Muffin is coming around

Winchester

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For a long time after Muffin came here, she would not get up on the furniture. She wouldn't get up on me if I was lying on the couch. My mom used to tell me that her caregivers would spray Muffin with water if she tried to get on the furniture.....I never understood why. To me, that's just plain stupid. But Mom didn't want her on the furniture and there was always a spray bottle nearby. And god help her, if she tried to get on the kitchen table. Big no-no.

Well, today, while Rick was at church, I was lying on the couch with my Nook and Muffin mewed. She was sitting on the floor next to couch, looking up at me. I put the book down, scooped her up and lay back on the couch again with Muffin on top of me. She immediately started purring and she eventually fell fast asleep. She stretched up, tucked one paw under her and the other paw up under my neck. And she stayed there for a good hour. She slept and I lay there watching her sleep. I love to watch sleeping cats.

Tonight, Rick and I were watching the Weather channel and I was lying on the couch with my feet in Rick's lap. Muffin walked over and mewed. I picked her up and we started in again. She purred and the paws started kneading and we stayed like that until the dryer buzzed and I had to get up.

While she won't jump up on the furniture yet (except for the kitchen table and the kitchen sink....she lives there, I think), she finally realizes that we are more than willing to cuddle with her on the couch.

Muffin won't even get in the bed on her own (although I think a lot of that is Mollipop; those two are still not doing well), but if I put her on my pillow, she'll pretty much spend the night there with me. Now if we could just convince her that lying on the sofa is a good thing. She's been on the kitty couch and she will get on the cat tree and into the bay window. But as for the couch or chairs, nope, she won't do it.

I consider today a good day.....she knows that she can flop down on us now.
 

mani

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AAaaww.. How lovely is that.

She's been so 'trained' it may take some time, but with your perserverence and love she'll get there.  Isn't it cute the way she 'asks' first.
 

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It's so good to hear she is settling into her new home. :)
 

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It's great that she's making herself at home. Not getting up on the sofa or chairs might also be personal preference. Jamie has always been allowed up on the furniture, and will sometimes get up on one of the sofas if there's a soft blanket folded there or he wants to lie on top of one of us, but he usually prefers his window perches and tree (though he can't really climb up the latter anymore).
 

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How wonderful! I love how she talks to you, asking your permission and help.

When Jennie first came here after I rescued her from living (and raising a family on her own) outside, she wouldn't get up on anything for months. And when she finally did start testing the furniture, if she saw me looking at her she would flinch and jump down and hide under something. Oh it hurt so much to see that fearfulness.

I do suspect she was abused, because she would also flinch if I reached for her.

In time though, she started to flinch and run away less and less and now she is Top Cat (after
Tolly :angel: left us for the Bridge) and goes anywhere she pleases. :lol3:

I was especially interested to read how Muffin stretches a paw up under your chin. Jennie does that too. I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude when she does it, even after almost 6 years of her being here.

I know you were reluctant to take Muffin since your household was already full. But I'm glad you did, what a wonderful life she is having with you. That is how it should be, for all cats.
 
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feralvr

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Happy update on dear Muffin! :rub: :clap::clap: She certainly IS finding her place slowly but surely. Don't worry about Mollipop and Muffin. It took Perla almost EIGHTEEN MONTHS before she stopped getting upset towards Wendall if he came within three feet of her. I am tellin' ya, these cats know how to "take things slowly in their world when it comes to making friends. The newbies have to earn their place in the eyes of some of the residents. I ALSO love to watch my cats sleep. Makes me sleepy too. :sleep: Glad to hear about Muffin, Pam. :D :clap:
 
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Winchester

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That girl is truly a sweetie. And it breaks my heart that she feels she cannot get on the furniture, especially since she's so willing to be on the kitchen table and nap in our kitchen sink. Maybe it is just her little quirk.

Otto, Molli does the paw thing, too. She sleeps nestled in my left arm in bed and right before she falls asleep, her left paw will stretch up and tuck itself under my chin. Banshee always did that, too. I don't know why. But I always feel honored when they do that.

Yes, we were worried about bringing Muffin into the house and, even now, she and Molli do not get along. They stalk each other, they hiss and spit, one must always be where the other is.....just to keep an eye on the other. It makes me crazy. And it's Molli more so than Muffin....I think Muffin would just live and let live, if Molli would just leave her alone. But I also think they are two alpha cats; after all Mollipop rules the roost here and Muffin used to be the Queen of her house. Somebody is going to have to give in and I really don't know who that is going to be.

When I brought Tabby into the house, WW III erupted and Rick put his food down. No more. And he was serious. But when Muffin needed a home, he never flinched. And when I did manage to find her a new home a couple months ago, he said, "Absolutely not. She is here now and we don't rehome cats." And that was that.

I love that Muffin will lay on top of me now!
 

kookycats

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So glad Muffin is blending in so well. Tippy does the same thing with her paw --- she gently rests it on my face and I can just see the love in her little face. She's such a sweetheart and I know it's her way of saying "I love you - and thank you for my home".

You and Rick have done wonders with your kitty family - and he's a special man for being so generous with his home and his love. I know it's hard, but they are certainly worth it. Muffin is a beautiful little girl and she is lucky to have you, as you are lucky to have her.

Oh - is she now another God-kitty of ours???
 

feralvr

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When I brought Tabby into the house, WW III erupted and Rick put his food down. No more. And he was serious. But when Muffin needed a home, he never flinched. And when I did manage to find her a new home a couple months ago, he said, "Absolutely not. She is here now and we don't rehome cats." And that was that.
NO wonder you want to make your man breakfast in bed. What a great guy, Pam. :hugs:

I do hope that someday Muffin or Molli will give in and it is possible that could very well happen. Perla is so independent and a loner. Wendall seems to enjoy taunting and teasing her. I am glad that she doesn't reciprocate though. She just wants to be left alone. Since our move, Wendall has stopped the teasings until just a few days ago. He started in on her once again. I was very sad about that because I thought he had left that attitude behind in the "old" house. No such luck. I think we just have to be the "mediators" :D and try to keep the peace. Plus, I have Pipsqueak. OH BOY, when Perla hisses he comes a runnin' like a bat out of hell or the tazmanian devil as Larry calls him. Pip :soldier: is certainly a huge help in keeping the boys in line if they pick on the :princess:

Big happy face :D :happy3: that Muffin is your lap kitty. :clap:
 
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Winchester

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So glad Muffin is blending in so well. Tippy does the same thing with her paw --- she gently rests it on my face and I can just see the love in her little face. She's such a sweetheart and I know it's her way of saying "I love you - and thank you for my home".

You and Rick have done wonders with your kitty family - and he's a special man for being so generous with his home and his love. I know it's hard, but they are certainly worth it. Muffin is a beautiful little girl and she is lucky to have you, as you are lucky to have her.

Oh - is she now another God-kitty of ours???
Yepper! Muffin is another God-kitty! 
 She's here to stay. How does it feel to have eight God-kitties, all from the same house?? 
Hope Muffin is doing ok today.



dejolane
She's doing just fine! She's really quite the character and is very laid-back with us.
NO wonder you want to make your man breakfast in bed. What a great guy, Pam.


I do hope that someday Muffin or Molli will give in and it is possible that could very well happen. Perla is so independent and a loner. Wendall seems to enjoy taunting and teasing her. I am glad that she doesn't reciprocate though. She just wants to be left alone. Since our move, Wendall has stopped the teasings until just a few days ago. He started in on her once again. I was very sad about that because I thought he had left that attitude behind in the "old" house. No such luck. I think we just have to be the "mediators"
and try to keep the peace. Plus, I have Pipsqueak. OH BOY, when Perla hisses he comes a runnin' like a bat out of hell or the tazmanian devil as Larry calls him. Pip
is certainly a huge help in keeping the boys in line if they pick on the


Big happy face
that Muffin is your lap kitty.
I really hope that those two come around and it really bothers me that Mollipop acts the way she does. There's no need to be jealous. She's the alpha-cat in the house, she is my love, she is not-quite-a-Queen-but-very-close. She knows it, but she has to be in Muffin's face all the time. And it's frustrating. If it weren't for Molli acting this way, Muffin would be fine. 

This morning? I gave BooBoo a bit of Sip. Well, Muffin decided she wanted some, so she went right in to Boo's saucer and Boo shared his Sip with Muffin. They were both lapping from the same saucer. That did my heart good. Molli would have thrown a large hissy-fit. Muffin is like Perla in that....really.....she just wants Molli to stop it. She's willing to go her merry way in the house; it's Molli who won't have it. What Muffin needs to do is get in Molli's face once and for all and get the upper hand. Period. I think once she does that, it will all stop. But Muffin is so laid-back, she won't do it. Molli knows that and takes advantage. 

Yesterday, Muffin was in the upper level of the cat tree, sleeping away. Muffin came out to the living room and she couldn't find Muffin anywhere. So she STARTED TO SNIFF HER OUT! I swear! She followed the scent to the cat tree, looked up, and as soon as she saw Muffin, Molli's eyes got huge. She jumped from the floor to the chair seat. Then she went from the chair seat to the arm of the chair. She was making her move to jump to the cat tree when I said, "Molli! No!" And she left. Muffin opened one eye, sighed, and went back to sleep.

As soon as I hear the hissing and keening, I just yell "Molli!" and she runs the other way. And everything stops. It's Molli acting up. Not Muffin. The little brat.
 

feralvr

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This morning? I gave BooBoo a bit of Sip. Well, Muffin decided she wanted some, so she went right in to Boo's saucer and Boo shared his Sip with Muffin. They were both lapping from the same saucer. That did my heart good. Molli would have thrown a large hissy-fit. Muffin is like Perla in that....really.....she just wants Molli to stop it. She's willing to go her merry way in the house; it's Molli who won't have it. What Muffin needs to do is get in Molli's face once and for all and get the upper hand. Period. I think once she does that, it will all stop. But Muffin is so laid-back, she won't do it. Molli knows that and takes advantage. 

Yesterday, Muffin was in the upper level of the cat tree, sleeping away. Muffin came out to the living room and she couldn't find Muffin anywhere. So she STARTED TO SNIFF HER OUT! I swear! She followed the scent to the cat tree, looked up, and as soon as she saw Muffin, Molli's eyes got huge. She jumped from the floor to the chair seat. Then she went from the chair seat to the arm of the chair. She was making her move to jump to the cat tree when I said, "Molli! No!" And she left. Muffin opened one eye, sighed, and went back to sleep.

As soon as I hear the hissing and keening, I just yell "Molli!" and she runs the other way. And everything stops. It's Molli acting up. Not Muffin. The little brat.
That last paragraph gave me the giggles big time. :lol2: Wendall will "sniff" out Perla too. But, I will tell you the good news and hopefully you will have this to look forward to and remember this took about 18 months time: Perla and Wendall do walk past each other now without a bother, no hissing and no chasing on Wendall's part. They can even eat together on practically the same mat. AND, just the other day, during our evening play session, Perla swiped out at Wendall :thud: :shocker: as if to tell him to back off, MY TOY!!! I was SO proud of my :princess: Finally, Perla is realizing that deep down Wendall is a big wuss. I have noticed that Perla is tolerating him more lately and Wendall seems to be backing off on the teasing. I think once the "game" is no longer working for the tormentor, then it is just no fun anymore. I hope that it won't take 18 months for Molli and Muffin. :bigwink:

p.s. Cute on the BooBoo and Muffin story.
 
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Winchester

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That last paragraph gave me the giggles big time.
Wendall will "sniff" out Perla too. But, I will tell you the good news and hopefully you will have this to look forward to and remember this took about 18 months time: Perla and Wendall do walk past each other now without a bother, no hissing and no chasing on Wendall's part. They can even eat together on practically the same mat. AND, just the other day, during our evening play session, Perla swiped out at Wendall
as if to tell him to back off, MY TOY!!! I was SO proud of my
Finally, Perla is realizing that deep down Wendall is a big wuss. I have noticed that Perla is tolerating him more lately and Wendall seems to be backing off on the teasing. I think once the "game" is no longer working for the tormentor, then it is just no fun anymore. I hope that it won't take 18 months for Molli and Muffin.


p.s. Cute on the BooBoo and Muffin story.
18 months. Oh dear lord......
 We have such a long way to go.

Way to go, Perla! 
 
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