Wondering the best way to help Mr. Jinx

ldg

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Oh no!!!!!!!! Oh I can just imagine your heartache! They worry us SO much when they disappear!

Are you SURE he's not in the crawl space? Are you SURE he's not somewhere else in the house? No matter how upset they are, they often come back to where they were eating.

Just mega vibes you find him or he comes home for food! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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mrjinx

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Ugh, good news everyone!!!

When I came home from getting Thanksgiving items today, Mr. Jinx was in our usual cuddle spot, waiting for me!!

I couldn't believe it and I ran down to see him, and I sat down, and it was like he never left. He immediately cuddled me like usual, and I fed him, everything is back to normal :)

I will give it another two weeks before I try it again, but I also got his carrier in, so I think I'll just try to lead him to eat in there - after a while, of course.
 
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mrjinx

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ldg

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Does this mean he's back? :clap: :clap: :clap:

I guess you're sure he got out!

ETA: Oh - I just saw your post BEFORE the pictures!

HE'S HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoo: :banana1: :banana2: :banana1: :bigthumb:
 
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mrjinx

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LMAO yes! We're buddies again.

I was definitely sure he got out, because I went under the house and everything. He's good at the escaping. I had completely forgotten that an area in the storage closet has one of those insulated air tubes, and there's a square cut into the floor around it that was never sealed. I had closed the closet door, but apparently if you don't close it tightly, it can be pushed open, and voila! He went down the triangle into the crawl space and out into the yard (or wherever he went).
 
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mrjinx

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Yes it is amazing! Before I attempt such things again, I'll be sure to do a giant check through the house, and not only shut that door tight, but place heavy boxes in front of it LOL.

Today it rained ALL day, and heavily, and he sat in the yard and waited for me to come outside. He was soaking wet and barely cared. I came out and pet him dry for a while, and now he is actually headbutting my face!

He's the best.

Can't wait to try a second round of bringing him inside, especially when the weather is SO bad. He is still coming inside, but of course he's wary now, so he'll only sit right at the doorway, and not for too long. I'm going to try and move his food bowl a foot or so more into the house until he's back in the kitchen again. Hopefully the smell of Thanksgiving turkey will make him lose his senses a bit :)
 

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Oh Yes - I am sure that turkey will lure him back inside :lol3:. Poor baby, being all wet from the rain.... :sniffle: but soon enough, he will be back inside :cross: I am so glad you have your boy back :hugs::hugs:
 
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Hi everyone,

So Mr. Jinx is now always outside my door. He hangs out all day long now, and only goes back to his sleeping place (under the shed) when he thinks I'm not coming out anymore. He is sitting sideways next to me and looking at me while I pet him. He's letting me basically pet him everywhere, but hasn't given his tummy up, so I'm still wary of attempting to pick him up.

However, the good news is that he is still coming inside to eat breakfast, so my husband wants to attempt the closing of the back door again tomorrow. We're working on the house today and setting up his safety room, so fingers crossed this time! ;)
 

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Have fun setting up his safe room (and making sure it's escape proof :lol3: :cross: )!

And I'm SURE the turkey will lure him right in! You might want to wear some thick leather gloves when you grab him to run him to the safe room LOL. In fact - you may want to put food in a crate outside and quick close the door. :dk: Our friendly ferals, we get them used to eating in a crate to the point they're relaxed when eating in there. Makes it SO much easier to just close the door if they need to get to the vet. :nod:

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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mrjinx

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I wish he would just go into the crate, but it seems he's pretty afraid of it. He's afraid of everything - blankets, clothes, cat toys, you name it. I tried to towel him while he was sopping wet and he bit the towel LOL.

We are going to set it up so that we block off the living room, so if he's frightened he'll run right into the only open doorway which is his safe room. In there we have a bed with an under bed area, his crate, food/water, cat box with soil/litter mix, and catnip. So hopefully that'll do the trick, and he'll start to feel safer in a few days.

And he will be spoiled in turkey right away!

Just hoping everything goes well.
 

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:cross: I hope all goes well too :D!!!! Much luck in getting him into his new room. Once he is in his safe room, I am sure he will settle in comfortably after a day or so. He already knows you and trusts that you are doing what is best for him. Hope it all goes well :clap::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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mrjinx

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Mr. Jinx is HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!

He came in this morning, we closed the door, and of course, no matter what we set up, he still found his way right under the couch! LOL

My husband and I had to traumatize him a bit to lure him out, he was so upset, and finally he found a safe room - not the room I set up, but the tiny bathroom! So we closed the door and I went in with food and water, and he's in the bathroom now, trying to relax.

I felt SO bad for upsetting and scaring him, but I knew getting him into a small space would help him feel safe and allow him to eat and drink, which is important.

He happened to pick the spot I keep the other cat's litter box, although it's a Booda dome, which may be too small for him. I'm going to try to exchange it out later for his actual box, but the room is SO tiny, I don't even know if I'll be able to.

He doesn't really have a hiding spot in the bathroom, which is the only big downer, but hopefully I'll be able to sneak something in for him. I'm going to leave him be for a good few hours, and maybe go in with a book later just to show him I'm still safe and don't mean him any harm.

Ugh, poor baby, but at least he's inside - it's so cold today!!!!
 

ldg

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:woohoo: More happy Thanksgiving news! :lol3: I'm sorry he chose such a small bathroom, but it will feel safer for him. :nod: Hope the larger litter box fits in there, and you can switch it up without a problem. Once he settles down and feels a little more secure you'll be able to move him to the safe room you set up for him.

He may not be happy for a few days, but with a regular routine of feeding, litter box cleaning, treats, and ..... just hanging with him reading or whatever, I'm sure he'll come around quickly. :D

Bless you and your DH! :hugs:

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: for Mr. Jinx! :rub:
 
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mrjinx

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Thank you!

I was able to switch out his box and give him the lid of the booda as an igloo-like hiding place. He's pretty miserable and only picked at his turkey plate. :(

He's shaking slightly too, but he hasn't tried to strike AT ALL and has meowed friendly-style when I came in to visit him. He won't come near me of course, but doesn't seem to mind when I'm in there. Hopefully by tomorrow he'll be a little less frightened. I feel SO SAD that he's scared.
 

feralvr

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Happy Thanksgiving, and a special one it is for sure :D!!!! The little bathroom is just fine for him for a bit. I am glad you switched out the Booda box. :clap::clap: Those are WAY too small for most cats to use as a litter box and the hooded boxes I stay away from. BUT the booda box is a great kitty bed and hideaway. I have a friend who has three of them just for cat beds and hideouts. The cat's just love them. It is totally normal for Mr. Jinx to be shaking a bit. He might do this for a few day's. OR he might just come out of his shell by tomorrow. :cross: Just spend some time in the bathroom with him, listening to quiet music, reading, talking to him. You can even leave a quiet radio going for him during the day. I am hoping to hear that he will quickly and easily adjust to being inside with you !!! I am SOOO happy for him :heart3: and I am so glad he is inside for the HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!! :woohoo:
 
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