Eek, a child!

Well, we had our little over for the first time today. My kittens were terrified of him. He didn't do anything mean to them, they just wanted nothing to do with him. I have never seen them not cuddly with someone, it was very odd. So, now we want them to get a bit socialized by friends, and hopefully a few children!

Also, I now put the litterbox on the coffee table (great, eh?) so that the kittens can get to it, but Quinn has to stretch- and we will see her do so, so that the kittens can be out when she is. Quinn is slowly getting used to them...she still chases if they move to fast, but can handle letting them walk away if I yell at her. She goes ballistic if the boys come near me though...yet not when Lucy does. I think she needs to get swiped on the nose a few times to see that they aren't THAT entertaining!

I feel your pain. Or should I say... Holland feels your pain. I'm staying with my mom for a while, and today my sister, BIL and their three kids (+ two dogs) moved in too. Thank you, US economy...

Well, Holland has been here for about a month and a half and has been adjusting very well until she got the mother of all monkey wrenches thrown at her today!! My nieces and nephew want SO bad to play with Holland, but she makes herself very scarce when other people are around. I'm hoping with time she will build up some trust and that some sort of relationship will develop. It is SO aggravating that my family knows I love her more than anything, but they never get to see why. They see her as this timid little cat who runs off and hides at the drop of a hat. They never get to see her playful, loving, sassy personality. They all think I'm crazy to dote on her the way I do.

Aww, poor Lennon and Ringo (and Holland, for that matter). While my kitties aren't exposed to children very frequently (if at all), I can definitely feel your pain. Well, at least my one dog can.

I have a toy fox terrier named Madeline. She's just under 5 years old, but is my baby and the apple of my eye. As a puppy, she loved everyone. When meeting new people, she was always so excited. She'd go right up to them, kiss them, and wiggle so hard that I thought she'd begin convulsing! And, for the longest time she was like that. However, I became very ill and when I was sick, Madeline became very protective over me. She stopped being overly friendly with strangers and became distanced. She was never mean or painfully shy, but she wasn't her happy-go-lucky self around strangers anymore. Well, despite that, she was still lovey to those she knew and was comfortable with. And, a couple of years ago, I brought her to my mother's house for the holidays. I knew there would be a child there, but I also knew that that child was 7, understood how to treat animals, and had her own dog at home. I thought all would be well. And, besides, even though she was cautious, Madeline still loved children. Well, it quickly became apparent that that was not the case. Madeline was petrified. The child never taunted or teased her, never was loud or overly rambunctious, and never snuck up or scared her. But, Madeline was having none of it. She was terrified! And, ever since, she wants nothing to do with children.

The vet said that the sudden movements children make may be frightening to her. The same vet also said it may just be that Madeline is not meant to be around children. The truth is, dog or cat, they have their reasons why they get anxious around children. Some can grow to accept and, even, adore the little ones. But, others, like my Madeline, just do better off when with adults (and, even then, Madeline is very cautious). My other dog, a rat terrier named Mackenzie, loves anything and anyone. Nothing riles or upsets her. But, Madeline...not so much...

Hopefully, Lennon, Ringo, and Holland will grow to accept the little ones. But, don't worry -- even if no one else understands why you're head over heels in love with a scaredy-cat, we here will get you 100% .

(BTW, I just read this and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. And, it's not even relevant, I don't think. I'm clicking submit anyway, but if this is just one long run-on sentence having to do with nothing, just ignore it and chalk it up to the fact that I'm tired and need to go to bed. Thanks!)

Attitude and Nuts were worried about Bobby(my 7 year old son) and scared of him when they were first inside. They still aren't overly friendly but most of the time they will let him pet them. Attitude is more cautious about it but she can be 'weird' at times so I just chalk it up to her personality.

Maude hated Bobby, but then again she hated everyone so her not liking him wasn't shocking. However she did charge him once. My first reaction was to kick her, which I didn't do, I had just washed my hands so I still had water on them since I hadn't dried them yet. I shook my hands in her direction and getting wet distracted her from Bobby. He hadn't had anything to do with her that day and if he tried to touch her she hissed so he left her alone. Near the end though she was more tolerant of him. Neither her nor Molly(Paul's dog) had ever been around kids so they weren't sure about them. When he first started coming over if he wanted to pet Molly I had to put my hand next to her muzzle so she wouldn't grab his hand(she never bit but would grab your hand.) I knew how to get Molly to like Bobby, through her stomach. I had him start giving her treats when he come over. She had no problem with him after that. Molly was really skittish she had been abused prior to Paul getting her and I think a lot of involved her and children. She was never mean but she still cowered every time even Paul or I tried to pet her. Paul got her at around 18 months old and she crossed the bridge when she was at least 17 YEARS old and she still cowered when you tried to touch her. She also wouldn't touch toys, she just wasn't 'right' if you know what I mean. Someone had really treated her wrong and it stuck with her forever. She was still a very hyper dog, she was still like a puppy when it came to energy and running around. Maude weighed more than she did but Molly ran the show. Every once in awhile she would bark at Maude if she got too close or chase her in play. Maude was so sad when she died. She refused to leave the house. All she knew was the dog went outside and never came back and she sure as heck wasn't going outside now.

Some animals just aren't good around children and never will be. I think for the kittens it was a new experience for them and they were a little fearful. When the mother first brought the kittens over at 4 weeks anything and everything could send all 9 running under the shed, a train(we live right across from train tracks), us, trying to pet them, feeding them, shaking the bag of food(I still do that, it tells them it's time to eat if they are close by and hear it.) Now they ignore the trains, us, let us pet them, feed them and come running now if I shake the bag of food. Just keep exposing them to children and eventually they won't be so scary to them.

Mitzi won't let Bobby pet her dogs(he knows to ask first) since they have never been around children(they are 10 and 13) so she doesn't know how they'd react. Funny part is the dog she thought might be a problem(Dylan) is curious about him but the other dog(Jasmine) growls(when Bobby is in our yard and he is near the fence while I talk to Mitzi.)

Taryn

thanks for all the responses! I guess I didn't expect it simply because they are such cuddle bugs. They purr when I walk near them, when I poke them even. My little sister, mom and step dad are coming in about three weeks to visit (I am SO excited, I haven't seen them since January, they have never been here, lol) so they will meet a few new people who will be gentle- and around for two weeks.
Ryan (the litle) tried to hold Lucy, only he didn't get holding her TO him, he would hold her half way in front of him...so if she got near him, she latched on with claws...can't really blame her..lol.
They ended up letting him play with them, but still not touch them. It was probably for the best with how he held Lucy.

Alison Joy- I have a rat terrier too! Or so we think... She absolutely ADORES people, to the point where she forgets everything she knows when they are around. At the same time- she is terrified. She cowers on the floor, she occasionally piddles... While wagging her tail and BEGGING them to pet. She is a dork, she sits when I tell her at first, but if they don't pet her, she has to jump. She just HAS to. If they do pet, her head gets pressed to the floor like we beat her. Yet, I have had her since she was 8 weeks, and we have never, ever hit her. She is one confused pup!