Ferris needs TCS vibes, please!

coolcat

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don´t feel nervous and feel shame about Ferris dear Betsy!

you do so well, to ask vibes, at least that what we can help you!

))))))))))))))))))))))
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
my prayers to him!,....and course my best wishes!
Please keep me updated about him!
 

gailc

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Good luck with the haircut!! I am thinking of having that done with Grizzly as her fur is so matted due to her funky skin condition (can't remember name).
I've heard a lion cut is best done under sedation.
Many vibes to the both of you.
 

twstychik

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Snag & stuff with Kevla gauntlets! Wow... he must really panic! I'm adding even more calm vibes for you both. That sounds evil... but at least you know it. It's for his own good and he'll get spoiled rotten when he's back home I'm sure... what with all those great deals you got last week!
 
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gingersmom

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Originally Posted by twstychik

Snag & stuff with Kevla gauntlets! Wow... he must really panic! I'm adding even more calm vibes for you both. That sounds evil... but at least you know it. It's for his own good and he'll get spoiled rotten when he's back home I'm sure... what with all those great deals you got last week!
He really, REALLY does panic, the poor baby.
I remain convinced that he suffered some trauma surrounding his capture from "the wild" when he was a kitten.

I hated resorting to the gloves, but had no choice after he sliced up my arms the last time I had to crate him. Because I can only trim a claw or two at a time, he has razorblades for claws, and kicks wildly in his panic.

The gloves did the trick last time around, and I'd rather have him hate the gloves than me, if that makes any kind of difference when he gets all feral and panicked like that.

I really hope that he's HAPPY about his new summer coat. It is clear to me that the matts under his legs are a hindrance for him already - he's modified how he leaps and jumps, and even his walk and running gaits are different because his movements are slightly constricted.

Oh, I hope he likes it!!!

I know enough not to get stressed out when trying to catch him - I force myself to stay as calm as possible, try to keep my heart rate down, and I try NOT to think about exactly what it is that I am trying to do, instead I think about blue skies, and little birdies flying about, and warm sunbeams, etc.

If he's going to pick up on anything in my mind, it needs to be CALM and OKAY.
 

alleygirl

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Awww poor Ferris


Lots of calming vibes for you BOTH! I hope you can get through this without too much fuss. Just think how handsome he will be with his new haircut though
 

miagi's_mommy

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Lots of good thoughts and prayers going out to sweet Ferris.

I am sure he'll be just fine.
I will be sending YOU a lot of calming
vibes for tomorrow.
 

siggav

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Awww hearing that really makes me appreciate Nikita's acceptance of her cat carrier. In fact she's asleep in hers right now.

I'm sending you good vibes and I hope it will go well. Looking forward to seeing pics of the dashing gentleman when he's had his hair cut.
 
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gingersmom

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Originally Posted by Siggav

Awww hearing that really makes me appreciate Nikita's acceptance of her cat carrier. In fact she's asleep in hers right now.
I can relate to that in a way: Ginger goes right into hers like a good girl, and in fact, when I was setting up Ginger's carrier this weekend (wanting to be sure to have all three out and about so they are ready for the kitties to be tucked into the day we move,) Penny climbed right into it, laid down for a moment as if to test it's comfort level, gave her purr of approval, then got up and went to chase Ferris some more.
 

mygirlmidnight

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Good vibes that everything goes well for Ferris! Hopefully Ferris will do well with the vet tomorrow and especially the move in a few weeks.
 

theimp98

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well, if i had hair and someone wanted to cut me, i would get a litle upset also
i hope he likes his new look.
 
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gingersmom

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I've got the kitchen cleared out of places to dodge me and hide, and the gauntlets are strategically placed.


I'll have to hope that the other kits don't decide to shadow him when he begs for morning treats - he EXPECTS them when I'm done
in the morning, and shouts at me to hurry me along.


This will be the moment. I'll have to shut the kitchen off from the other rooms, and make my calm, soothing, slow moves while speaking in a calm voice to him.


Uh-huh. Yeah....

More like: he'll freeze, bolt for cover and a short chase will ensue, until he ends it by thinking he can escape by running UP the cat condo. Whereupon I grab him bodily, rush him to the carrier, and simultaneously drop/stuff him into it from the top while slamming the top shut upon my own hand that is desperately using pressure to keep him from breaking free, and then I SNATCH out my hand and lock the top.


Yes. I can do this. CALMLY.


 

aussie_dog

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Awww, poor baby! Here's to hoping you can get him all set up for the vet without too much blood loss, but at least when he's done, he's done. Then you can work on desensitizing him to the carrier so that he won't be so traumatized next time he gets a hair cut (if he loves it this time, I'm betting you'll get it done again, lol). Is he terrified of the vet office? There's a chance of losing him, but a harness and leash could work if you just carried him into the office. But lets hope he'll eventually be okay with the carrier. I don't envy you
 
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gingersmom

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Originally Posted by Aussie_Dog

Awww, poor baby! Here's to hoping you can get him all set up for the vet without too much blood loss, but at least when he's done, he's done. Then you can work on desensitizing him to the carrier so that he won't be so traumatized next time he gets a hair cut (if he loves it this time, I'm betting you'll get it done again, lol). Is he terrified of the vet office? There's a chance of losing him, but a harness and leash could work if you just carried him into the office. But lets hope he'll eventually be okay with the carrier. I don't envy you
Well, the vet cancelled the appointment for today and rescheduled it for Thursday
so we have two days to go before he goes in now.

I have no idea how to "desensitize" Ferris to the carrier. He is a semi-feral, wild-captured at about 8 weeks old and has serious PTSD and panic issues when it comes to being confined. He won't get into cardboard boxes, either - he's afraid he'll get shut up in them.

I think he is less terrified of the vet's office than he is of being caged.

The only thing I can do is what I already do: I leave the carrier out at all times and put treats in it to try to associate it with good things.

I tried putting a harness on him ONCE, and I'll never do it again - he positively FREAKED, and I'm trying to develop a solid POSITIVE relationship with him, so my adding to his panic and trauma just isn't the way to go about it, as far as I am concerned.

Rather, I give him space and lots of love and patience and understanding and talk softly to him and never punish him beyond a sharp word if/when he misbehaves. I think that's the best I can do for him, considering who he is and how he is.

I love that boy to pieces.


Oh well - please hang onto those vibes you've all sent out to him (and thank you so much!
) and send them out again for Thursday morning - I know he's going to need it!
 
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