Hubby and I had today off work, so we decided to take Striker in for his yearly checkup. We originally adopted Striker (gweeky) from this vet's office as a kitten. Ever since we had him, he has been extremely cautious of people, even us. He doesn't let anyone pick him up, and occasionally he lets us pet him, but he shies away from contact. If I didn't know any better I would say he had been a feral.
About an hour before the vet, we cornered him in the basement to give him a relaxant ( can't get him to the vet any other way - I still have the scar from last years visit). He manage to get away. We spent the next hour looking for him. We could not find him, and we knew he hadn't gotten out. We were feeling goolish when we called the vet to cancel the appointment - I mean, we were foolowed by a 3 year old cat!
We Kept searching for him. We finally found him in the laundrey room portion of out basement, which is partially finished ( the ceiling is open you can see the joyces). He had jumped from the freezer to the very small crawl space between the top of the basement bathroom and the floor of the kitchen above. He was in a space of about 5 inches wide and 6 deep and about 10 feet long. We were concerned as there were nails used in the bathroom that were pushing out the bottom where he was hiding. When we tried to get him that just panic him more and he pushed himeslf further in. We decided to leave him to come out on his own as we didn't want to upset him.
I went in to the laundrey room a few times during the day to talk to him, but I didn't want to get to close - I was hoping that he would come out. About 1/2 an hour ago we heard a pitiful cry coming from the room. He was trying, finally, to get out but was stuck! I felt horrible - it was because of us he was up there.
We tried to reach him with out arms but he was out of reach from both ends. I had to push over a heating vent and then with me on one end and John on the other with a broom pushing his butt he came barreling out and out of sight again - at least this time he isn't stuck. I want to go see if he is ok, but I don't want to panic him anymore . I think if I were to approach him right now he will be terrified.
I am close to tears. I mean, he has to go get his check up. But I think the attempted trip did more harm then good.
I am heartbroken, because I am now sure that any progress we have made with him since last vet trip is now gone. After last years trip, he wouldn't even be in the same room with us. Up until earlier today, he was playing with us and letting us touch him and even occasionally sleeping with me.
This is one of the worst days off I have ever had!
About an hour before the vet, we cornered him in the basement to give him a relaxant ( can't get him to the vet any other way - I still have the scar from last years visit). He manage to get away. We spent the next hour looking for him. We could not find him, and we knew he hadn't gotten out. We were feeling goolish when we called the vet to cancel the appointment - I mean, we were foolowed by a 3 year old cat!
We Kept searching for him. We finally found him in the laundrey room portion of out basement, which is partially finished ( the ceiling is open you can see the joyces). He had jumped from the freezer to the very small crawl space between the top of the basement bathroom and the floor of the kitchen above. He was in a space of about 5 inches wide and 6 deep and about 10 feet long. We were concerned as there were nails used in the bathroom that were pushing out the bottom where he was hiding. When we tried to get him that just panic him more and he pushed himeslf further in. We decided to leave him to come out on his own as we didn't want to upset him.
I went in to the laundrey room a few times during the day to talk to him, but I didn't want to get to close - I was hoping that he would come out. About 1/2 an hour ago we heard a pitiful cry coming from the room. He was trying, finally, to get out but was stuck! I felt horrible - it was because of us he was up there.
We tried to reach him with out arms but he was out of reach from both ends. I had to push over a heating vent and then with me on one end and John on the other with a broom pushing his butt he came barreling out and out of sight again - at least this time he isn't stuck. I want to go see if he is ok, but I don't want to panic him anymore . I think if I were to approach him right now he will be terrified.
I am close to tears. I mean, he has to go get his check up. But I think the attempted trip did more harm then good.
I am heartbroken, because I am now sure that any progress we have made with him since last vet trip is now gone. After last years trip, he wouldn't even be in the same room with us. Up until earlier today, he was playing with us and letting us touch him and even occasionally sleeping with me.
This is one of the worst days off I have ever had!
