I seriously regret the day I ever said "yes"....

arcadian girl

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white cat lover, I know we've spoken privately but I wanted to respond here too, in case other people are having similar problems - Prozac was the best thing I ever did for Wonton, besides rescuing him and bringing him home.

I totally understand what you're going through - it had gotten to the point where we didn't even want to walk by him, for fear he'd lash out, and he spent more time in the other room than with us, cos we just didn't feel safe around him. Not a good situation for him, or us. But the Prozac has changed things a lot. It did take a few weeks to really kick in, but it seems to be working well now. He hasn't had a major freakout in a long time.. when he does get upset, he doesnt get AS freaked out..and he recovers from his upset a lot faster. I can walk by him now without slowing way down and inching my way around him, watching the whole time to see if he attacks - and by attack I don't mean a paw, I mean tail puffed, yowling, trying to kill my leg.

Our vet brought up putting him to sleep as well - it was one of the first things he said to me - "I've had to put cats down for this before". No matter how bad his behaviour got, I couldn't imagine doing that. I went through some tough times though. Posted here after a couple of his freakouts, which in retrospect I shouldn't have done, cos I was upset and emotional, but I just didn't know what else to do. People were (for the most part) very supportive. Anyway, I'm just telling you this to let you know I've been through it.

Keep us updated, yeah? I hope you can get the Prozac, and that it works for Ophelia.
 
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I am so sorry for your unfortuate situation. It's a no win predicament. I agree, though, try the Prozac. I've not had to use it with any of my babies but if I had to I would. Then, of course, if that doesn't work you still may have some luck in finding a new home. I wish I had some different advise to offer but it seems like you've tried every avenue. You have the patience of a saint and I hope all works out for you and your babies. Good luck.
Donna
 
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Natalie, I've been following your efforts with Ophelia for a long time now, and know that you have done everything you possibly could for her. Forgive me if this sounds too blunt, but I really believe the time has come for you to part with Ophelia, that is, to find her a home as an only-kitty in a quiet household. Lily is miserable, Ophelia is miserable, and you're miserable. Prozac may very well improve Ophelia's behavior, but I rather doubt that Lily will ever feel comfortable with her again. Why extend her agony?
I don't even think you should try to find her a home with a male cat. Lily, or female cats in general, might be her preferred victims, but if there are no females around, she could direct her aggression against a male.
Not everybody is looking for a lap cat, and who knows, in a different environment she could turn into one. A lot of cats become cuddlier with age, too.
I really think it's time to take that step.
 
arcadian girl

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Originally Posted by jcat

Natalie, I've been following your efforts with Ophelia for a long time now, and know that you have done everything you possibly could for her. Forgive me if this sounds too blunt, but I really believe the time has come for you to part with Ophelia, that is, to find her a home as an only-kitty in a quiet household. Lily is miserable, Ophelia is miserable, and you're miserable. Prozac may very well improve Ophelia's behavior, but I rather doubt that Lily will ever feel comfortable with her again. Why extend her agony?
I don't even think you should try to find her a home with a male cat. Lily, or female cats in general, might be her preferred victims, but if there are no females around, she could direct her aggression against a male.
Not everybody is looking for a lap cat, and who knows, in a different environment she could turn into one. A lot of cats become cuddlier with age, too.
I really think it's time to take that step.
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Actually reading this, I think you have a good point. I hadn't thought about Lily, but it's true - even if Ophelia gets better, Lily's always going to be afraid in her own home..and that isn't fair to her. I still think Prozac should be tried, but in addition to, not instead of, rehoming.
 
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white cat lover

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Originally Posted by arcadian girl

Actually reading this, I think you have a good point. I hadn't thought about Lily, but it's true - even if Ophelia gets better, Lily's always going to be afraid in her own home..and that isn't fair to her. I still think Prozac should be tried, but in addition to, not instead of, rehoming.
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jcat, you brought up a very good point. I wasn't thinking about Lily, I was thinking about being able to keep Ophelia. I am going to call the vet shortly, I'll let you know how that goes. I also have some vids of Ophelia that are processing on YouTube & then I'll post the links in Fur Pics.
 
phenomsmom

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Natalie I have no advice for you. I just wanted to say how wonderful it is of you to be trying to do what is best for your brood. All of them. Ophelia will find a great home. I know you will pick the best new family for her. I will be sending good vibes her way.
 
laureen227

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Originally Posted by arcadian girl

Actually reading this, I think you have a good point. I hadn't thought about Lily, but it's true - even if Ophelia gets better, Lily's always going to be afraid in her own home..and that isn't fair to her. I still think Prozac should be tried, but in addition to, not instead of, rehoming.
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i think this is a good compromise. i'm thinking maybe an senior citizen might be interested in her? she sounds like she'd be a fairly quiet, unobtrusive cat, assuming there were no other cats around.
 
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Originally Posted by laureen227

i think this is a good compromise. i'm thinking maybe an senior citizen might be interested in her? she sounds like she'd be a fairly quiet, unobtrusive cat, assuming there were no other cats around.
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Are you reading my mind again, Laureen? I was thinking the same thing, after my vet found a home for Taco with senior citizens.
 
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white cat lover

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Originally Posted by jcat

Are you reading my mind again, Laureen? I was thinking the same thing, after my vet found a home for Taco with senior citizens.
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I still haven't called the vet. I don't really want to...just thinking about this seems so....final. I might schedule an appt. for Ophelia & I. Then we can discuss things & I can post a flyer in their office.
 
laureen227

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Originally Posted by jcat

Are you reading my mind again, Laureen? I was thinking the same thing, after my vet found a home for Taco with senior citizens.
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well, my mom always said... "great minds think alike"
 
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white cat lover

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I really don't wanna be thinking about this, but....

The Humane Society here charges a $50 adoption fee. What would be a good amount? Many people won't even pay the $50, but she's fully vetted, so that isn't unreasonable, is it?

The other thing...she's utterly miserable without another cat. When she was all alone in the basement, she would actually lash out at me once in awhile(I believe she was trying to play with me). Do I go no cats...or male cats only? How do I decide? As for kids....I don't know for sure how she would be living with them....what do I go with there? Should I just say "Ophelia prefers a home without children as she has never lived with any before." & leave it at that?
 
kluchetta

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

I really don't wanna be thinking about this, but....

The Humane Society here charges a $50 adoption fee. What would be a good amount? Many people won't even pay the $50, but she's fully vetted, so that isn't unreasonable, is it?

The other thing...she's utterly miserable without another cat. When she was all alone in the basement, she would actually lash out at me once in awhile(I believe she was trying to play with me). Do I go no cats...or male cats only? How do I decide? As for kids....I don't know for sure how she would be living with them....what do I go with there? Should I just say "Ophelia prefers a home without children as she has never lived with any before." & leave it at that?
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I think I would say I was charging a fee, but maybe not charge it when it came right down to it. If you feel they're the "right" people. That's mostly to keep the gross people away. So does she get along with the males one on one? She'd probably be ok with a male if so. I think regarding the children that's a good thing to say, or maybe without children under ___ years old.
 
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But when she was alone in the basement, were people down there with her all the time? She may have been lonely because there wasn't enough companionship and because she knew there was activity in the rest of the house that she wasn't allowed into (a lot of cats hate being locked out of areas of the house). And there were no windows and no source of entertainment. None of those would be the case in a new home.
 
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Originally Posted by emmylou

But when she was alone in the basement, were people down there with her all the time? She may have been lonely because there wasn't enough companionship and because she knew there was activity in the rest of the house that she wasn't allowed into (a lot of cats hate being locked out of areas of the house). And there were no windows and no source of entertainment. None of those would be the case in a new home.
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I spend all day on the computer. She was alone downstairs in the basement with me there for most of the day. She then got moved into the bedroom with me at night & spent all night when me. This included a 30 minute play session right before bed & she snuggled with me at night. She gets really "screamy" whenever she & Dory are seperated. The obnoxious deaf cat meow really gets to everyone.

She gets along great with Dory. Even when she's pissy at the girls, she'll turn around & play with Dory or once in a great while snuggle with him.
 
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again. While you have to keep certain "qualifications" in mind while choosing a new family for Ophelia, they really don't belong in an "ad" for her, as you might just scare off the perfect adopters. Instead of saying, "no children or other cats", you should simply state "unused to children" and "intolerant of female cats", if you get my drift. You don't want to prevent somebody with a 17-year-old son or daughter, and/or a laid-back, sociable male cat, from inquiring about her.
 
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Originally Posted by jcat

My
again. While you have to keep certain "qualifications" in mind while choosing a new family for Ophelia, they really don't belong in an "ad" for her, as you might just scare off the perfect adopters. Instead of saying, "no children or other cats", you should simply state "unused to children" and "intolerant of female cats", if you get my drift. You don't want to prevent somebody with a 17-year-old son or daughter, and/or a laid-back, sociable male cat, from inquiring about her.
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That's what I was leaning towards in terms of ads in papers & vet clinics. I don't know if I should list "no kids" on Petfinder yet or not...as it says "no kids" means no kids under 5 years old....or at least it does on the admin end when choosing "no kids". Maybe just go with "special needs" for petfinder & then say things like you said... "intolerant of female cats" & "unused to children". Because I am not lying when I say those things.
 
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Originally Posted by white cat lover

That's what I was leaning towards in terms of ads in papers & vet clinics. I don't know if I should list "no kids" on Petfinder yet or not...as it says "no kids" means no kids under 5 years old....or at least it does on the admin end when choosing "no kids". Maybe just go with "special needs" for petfinder & then say things like you said... "intolerant of female cats" & "unused to children". Because I am not lying when I say those things.
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Of course you're not. Besides, you really don't know how she'll be with kids. Years ago, a friend took in a feral her husband found living in an alley. She was really wild, and nobody could touch her. When my friend's sister had a baby, the cat took to him right away, and wouldn't leave his side whenever he was visiting or staying over. It was the oddest thing.
 
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Originally Posted by jcat

Of course you're not. Besides, you really don't know how she'll be with kids. Years ago, a friend took in a feral her husband found living in an alley. She was really wild, and nobody could touch her. When my friend's sister had a baby, the cat took to him right away, and wouldn't leave his side whenever he was visiting or staying over. It was the oddest thing.
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I'm just sorta thinking out loud here....but if I put ads in:
2 vet clinics
the local newspaper
eventually the pet store(s) an hour away from me
eventually Petfinder

Is there anywhere else I can advertise? Once I get an advertisement thought out, I'll be posting it to see what you guys think. The vet didn't call me back yet, so it'll be next week before I really do anything.
 
kluchetta

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There was just a story on here, and I'm not sure but I think it was Snowberry & Sneezeweed's mom or dad, and they had a Maine Coon cat that they were stressing over whether it was happy with them. It was only happy in the morning in the bathroom...Anybody remember? And they rehomed it alone, and were sure they did the wrong thing, and they got a call RIGHT away from the lady saying it was the sweetest purriest cat she ever had? Well, anyway - a change of scenery helped there...
 
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