I'm Turtle's New Mommy

Turtle's first mommy was a member here for a year or two before she passed away. I adopted Turtle and I can see she is still grieving over her loss. Me too.

She's been gone for a few months and i decided to come to TCS because I'm really unsure how to handle little Turtle. To be honest, I've always been uptight with cats. Just not too sure about them. So here I am, with a cat I don't understand and I don't know what to do for her. So I hope I can get whatever help experienced and dedicated people can spare.

Oh wow, I am SO SO SO SO sad to hear about Cheryl! I've been thinking of her constantly and wondering what happened. It was so unlike her to be gone for so long. So many members will grieve her loss. :heart3: :heart3: I knew the outlook wasn't good with her kidney disease, but this is just such sad, sad, news. So many TCS kitties over the bridge are blessed with her love now, but their gain is our loss.

Anyway.... thank you for joining TCS. And thank you for adopting Turtle!

Perhaps you can describe for us more about what questions you have? What her behavior is? I will find some of Cheryl's threads about Turtle, especially when she first came to her, and maybe those will help you some. :cross:

...and, of course, Cheryl is now reunited with her beloved Bella. :heart3: :heart3: :heart3:

OMG, I was wondering what happened to Cheryl too. I am truly sorry to hear that she has departed earth and now joined the Angels. I am sure she's now pain free and happily with her Bella and extremely grateful that Turtle has been there for her through it all.

I'm sure Turtle will soon come to terms with you. I am sure you will provide all the patience and TLC she needs.

OK, here are some threads that may help?

I can't seem to find the thread where Cheryl talked about it, but I remember when she brought Turtle home, I think she hid under the bed for quite some time. Cheryl worried if she'd ever get comfortable and come to love her. She did. And she will you too. :heart3: :rub:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/231627/getting-to-know-my-turtle-dove

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/231937/just-wondering-about-this-thing

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/232345/have-you-ever-done-this-to-your-cat


But basically, cats are all about territory. First, she needs to feel safe, and make your home hers. Poor Turtle has had a lot of upset the last year, so it may take her longer this time. She was rehomed to Cheryl, and now rehomed to be with you. So she might not be very trusting right at the moment. From what I know about Turtle, the best thing to do is give her her space, but spend as much time as you can playing with her. I think play is the way to that girl's heart.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/232513/turtle-and-me-and-her-ocd

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/233226/i-miss-my-loving

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/233695/baby-steps This thread was written in July. Turtle allowed Cheryl to brush her for the first time. She came to Cheryl in May.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/233721/did-i-wake-up-in-a-dream Again - July - the first time Cheryl found Turtle on the bed with her.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/234003/turtles-got-a-new-habit Something to watch out for. I don't know if Turtle ever got a dental? :dk:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/234018/just-wanting-to-brag-a-little By the end of July, she was sleeping ON Cheryl. :lol3:


I hope these threads help bring some insights into the behavior of your Turtle Dove. And for ANY questions, support, and cheers for any small steps, we're here if you want.

Oh no, oh no, this is such sad, sad news, I am heartbroken, I really am, Cheryl was such a good friend to me and helped me through so much.  Omg I really am so, so sad, my poor friend Cheryl, I have thought about her a lot over the past few months and I was afraid of something like this. I am sure Turtle will be fine, she has someone to care for her now.R.I.P Cheryl, you will be greatly, greatly missed.xxx

OMG .... well, first off, welcome to TCS and thank you so very much for coming here to tell us of Cheryl's passing. I have been thinking of Cheryl just recently and had a feeling she was not well because we had not heard from her. I am shocked and so very saddened to hear this news as I am certain others are too. Laurie is right..... Bella and Cheryl are now reunited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am filled with sadness at the moment and will pray for your new baby, Turtle dove :heart3: Thank you for taking her and of course, we will help you in anyway we can with Turtle.

OH Cheryl I think some of us had to have known something was wrong as you have not been checking in here. YOu will be terribly missed by many. You are now at peace and with the love of your life, Bella. You are now an angel in heaven to many of our RB kitties, I am sure. RIP Cheryl...

This is just so , so sad......
We just knew something was wrong..... Something had to be wrong! Oh Cheryl, no matter where you are honey, know that we care.... Know that even though we never knew you in person, we truly cared for you :heart3: We will miss you dearly
I am so sorry we couldn't say goodbye.....
Enjoy your time with Bella, dear friend :rub:

To TurtlesnewMommy,
Sorry this thread has become emotional.... We were quite attached to Cheryl, she was a good friend here at TCS; we cared a lot for her..... She stopped posting all of the sudden in mid-December, and we tried hard to find out anything about her, for no avail We sent PMs, opened threads, and even cards to her home, but never got a response with what was going on with her....
This thread is how we found out she has passed

About Turtle..... I am not sure what is going on, but I am pretty sure she must be deeply grieving her loss - Cheryl and Turtle became very bonded...... Who of us will ever forget reading this post of how Turtle woke Cheryl from the Coma?

Originally Posted by Cheryl's friend
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!! SHE'S AWAKE!!!!!!!

I managed to get Turtle in to see her yesterday. She's such a wild little cat I didn't know what would happen. She curled up on Cheryl's chest and started to lick her chin!! I thought I was watching God at work.

The nurses had all agreed to "turn their heads" so I could sneak Turtle in to Cheryl's room.

Ten, this morning, I thought I'd drop in before going to church. was getting ready to leave when I heard her first words in weeks, "Where's my Turtle-Dove?"

Well, she says she remembers nothing about her time in a coma, but she says she could feel Turtle's presence around her. Her muscles are a little stiff and her voice is a little weak, but she seems fine. I just want to get her home.

I'm sure she'll soon be able to get back on the forum soon. Please thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts.

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With that said, kitties can grieve for quite a while.... When I lost my Gracie , Bugsy, my other kitty had a horrible time. He went through a time of depression, which lasted weeks, then anger settled in. He became aggressive towards the other kitties.
They can't quite understand what happened - they just know that part of them, part of their lives, is missing, and that hits them awfully hard.
All you can do right now, is to offer her lots and lots of love, give her time and space - let her come to you at her own pace..... And try to take some of her stress away.... Feliway and Rescue Remedy will come handy.
Make sure she eats and drinks - they might get so depressed that they don't want to eat - she must eat.
Talk softly to her.....
One thing I had to do with Bugsy and the others when Gracie passed, was an exchange of scent - of MY scent. I was told this by a very experienced person, who is well versed in grieving.... She told me to break a sweat - either running, going for a walk, something - but get a shirt all sweaty, or sleep with the same pajamas for several days.
Then rub that shirt all over the kitty - give it a good rub - everywhere - from top to bottom.... Including cheeks, middle of the face, etc.
You are spreading your scent on the kitty
After you are done, fold the shirt, and place under the food plate. Do this as often as you can do......

Turtle LOVED playing fetch! Playing was one tool Cheryl used to approach her in the beginning.

I hope you enjoy your little baby - you have a special on on your hands - I bet she will have you all wrapped up on her little paws in no time at all.
Welcome to TCS

Oh I'm so very sorry about Cheryl.  I didn't know her as well as some of you, but I was so touched by her story that I had contacted her and we had several beautiful PM messages.  She sent a gift in memory of my mother and in memory of my first cat Boots. I had told her a story about how Boots comforted me when my mother passed away.   Anyway, Cheryl was so sweet and thoughtful and we did exchange some touching PM messages.

Please take care of Turtlle and she'll come around soon.  Cats don't adjust to changes that well.   And I'm sure Cheryl and Bella are looking down and watching all of us.  And she's so happy to be reunited with her "soulmate".

I'm new and never had the honor of meeting Cheryl. Reading through this thread has left me in tears! She obviously had a warm and caring heart. Turtle is very lucky to have a new guardian who cares enough to come to this site for help. God Bless you for taking her in.

Oh boy.  That is the news I didnt want to hear.  I've been wondering about Cheryl off and on.  But it makes me so happy to hear her Turtle is being loved on so much!  I hope Laurie's threads will help you.  But don't hesitate to post any questions too!  If you need any help with the site feel free to send me a message directly (just click on my username).  And from the bottom of my heart; thank you for taking Turtle and coming here to see if we can help.  I know that is exactly what I would want if I were to leave my kitties behind.

Oh, no, I was afraid of that when she stopped posting after being so ill. RIP, Cheryl.
Thank you for opening your heart and home to Turtle.

I don't know if I should respond here or in another category, but I want to thank everyone for their condolences. It sounds like Cheryl opened up to most of you. LDG those threads brought her back to me for a minute. Thank You. She had a secret way with kitties that none of her friends could understand. I witnessed it!

She could walk up to a stray cat on the street and it would roll over on it's back waiting for a belly rub! I don't know that much about cats,but I think thats unusual.

I will have many questions about Turtle. I'm so glad I came here. It sounds like you know about her more than I do!!

Oh my gosh. I just....can't believe it. The world has lost a beautiful gentle soul. Now she is reunited not only with her beloved Bella, but the other kitties whose lives she tried to save.

But...how wonderful that you have taken Turtle in. In time she will warm to you, and the two of you will bond. Poor Turtle has been through so so much. Just, be with her as much as you can. Talk to her, spend time with her. Make little routines with her. Meal times can be great bonding times. Get down on the floor at her level and invite play games with string on a stick toys (or whatever toys Turtle likes)

Thank you so much for joining here and telling us about Cheryl, and for adopting Turtle. If you have never lived with a cat before, you are in for a real treat. It just will take her time, that's all.

Gosh, my heart aches over this.

Thank you so much Otto. Every time I look at Turtle I see Cheryl. I took Turtle in because I knew how much Cheryl loved her and I feel like I have a part of Cheryl with me. And now I know you guys knew about Bella too?  I never saw two creatures more entwined than Cheryl and Bella. That was a match made in heaven.

Yes indeed we did know about Bella and how deeply she and Cheryl were bonded. Laurie has started a thread here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/244970/bellandme-cheryl-is-with-our-bridge-kitties#post_3211107

where you can read about how much Cheryl was loved and respected here.

I did not know Cheryl, but I am sorry for your loss, everyone who did.  And I hope that sweet Turtle Dove is able to work her special feline magic and bond with yuu, TurtlesNewMommy, because she needs very much to be loved, and to love.  There is no greater love on this earth than the love and unconditional loyalty of a cat.  When a cat loves you, it is because (s)he has decided you earn it, not because it's instinctual to come back to the person who feeds, or whatever, like some other species.  Cats are extremely smart and intuitive, and very, very sensitive.  All of the stereotypical old-wives'-tales are pretty much proven to be misinformation from the ignorant, so I hope you won't take those to heart (such as "cats are aloof" or "cats aren't social", for instance.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  Each cat, like each person, is a complex individual, with all the emotions and feelings that go with that.)

Wishing you well in your journey of discovery and your life with a very special little girl! and hoping that any and all information you need can be given by the wonderful folks here at TCS.

TurtlesNewMommy said:

Thank you so much Otto. Every time I look at Turtle I see Cheryl. I took Turtle in because I knew how much Cheryl loved her and I feel like I have a part of Cheryl with me. And now I know you guys knew about Bella too?  I never saw two creatures more entwined than Cheryl and Bella. That was a match made in heaven.

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:heart3: :heart3: :heart3: Aw, that's so sweet. I know it makes Cheryl happy. :heart2:

Oh my goodness, l'm lost for words right now.

Thank you so much for taking Turtle into your home. Cheryl can rest peacefully knowing her baby girl is safe.

Whatever questions you need answered regarding Turtle,  TCS will be here for you both

I am so sad to hear of Cheryl's passing. But how wonderful of you to take Turtle Dove in.

You've come to the perfect place for encouragement and ideas in the care of the beautiful Turtle.

All I can say is, with patience and love, Turtle and you will get through this transition. And thank you so much for caring. :heart3: