby Cat Club yet? We'd love to see you there!
Julius seems to be settling in just fine; that's great! We don't think it will take too long before he realizes that your human is the giver/bringer of food, treats and chin scritches! :-)
well that is good news.... Julius - trust us, mom are a good thing :)
Well it sounds to us like you are all settling in and that is great Julius. Our Annabelle has tried to make friends but our elders are being stubborn and still refuse to be too friendly.
julius ...wee small dood...it will take a while buddy...just rememburr this rool:
mom=love=food=toys=treetz=nip=primo grazz=houz mates=fun=love
:)
The others will help you firgure out everything Julius, especially the Mom is good thing!
Maybe it's because Oja is feeling a little outnumbered? She needs a sis!
Glad to hear you are having lots of fun playing with the others Julius.
Julius, it sounds like things are going pretty good...and we know you'll be furiends with all the other cats there before too long. :)
It is good to see every one settling in and playing and snuggling with each other!
Hi Karen Jo - Julius sure is a cute toddler mancat. Even though Julius is starting to adjust to the other cats, I wanted to let you know about a great tip my vet gave me for introducing a new cat when you have a multiple cat household. It might still be worth trying with Oja since she doesn't want to get up close & personal with Julius at this point and vice versa. Of course, there is bound to be some hissing under the best of circumstances. I think that is just some cats way of establishing the hierarchy where Oja is at the top & Julius us low man on the totem pole.
The tip is a way to introduce the cats to one another without the stress of physical contact. You keep the new cat in a separate room exactly like you did. Then take a couple of old sock or some clean rags (one for each cat), Gently rub the cloth around the mouth & whisker area of each cat. The area around cats mouth & whiskers is where cats excrete pheromones that provide other cats with information about the cats stress level, if they are wanting to be friendly or ready to fight as well as general health & well being. Take each cloth that you swiped on the established cats and lay them out where the new kitty can sniff them & get used to the smell & info. on all his new housemates. Do the same thing with the new cat(I know Julius might be hard to get touch right now) and let the gang (esp. snarky Diva girls) get a chance to sniff the new guy out at her lesiure. Then wait a another 24 to 48 hours and see how they all do in person. At this point the stress level should be less than half of what it would be if they were put together immediately.
I used this method the last time I added a new cat to 3 senior cats and it went much better than when just let everyone right away. It's a simple idea, but I had never heard of it before my vet told me about it. Cats are like people, they like to know a bit about someone before you meet them for the first time. There is still likely to be a couple of weeks where the cats may hiss and a little whapping on this is just the normal cat establishing the hierarchy. That would be Oja at the top and Julius low man on the totem pole. I bet everyone is adjusting well in a week or two. Julious may take longer to come around since he is behind in his socialization skills. He may need a little extra okay time & attention since he may not have had much of that as a feral kitten. I bet he would love some low key interaction with you. Maybe slowly pulling a string or yarn or the laser light where he can start to engage with you, but he won't feel he is at risk of being picked up. Once he gets into a play routein with you, then he will be ready to start getting used to being held or touched. I think Julius is just used to having to protect himself outside. As soon as he knows he is home, I bet he will relax and become a wonderful companion. The fact that is already showing some good signs like napping with the guys and playing without being too rough is encouraging.
I look forward to reading your posts & seeing the relationships grow.
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