"Project Saving Gracie" - Intro Day 5

For those who don't know Gracie's story, here is an earlier thread: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=222942
We keep making progress everyday with miss Gracie... Today, day #5 here in the house, things are starting to look brighter - for all of us.
For starters, she went to the groomers! Oh yeah, girl spent the whole afternoon in the kitty spa (aka wet torture chamber ).
Let me tell you I had nightmares all night and yes, even said a prayer - not for Gracie, but for the Groomer - the girl is feisty. She's been here for 5 days, and when she hisses, man, she HIIIIIISSSEEESS I need to record one day for you guys to believe it! She means business! I am totally afraid of her - 10-4 kitty, GOT the message .
So, took like 1/2 hour coaxing her into the carrier - pretty much cornered her with the carrier, her bed and a towel . Don't worry you guys, I was gentle and took a lot of time talking to her.... Thing is, I am just petrified of her tremendously mean hiss! I know, I am silly
So, in the carrier, to the groomer we go -
Surprise #1: She is an AMAZING car rider! Just meows softly and is not scared at all of the car... Awesome ride!
Dropped her off at one strongly advising them to use iron mesh gloves
So, 1 hour goes by, no phone call... 2 hours, 3, 4, 4 1/2... I call on my way in...... "Hello mom, she did GREAT, she was a sweetheart" SAID WHAT?????
They said that in the beginning she really hissed, but that's all... They were able to do the whole thing - 20 minutes flea bath (she was COVERED in fleas), cut her claws, washed her 2x, cleaned her ears, even brushed her teeth! The girl is sparkling! And she was able to keep her long and now oh so soft fur! They really take their time 4 1/2 hours and are super gentle with the fur babies....
She got home and for my surprise #3, was not stressed at all, got right out of her carrier ate, drank her water, and went for a nap.
While she was out I got some De Flea spray and sprayed the whole bathroom, her bed, everything, so there wouldn't be fleas alive for her return.
I also got baby gates tonight, and everybody, including her, are doing awesome with it!
I plan to take as much time as she needs in the bathroom for her to get adjusted.
Her appetite is getting lower, so I think the Thyroid meds are finally kicking in!!
So..... Without further ado, here is our now clean and soft little old lady!


Hello, Are you talking to me?


See, check it out - I have clean ears!


So... clean, soft and relaxed!


Hope watches Gracie from my lap


Lucky takes a peek!

WOW Gracie your spa day seems to helped you all around

Wow, you really are making a lot of progress with her (and Hope, if she can quietly sit on your lap and watch Gracie)!

Gracie is such a stunning beauty!!! Goodness Carolina, is she ever lucky to have you!

Wow - she looks great and I would venture to guess she FEELS great ...NOW!

She will fit in just fine... I know you know to give it time and patience.

Originally Posted by Carolina

Hello, Are you talking to me?



Lucky takes a peek!

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WOW! Is she ever a beauty! I've never seen a cat with short hair on the head/face and long hair everywhere else!

And I agree! She sure is lucky to have you! She went to Heaven, but didn't have to cross The Rainbow Bridge to get there!

Those baby gates are a wonderful idea! I'm considering getting a companion for Abby and didn't even think about using baby gates to intro them in a 1 bedroom apartment. Something else for me to think about before I make my decision.

Oh my gosh, however did I miss that Gracie came HOME! Oh Carolina congratulations to both of you.

I'm so thrilled that you've done this, and you'll never regret it. What a beautiful beautiful girl. What a lucky lady. I am just having raptures all over myself.

My deepest most heartfelt congratulations to you, Carolina.

I'm so glad they didn't have to shave her, esp. since we've had the "cold snap". She just looks SO gorgeous and content.

I really like that bed she has. Where did you get that? I need one like that for my crew. Of course, a fight is sure to break out over it.

With your patience and love, she's going to do just fine with your crew. She's probably never known as much love as you've shown her in the past 5 days.

I'm using baby gates as well... Portia gets to see JoJo and vice versa... Portia also gets to see me in my usual running around for things... the door is right across from the kitchen, so she sees me prep my meals as well as theirs... and JoJo is getting closer to the door, which is good...

I'm glad you got on to the baby gates idea.... if not, I was going to mention it. Looks like you're making excellent progress!

Gracie does not look pleased with you. She is so pretty, I am glad she got to keep her fur.

She is in good hands with you Carolina!!! She's nice and clean and beautiful. Little thing is kinda skinny, isn't she? Thank you for saving yet another kitty in this world!!!

Look at the lovely lady! And the best picture is the one of Hope on your lap!

Oh bless her, Gracie is just beautiful, thank you for helping her, she is indeed in very good very hands with you.xx

Just peeking in for any update.

Aw, Gracie is definitely in good hands. Glad to see that integration is going relatively well.

Ooh, how fab is she looking - glad to hear the groomers went well, she's so pretty

That girl is gorgeous! She's truly lucky to have you!

Aww, she is so pretty! I'm happy the day at the groomer worked out well and it seems the transition is going pretty well for all of you so far.

It's been two days! We need an update! (please )

Originally Posted by AddieBee

Wow - she looks great and I would venture to guess she FEELS great ...NOW!

She will fit in just fine... I know you know to give it time and patience.

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I bet she feels a whole lot better too, without all that mud and those fleas! Gosh, I sure hope she mixes well with the bunch... I would hate to have her and my babies unhappy... I am taking things slowly, but I can see I can not take too much longer - she is bored in there... Laying on her bed way too much, doesn't want to get up from her bed too often... Her time in the bathroom is about to expire and is making me nervous - I think in at the most a couple of days she has got to come out or else she will get depressed and I do not want that...

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

WOW! Is she ever a beauty! I've never seen a cat with short hair on the head/face and long hair everywhere else!

And I agree! She sure is lucky to have you! She went to Heaven, but didn't have to cross The Rainbow Bridge to get there!

Those baby gates are a wonderful idea! I'm considering getting a companion for Abby and didn't even think about using baby gates to intro them in a 1 bedroom apartment. Something else for me to think about before I make my decision.

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She is a true beauty, isn't she? I love how her ears are set! Yes, the baby gates are really helping... The kitties are watching her more and more and vice-versa - there are less hisses as time goes by, yesterday for example, not even one hiss!

Originally Posted by otto

Oh my gosh, however did I miss that Gracie came HOME! Oh Carolina congratulations to both of you.

I'm so thrilled that you've done this, and you'll never regret it. What a beautiful beautiful girl. What a lucky lady. I am just having raptures all over myself.

My deepest most heartfelt congratulations to you, Carolina.

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Thank you otto! She sure did!
I am taking things slowly, day by day.... Hopefully everything will work out and everyone will be happy... It's all I will ask... I will confess I am very very nervous...

Originally Posted by stephanietx

I'm so glad they didn't have to shave her, esp. since we've had the "cold snap". She just looks SO gorgeous and content.

I really like that bed she has. Where did you get that? I need one like that for my crew. Of course, a fight is sure to break out over it.

With your patience and love, she's going to do just fine with your crew. She's probably never known as much love as you've shown her in the past 5 days.

Click to expand...

Thank you... I am glad she got to keep her beautiful coat too! I got that bed from a lady right here in Texas - they are great, actually the only beds that get used here in the house... Here is her Blog: Hamicks for Cats.

Originally Posted by mbjerkness

Gracie does not look pleased with you. She is so pretty, I am glad she got to keep her fur.

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She was fine - she was actually trying to catch the light from my cell phone (I use it instead of the flash).

Originally Posted by Bellaandme

She is in good hands with you Carolina!!! She's nice and clean and beautiful. Little thing is kinda skinny, isn't she? Thank you for saving yet another kitty in this world!!!

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She is very skinny because of the Thyroid that was untreated for so long...