Interesting times ahead

ldg

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I know the plan was to keep her in her room for the first little while, and it's only been a few days LOL, but just checking in to see how she's doing.
 
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dunnyboy69

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Sadly her urine problem appears to have got quite a bit worse over the last 48 hours. Her bedding tonight is really damp and she's left wet patches on our laps after cuddles.
Couple of solutions being discussed as to where we house her - where there's a will and all that. I'll send an update over the weekend. All will be well, we have a big property.
On a side note - and far more positively - her nipping has all but subsided. She loves to knead - she now just needs to learn that legs aren't for kneading on!! Big, big ouch.....
 

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Oh silly you! When you have a kneader, you need to keep thick things handy to protect the lap - like old sweaters or sweatshirts or cheap throw blankets on sale. And given her urine leaking problem, nicer for your laps anyway.
 
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dunnyboy69

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Hi all - so we're now a week into our time with Padders. It's been quite a trying week for all concerned (probably her in particular), but the last 48 hours have been very good.
As indicated in my last email, it was becoming evident that her leaking urine problem was getting worse. On Thursday night the family held emergency talks on what to do with her and on Friday, as planned since the start of the week, a lady from the rescue came over in the morning to catch-up.
Padders took this opportunity to do something very naughty. When we'd put her room together, we'd put a table in it near the window - her bed was on it and she was hopping up onto it to look out of the window. Anyway, as we walked in the room it quickly became evident that Padders had decided to have a pee on this table: it wasn't just spots or leakage but a fully-formed pee. The theory is that she was territory-marking now that she'd been in the room for 3-4 days.
This firmed our resolve that she couldn't stay in the spare room.
So to cut a long story short, Padders now lives in the utility room. When we're out and about, overnight and when there aren't too many comings and goings, she has the full run of the utility room. When we're needing to be in and out of the utility room a lot, she gets put in the cupboard under the stairs, which is behind a little door in the utility room. Now before anyone gets up in arms about this, let me tell you about this 'cupboard under the stairs'. It's about three times the size of an aircraft toilet, it has shelves, it's about 20x the size of the cage she was in at the shelter and, most crucially, it has a window. We kept various odds and ends in there, and it dawned on me the other day that it might be perfect for her.
Anyway, two and a bit days in and it's going really well. The window in the little room faces onto the garden, so when we're putting out washing, picking the rhubarb or generally pottering around, she can look out over us. Interestingly, even though the 'full' utility room is lovely and big, what we've found is that she seems very comfy in this little room and dozes in it even when she has full utility room access.
Another real benefit of this little room is that it is making the introduction to Rudi more straightforward. The last two evenings, I've fed her in the utility room and then put her back behind the door. I've then ushered Rudi in for his food. On night 1 she was reasonably quiet when I did this and so Rudi ate very calmly on the other side of the door. Last night, night 2, wasn't as encouraging; she was considerably more vocal (she is desperate to meet him!) and I noticed that Rudi was reluctant to come in. More worryingly, his ears flattened to his head. I cut things off at the pass and he had his food outside the back door (i.e. two doors away from her), being petted on.
I'll continue with this over the next fortnight. Then it'll be time to start introducing her to the outside world with some supervised time in the courtyard and garden (though supervising a cat is, I suspect, like nailing water to a wall). I continue to be concerned about how she'll get on with Rudi and LC, but I think they will learn to work it out between them as long as we take it slowly. I want to get to the stage where she can be indoors when we are and out and about on the farm during the day. One thing she'll have to do is temper her food intake. I leave dry food out for R & LC all day and they eat it in dribs and drabs. Rudi also gets a bit of wet food once or twice a day and he tends to eat 90% of it straight away. Padders, on the other hand, is a little pig! As soon as food bowl goes down, her nose is in it and the portion (whether wet or dry) is polished off in a matter of minutes. If she starts stealing food from Rudi and LC then she'll soon be very unpopular with them. Harsh as it may sound, I don't want to change the way I'm feeding R & LC to accommodate her; they are brilliant farm cats.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. What she's shown me in her first week here is that, in addition to being a very loving and playful (she loves wand toys)little girl, she is a quick learner - her nipping lasted no more than 24 hours and she's also been more much careful with her claws when being petted on laps (even though I have resorted to a big blanket!). It won't all be plain sailing I'm sure but fingers crossed it'll all work out
 

ldg

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So is it too late to change her name back to Tili? Or Cubbie? (I know that sounds kind of like a male name, but....
). Your Padders joins Harry Potter - good company!


The food situation down the road is going to be an interesting one.
We had a piggy feral cat... in the end, we brought him inside, he's a pet now, and we stopped free feeding the cats inside.
So I'm not going to be much help there if it becomes an issue. Let's just hope it doesn't!

Of course... for all her sweetness, this poor baby does come with her baggage.
I think you and the family are absolutely wonderful for being so willing to adapt as necessary to give her a good home!
I already know it's all going to work out, because you all have SUCH a wonderful attitude about it! The rescue must feel they hit the pot of gold, because you're literally a godsend for this little girl.

Given how curious she is - and apparently how active she'll want/wants to be, I think she's going to love being outside! And from that perspective, being a piggy is working in your favor.
Given that supervising a cat outside is like nailing water to a wall (love it!), her love of food has probably already made your home hers.


I suspect she's happier here than she was in the other room. There's more activity, whether she's in the cupboard or has full run of the utility room.
And I'm sure she feels nice and safe in there. Whenever kitties are brought to a new home, it's best to give them a small space to make their territory at first anyway.

I'm wondering... Rudi must have been able to smell her in the utility room, especially as she's... "leaky." Did he react at all to her smell before he heard her?

The ears flat isn't the best of signs... it's also not unexpected at first. Good to keep them separated for now (as you know!). Have you rubbed her with an old cloth and put it under his food? Might help work on his subconsious....


In fact... if he gets comfortable eating in the utility room with her yowling in the cupboard... maybe their first meeting out to be there, with the door open.
Feed them separately, and they'd both be eating their food.... and have toys at the ready to distract them? Focus on the food and the toys, and having them be able to see each other, but NOT interact?
Just thinking out loud here.....

For now, I'd keep reassuring Rudi that he's Man of the Yard.
With his tattered ears, we have to assume he's not always one to back down from a fight.
Of course... little Padders may end up being the alpha cat. In the end, you just never know, and they'll have to work it out. The slow introduction is hopefully something that will make it easier on everyone.
 
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dunnyboy69

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End of week update...more developments

After a good start in the utility room/ cubby hole, the week went downhill for Padders. The pee problem is a little worse than I'd initially thought and after trying to defumigate the utility room for a third time in three days, I've had to take the decision to make her an outdoor only cat. It's a great shame as she is loving and friendly, but unfortunately can't be an indoor girl. I feel bad, but we've given it a chance and she'll hopefully continue to prosper with us.

On the brighter side of things, she is an adapter and there is encouraging (maybe even excellent) news on the fitting-in-with-Rudi front.

She's now in the little outside barn/ playhouse in our garden that housed Ruby and Little Cow about a year ago during their 3 week acclimitisation period. It's fractionally leaky (remedying that this weekend) but she has lots of her comforts in there, plus some lovely beds and cosy, straw-filled spots. Best of all, it's split level: it is wooden and sturdy and was designed as a playhouse for the farmer's 2 young daughters. Apparently one would have her imaginary world upstairs while the other would be downstairs doing her thing. Padders is up and down the little wooden steps a-plenty.

Over the course of the week, there had been a lot of scent-swapping between her and Rudi and I think that has helped a lot. When I took her out to the playhouse yesterday, I let her have a little run around in the garden while I was putting her things in. Little did I know that Rudi was in the garden! Suddenly I saw him sat by the silver birch tree and thought the worst. However, what happened was that she wandered off to the silver birch, stood a foot away from him, foofed her tail at him and hissed a wee bit. And he did...nothing. He just sat there. Exactly the same happened this morning when I went to feed her - he'd obviously spent the night sat near her barn.

I'm sure you readers of this will put me right if I'm wrong but I believe this is a fantastic sign. Once Padders was back in her little house I praised and petted him to high heaven. I think he's clever (and loving) enough to pick up on my signals that I want him to get on with her and, if so, I'd like to nominate him for Cat of the Year! What an awesome lad he is.

As it's going to be the outdoor life for Padders, first stop this morning was the vets for a microchip. All was fine until the way home from the vet when she decided to have a wee, somehow managing to miss the quilt that covered the back seat. So any suggestions on how to get rid of a cat wee smell from car upholstery will be much appreciated.

For the moment we're going to supervise her visits outside. However it won't be long before we let have free run - we'll put a cat flap in the playhouse. She seemed to absolutely love her jaunt around the garden yesterday so I'm hopeful that she'll be a star. It was very evident from her time in the utility room that she craves stimulation, new things to do and to play with as she miaowed for us/ to get out pretty much morning, noon and night and it's interesting that her pee problem seemed to get worse as she did (same as it did in week 1 in the spare room). It must have been hell for her cooped up for about 6 months.

With regard to Padders' health, I have a friend who used to work for the shelter we got her but has recently started elsewhere (for what sound like political reasons). She's the one who put me onto Padders case. I've been chatting with her this past fortnight and she's been both helpful and supportive, backing my decisions to move her both times. She's also asked if I'll go Dutch on taking Padders to another vet for a second opinion on her leakage issues and I've agreed. That's not for a week so for now it's just a case of keeping her happy,fed and safe. And on that front, I'll continue to do my best.
 

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AWWWW Padders is one lucky girl to have you caring for her
You are doing everything right and the best you can for her considering her leakage problem. You won't have to worry about her disappearing, she sounds to happy there with you and the other cats. I think you are doing a fantastic thing for Padders, more than anyone else would, I am sure
.

This probably has already been tried in the past by the other people who had her, but there is a medication that will tighten up the urinary tract sphincter muscle (it works on dogs very, very well). I think they are called Alpha-Adrenergic drugs and it might be worth looking into and trying. Good luck with the second opinion, I think you are taking wonderful care of Padders
 

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Well, seems to me the whole thinking in approaching you about Padders was that if the leaking problem couldn't be solved, then there was the option to have her live outside. You've got the method to do it properly, and it was clear right from the start she's got the energy to really enjoy it!


I also completely and totally agree with Lauren - not only are you wonderful for giving her love and her life back, I think she knows it. I think that once she's got free run, you won't have to worry about her going anywhere.


And Rudi...
... give that cat his award!


You are right - that is FABULOUS! And if all she did is hiss and poof... all you need to worry about now is if little miss piggy is going to eat all his food!

something like the medication Lauren suggested will work for Padders! Wouldn't that be wonderful to be able to have that love bug indoors during nasty weather?

Now as to your car seat... I don't know what enzyme cleaners are available in the UK. But call the shelter, perhaps, to ask them what enzyme cleaner they use. They most certainly will use one.
The ONLY thing that will clean cat pee smell forever is this type of cleaner. You may have to use a fair amount on the car seat over several treatments, because cat pee wicks, and until you get the enzyme cleaner to reach all of the places her urine may have soaked down into, the smell won't go away.

The proper way to use an enzyme cleaner is to soak the affected area. SOAK. Leave it for 10 - 15 minutes. Blot up as much as you can... then let it air dry. I know from experience that when it's on a cushion, it usually takes more than one treatment.
 
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dunnyboy69

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I'll post a proper update in the next week or so (in my usual, rambling fashion but plus pictures), but for now just a short and sweet 'everything is going really well' note. Padders loves the outside life - she is such an adaptable little thing. Thanks for all the best wishes.
I must hold my hands up and say that, in her two weeks indoors, I couldn't really feel I'd bonded with her at all, so busy was I tending to her needs and making sure she hadn't piddled in an inappropriate place. Moreover, when you've only ever had independent 'grown-up' outdoor cats, having a rather needy indoor teenager is quite a change of pace!
But seeing her running around HER garden, standing proudly at the door to HER recently-refurbished house whilst showing HER first kill (a poor little tree sparrow...I'm hoping she'll move on to mice, moles and rabbits like the other two), I'm starting to get quite fond of the little lady! She clearly LOVES her little hut - I'll post pics soon. She and Rudi are also fine with one another. I haven't seen very much of Little Cow of late, but I did catch her gazing at Padders the other day in an inquisitive manner. I'm sure they'll meet properly soon, though I'm making a point of locking Padders away for the night at the moment when I do the last feed. This also means I can get some quality Rudi-time
!
for now, stay well and go well
 

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A great update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, it sounds like keeping her in at night works really well.
I'm so glad you're still getting quality Rudi time in. Even better, they're good with each other!
 
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dunnyboy69

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Pics and an update from young Padders

http://s1235.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=015.jpg

http://s1235.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=027.jpg

http://s1235.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=011.jpg

http://s1235.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=008.jpg

"The old man comes to my house at about 8:30 and lets me out. I chase around a bit and get under the old man's feet while he comments on the vast quantities of poop I've done overnight ('Blimey, girl, you could sh*t for England') while he scoops out my litter. I then race to the back door and try and find my big brother Rudi and see if that funny cat the old man calls a 'Cow' is around. I've seen her once or twice and she's weird, although the old man likes her. I say hello to Rudi by having a little nose rub and some sniffing of derrieres and then eat my food. Sometimes I try to pinch a bit of Rudi's and he's not too worried about this. It's funny: when I first came here I ate everything but now I'm getting quite fussy and seem to like dry food more than wet. I've even started leaving some! Then the old man says something about going to work, so I run around his courtyard and farm for a while honing my hunting skills. Rudi won't come with me as he says he's old and needs a sleep, but sometimes he watches me from afar and tells me about the rabbits he caught last winter (although I reckon that that 'Cow' cat actually caught them and Rudi is just taking the credit). But I'm sometimes sad when the old man and his family aren't around so, just in case any of them are still in the house, I don't go too far from the courtyard. I might pop back to my house for some biscuits or I might sit outside their house and call out for them to see if anyone is there, but if they are they seem to ignore me which is a pity. Sometimes the old man comes back for what he calls 'lunchtime' and we have a play with my wand toy. The afternoon is then like the morning (although I might have a little sleep) - I wish I could be like Rudi who just deposits himself in a pile of straw in the barn or under a tree and sleeps for hours. But I've got too much energy and I want to meet people. When the old man comes back it's time for tea and another play and then he hoodwinks me into going back into my little house (do you like the photo of my home?) by putting a couple of treats in there. And then it's time for bed.'

So there you go! On a more serious note, Padders went to the vet the other day for a check on her pee problem. This 'second opinion' vet found her to be a healthy young lady and is convinced that it's a problem that can be improved, if not cured, through medical care. They believe that the best option is a little exploratory operation which will involve a midline incision and an examination of her urinary tract. It is believed they will find a loose sphincter which can be improved by moving muscles or stitching the sphincter. I've agreed to cover the costs of this - it's not too expensive.

My caveat, however, is that, if the operation is successful then Padders should be put up for adoption. I can't have an indoor only (or even indoor-mainly) cat and this little lady would benefit so much from having a big loving family around her and a predominantly indoor lifestyle. My feeling is that, if I pay for her op, then I should also decide her future. I've now owned her for almost a month and I think I know what's best for her (I don't think the shelter people agree with me and are trying to twist my arm - something they seem to do very successfully). Rest assured I would screen potential new owners very carefully. And if the op isn't fully successful then I'll continue and care for her though she'll have to be an outdoor lady (although she can eat in the utility room with Rudi if the weather is rubbish and, just maybe, sleep indoors if the weather is bad).

best to all
 

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LOVE IT!!!!!!

Aw, it all makes me smile.

That is GREAT news that this may be fixable - and not cost an arm and a leg either!


And there is not a person on this site that would criticize you for doing what's best for THE CAT. Your lease doesn't allow indoor pets to begin with... I find the attitude of the shelter people to be a bit odd, honestly.
Not only have you given this wonderful little girl happiness, you're potentially giving her the chance to live a really pampered life, sleeping in beds and curled up by the fire.... well, you know what I mean.


 

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Oh goodness
Padders is a true beauty
. She looks so happy, confident and relaxed in those photos
. How wonderful and kind of you to pay for her surgery. It sounds like it will really solve her problem
. I cant imagine why the shelter would mind you trying to find an indoor home for her if the surgery is successful
. You would think they would be thrilled and grateful that you have gone the extra mile for her in regards to the leakage problem and allow you, under the circumstances, to find her an indoor only home, which is probably what Padders would love
. Well, first the surgery and let's see if that works
. So happy to read the great update on all of the kitties
 
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An update on things at this end.

Life with Paddy (we've almost stopped calling her Padders) remains up and down - a couple of steps forward, one step back. On the whole, she has adapted well to outdoor life. However, mischievous little thing that she is, she has taken to refusing to go into her little house at night, preferring instead one or more of the other barns around the farm courtyard area. After a week full of evenings spending 30-40 frustrating minutes trying to corral and coerce her (and picking her up only to see her wriggle free), we reached the stage a week or so ago of saying enough is enough, and are just letting her sleep where she wants to.
For the first few nights this led to lots of crying and wailing at the back door. Heartbreaking, but we've had to show tough love. And now, a week or so in, the crying seems to have stopped and she's becoming more independent. She doesn't even run straight into the utility room any more as soon as we open the door.
We've also managed to get her still enough to get a collar with a little bell on it. I know it's only her nature, but I don't like her catching birds (she turned up with a partridge one day last week and they are fairly endangered!) so I'm hoping this will help.
On the medical front, there's been a slight change of tack. I detail this below and would appreciate feedback.
We went back in to the vet on Friday to get her second batch of vaccinations done and also talk about her operation. Same practice, different vet: but this one has suggested medicine prior to any operation and so I'm now (meant to be) administering something called Propylin (sic?) twice a day into her food. It's apparently most commonly used in dogs but can be used in cats on reduced doses. I've very mixed views on this; first and foremost, over recent weeks she's gone from being a pig to being picky, which means that I can't be sure that Rudi (or maybe even LC) aren't actually eating her food. Sadly, I simply don't have the time to sit over her and make sure she is eating all her food up! This morning, for example, I put the drops in to some juicy beefy thing in gravy and she had a couple of mouthfuls and then started wandering around. Apparently it won't do the other cats any harm so that's not a worry. I've been told that I could try syringing it into her mouth but I simply don't have the time or inclination to go down such a route. The second concern is that, to test whether the drugs are working, we are going to have to let her back in the house of an evening. This, to my mind, could undo a lot of the work we've done of getting her used to being outside (I appreciate that this would happen if she were operated on, but the operation wouldn't be/ have been for a few months). The third concern is that I'm starting to think that it is an issue that previous owner caused or knew more about than they have let on to. Whilst she's incredibly nimble on her feet, I've always thought when I've seen her scampering around that she runs in a very strange way, with her back legs essentially a little splayed. It's not noticeable when she walks. A friend who has owned cats all her life came over yesterday and, whilst she and her children played with Paddy, she - unprompted - made the comment 'Paddy seems to jump-run rather than run with her back legs - it's like they move simultaneously, not one slightly after the other'. All of which suggests to me that she's been in an accident of some kind which will probably mean it's nerve damage and, as such, it is an incurable issue.
I'm fully aware that my 'won't administer drugs via a syringe' and 'reluctant to let her back in' may come off as heartless, but we need to revisit the top of the hour. This is where I saved the life of a cat that was going to be euthanised on the proviso I could make her a barn/ farm cat with benefits. And that is what I've done (not to mention vaccinations, microchipping, medicines etc). If I'm honest, as much as Paddy is growing on me, I feel as if I've been a bit hoodwinked into going over and above the line of duty. As it stands, I am very tempted to knock all these various treatments etc on the head, say to the shelter people 'look she's happy with me and we're happy with her - no more treatment and she can live out her days with me as a farm cat with benefits'. Cost isn't an issue here - it is more a feeling that a) I'm being taken advantage of and b) that unless I nip it in the bud, we'll be searching forever and a day. There have been times over the last couple of weeks when I have almost resented Paddy for taking up so much of my time, and whilst I know that will again make me sound heartless, I hope you'll understand that I feel I am being pulled in many different directions!
anyway, best to all
 

ldg

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Aw, I don't know who's messing with your head, but no need to be defensive! You don't sound heartless
. You've given this girl her life, love, and a home!


But wasn't it the shelter people that were happy with Paddy being just a barn cat with benefits? I thought the going above-and-beyond was something you took on on your own, because you felt the shelter people weren't doing enough? My memory may be failing me here.
Either way, no one here is going to criticize whatever decision you make, because ultimately, the bottom line is that you saved her life.


Re: the medication. Quick question - is it available in pill form, or only in liquid? I HATE getting liquid meds into cats, period. A pill you can pop in a pill pocket or butter or something, or even just kneel behind them and shove it down their throat (sorry, sounds harsh, but...) in about two seconds flat.


Does she like any food better than another? Ours love the gravy from any pouch products. To feed a liquid and make sure she eats it, perhaps a time efficient method that ensure better compliance on her part would be to pour just a little gravy/liquid-something-yummy in a bowl and put her medicine in there, and prepare her regular food, go out, put down her liquid - and because there's so little, she'll lap it up quickly maybe use cat milk/goat milk/cream?), then you put down her food. ????

And I thought the keeping her in her little house at night at first was only so she didn't run away? She knows this is home now, so I wouldn't worry about her not wanting to sleep in there at this point.

I am sorry about the wailing.... it is stressful.


I also agree that bringing her in at this point would cause a set back in the progress you've made in transitioning her to the outside. The only thing that comes to my mind is that rather than just let her in the utility room to see what happens, maybe stick her in a crate, and put her back in the first room she was in for the night, whenever it's time to give it a try? Then recrate her to take her back outside. It's a small difference - but one where she's not just "let" into the house.


But if she's happy.... if the medicating is too stressful, and the need with this process to have her inside will keep her wanting inside... perhaps give it one go and see what happens. I know that means you may have to go through the wailing again. But at least you gave it the shot before deciding to end the process having gone this far with it.


Ultimately, however, what happens if this does solve her peeing problem? It's not exactly easy to rehome older kitties as it is - is it? And you're technically not allowed to have her inside! So IS it all worth it?

I honestly don't know what I'd do in your shoes. I don't know who's pressuring you into what... but it seems to me it all hinges on one question. IF all of this work you put into her DOES solve the peeing problem, how likely is it that she finds a home where she can be inside? If the chances are high, I'd probably pursue it if it's not too much pressure and time on you to get there.
 
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dunnyboy69

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Thanks for the note - you've hit the nail on the head as ever and made me feel a whole heap better.
Part of the issue is with the shelter - there are some politics involved. Don't know if I've mentioned previously but the person I'm dealing with USED to work for the shelter involved but left owing to a difference of opinion. She heard about Paddy through her old connections there and got in touch with me as she placed Ruby and LC with me. So the shelter aren't meant to know she's my contact - I don't think they would have homed Paddy with me (even though they were desperate) if they'd known as it sounds like it was a fairly major tiff. And, as cynical as it may sound, there is a part of me that thinks she is being so 'involved' with Paddy as a form of one-upmanship on her old cohorts.
The crux of the issue is that if we try and fix Paddy through medication (apparently liquid only available) it still may be difficult to home her, as she'll need to take this medicine forever and, whilst still under 2 and a pretty little thing, she's not an 8 week old bundle of malleable energy and fluff. And if we go down the the operation route it will be both costly and, I fear, may really set Paddy back - I believe she would be in recuperation for a week or two - without any guarantee of working.
So I reckon the path of least resistance - and the one that will stop me feeling as frazzled as I do - is simply to accept that she's now an outdoor kitty. I will feed and care for her and fix her problems 'on my watch' in the way I do with Rudi (who I suspect has been in another fight - big red welt and missing fur above one eye) but I shall have to close the book on the peeing problem. With good nutrition, a little bit of daily love and a warm barn or two, the little monkey should continue to thrive ...... ;-)
(p.s. we always knew the little house would be temporary, and she clearly returns there for naps during the day. She's now made a big old dog kennel in the courtyard her second home - it's filled with straw, probably lovely and toasty and about the same size as her little house. To be honest, I don't envisage her running away - my greater fear is over cars, both ours and those on the road about 90 feet away. Bless her, she's taken to following me when I work to my office, a few hundred yards away! But I guess she'll learn!)
 

ldg

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Oh gotcha. Yes, the politics makes a stressful situation worse.
Glad you've got TCS to help remove some of the "buzzing" giving you the headaches.


Yes, rehoming and older kitty (not that she's "old," but you know what I mean) that requires daily medication is not an easy feat. I understand why the person you've been dealing with is pushing for you to find a solution to her peeing problem... but if it's such a big deal to her, why doesn't he/she foster Paddy, give her the medication, and adopt her out? You wanted two barn cats, and got them (OK, not quite the way you planned.
Ruby
). And you saved yet another life.
Paddy's one lucky girl to have found her way to you, just as she is.

Honestly, given the stress it seems to be causing both of you, taking that step back and reevaluating the situation will probably make both of you happier in the long run.


There are people willing to put in the work and take that long shot... but the truth is that finding a home for a not-kitten cat that requires daily medication to not pee everywhere is NOT an easy thing. There is absolutely no reason for you to beat yourself up or pay attention to any "noise" detracting from the wonderful thing you've already done.
 

obpilot

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an outdoor kitty, and NOTHING wrong with that! Happy, healthy and cared for. Gets her lovin from you periodically. When inclement weather occurs she has her "own" safe place from foxes and coyotes and the like to hole up in. She's got another cat friend or two. And all in all, that's what I would call a success!
 
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dunnyboy69

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cheers for the feedback...quick update from this end:

Paddy - doing better each day. Has caught us 5 mice in the past week and been praised to high heaven for it. Has made the straw-filled dog kennel in the courtyard her hangout - she now basically eschews the little house in the garden. Seems very settled and, now that I'm settled on the plan of action for her, all is well. She's becoming a very, very fine farm cat. (note for obpilot - we don't get coyotes in the UK, but we do get foxes...that said, I've always heard that foxes tend to avoid cats as they realise that cats have rather sharp claws!)

Rudi - is pretty much completely under Paddy's thumb, not that he seems to mind. I've seen him grooming her a couple of times this week - if somebody had told me two months ago he'd be doing that, I'd have been staggered. With Paddy now firmly ensconsed in the courtyard area, the onset of Autumn has seen Rudi resume his residence in one of the barns at the back of the farm, though he pootles up to the house for a meal and always acknowledges your presence when you wander by him (if he's feeling energetic, this means coming over to you and demanding a little petting. Otherwise it's a big meow from his straw-lined perch)

Little Cow - well, she's now been on the farm for a full year. Unbelievable that a year has passed since I adopted her and her sibling/ friend, Ruby. She remains utterly feral and is a mystery to me, though I love her dearly. There were a couple of times over the summer when I, by chance, got to c. 15-20 feet of her while she was out and about and we had a nice 'chat'. But that hasn't happened for a while now; indeed, since Paddy's been on the scene she appears to be more confined to her barns than ever.
The dynamic between her and the others is weird. Rudi has never liked her and that's why I have been feeding them in separate locations for most of the year; Rudi (and now Paddy) up near the house/ outside the back door, The Cow down in the lean-to about 40 feet from the house. Now it seems that, unfortunately, Paddy has also taken against Little Cow. A few weeks ago I was sitting at the upstairs window and noticed them in the lean-to a few feet apart just looking at one another, which I thought was a promising sign. However yesterday Paddy saw LC eating in the lean-to and dashed across the courtyard in a very aggressive manner. LC - well, she ran away into one of her many boltholes. This prompted Paddy to try and follow her and lots of caterwauling ensued! Fortunately it all calmed down pretty quickly.

I'm really not sure why Paddy and Rudi don't like Little Cow. I'm guessing that it's mainly a territorial thing, but I wonder if they have also picked up on her fearfulness ('fearful' and 'feral' are such near-neighbours, aren't they?) and are, in a sense, bullying her. I'm guessing that her running from them may be sending out signals which they are taking umbrage with.

Ultimately, though, she's now stuck around for a full year so she can't be unhappy. With the poorer weather approaching I've thought about trying to get them all to feed up near the house, but I've come to the conclusion that this would be counter-productive. So we're at the stage where my little feral girl is going to remain on the edge of farm life, accepting of being seen (that's one step up on last year!) but wanting to keep the lowest possible profile. She knows she's fed but she doesn't know she's loved, and that's a shame. But as she's about 3-4 years old now, I don't foresee any change - but I live in hope........

bests to all
 

ldg

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Sounds like all is well in your world kitty-cat wise.


As to LC... there are "pariah" kitties. And yes, the others pick up on her fearfulness and submissiveness.
We have a pariah kitty (one of our indoor girls). EVERYONE picks on her. At first, we tried to alter their behavior when going after her, because it was only one or two kitties. But over time, we've learned that's not the way to handle it (and they're not hurting her, just dominating/chasing her, and certainly not all the time). Cats have their hierarchy, and it works much better if us humans don't meddle with it. Our situation is different, because Spooky is inside and knows our love, and we can take her aside and give her individual attention.

But with the ferals.... they're feral. And LC has a FAR better life on your farm than in a cage. She's happy in her world, I'm sure. She needn't live in fear, or wondering where her next meal is coming from. She's spayed, so she doesn't have hormones raging, and she's not caring for litter after litter, sapping the life out of her.

Yes, it breaks our heart because we know how much kitties - once they know they love it - love being loved. But SHE doesn't know she's missing it. She's got shelter, safety and security, and that's a pretty good life.
 
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