Roxie's Updates

jseltzer

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I got to pet Roxie tonite!!!!!!!! 

She's been with me since September, and I finally got to pet her. She let me know when she'd had enough, but I got a solid couple of minutes with her in my lap, stroking the side of her face, under her chin (the happy spot for sure) and just a little on the top of her head.

She got a little sulky after that, growled at Brutus, then retreated to her chair in the dining room. 

BUT I GOT TO PET HER!!!!!!!!
 
bastfriend

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AWESOME!!!!


In a happy coincidence, I just posted a link to your and Roxie's thread to Gyrene2083 a Marine with a semi-feral kitten, I think he'll be encouraged by your story.
 
shadowsrescue

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What wonderful news.  I am sure she will be back for more when she thinks of how nice it felt.  You may made tremendous progress with Roxie in a relatively short period of time.  She is quite lucky to have found you.
 
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jseltzer

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It's been a while and I've been enjoying the progress but failed to share... there's lots to tell. I have limited opportunities to pet but when she's receptive, she gets into it for a few seconds, then realizes she's getting petted and growls or swipes and then retreats for a day or two. She's continued to rub my legs occasionally.

She and Brutus coexist, but it's off and on. Sometimes I could swear they are playing, and then she'll turn and growl and either hiss and swat or chase him. Sometimes he's chasing her then it turns around. There's always some vocalization, usually Roxie, sometimes she sounds like he's killing her... almost like siblings now that I think of it. 

Brutus is still food agressive but Roxie can be, too. Occasionally she'll run to his usual food spot to get her food. They both follow each other to clean up each other's plates. 

Roxie finally adopted a little furry bed in the living room intended for her. She's never wanted to have anything to do with the bed she came with, what's up with that? I thought that would be comforting, but clearly not.

She's figured out the "food puzzle" I started for Brutus to make him work for his treats. I "hide" treats around the apartment, mostly in the living room but in other places too so they have to look for them, and work to get them.

I was on everyone's favorite chair the other nite and she came up to sit with me... I offered my hand, (she never rubs it) but attempted a pet, she loved it for a minute or so, then instead of growling or swiping, she just turned around. Message received. I think that's huge.
 
shadowsrescue

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jseltzer said:
 
It's been a while and I've been enjoying the progress but failed to share... there's lots to tell. I have limited opportunities to pet but when she's receptive, she gets into it for a few seconds, then realizes she's getting petted and growls or swipes and then retreats for a day or two. She's continued to rub my legs occasionally.

She and Brutus coexist, but it's off and on. Sometimes I could swear they are playing, and then she'll turn and growl and either hiss and swat or chase him. Sometimes he's chasing her then it turns around. There's always some vocalization, usually Roxie, sometimes she sounds like he's killing her... almost like siblings now that I think of it. 

Brutus is still food agressive but Roxie can be, too. Occasionally she'll run to his usual food spot to get her food. They both follow each other to clean up each other's plates. 

Roxie finally adopted a little furry bed in the living room intended for her. She's never wanted to have anything to do with the bed she came with, what's up with that? I thought that would be comforting, but clearly not.

She's figured out the "food puzzle" I started for Brutus to make him work for his treats. I "hide" treats around the apartment, mostly in the living room but in other places too so they have to look for them, and work to get them.

I was on everyone's favorite chair the other nite and she came up to sit with me... I offered my hand, (she never rubs it) but attempted a pet, she loved it for a minute or so, then instead of growling or swiping, she just turned around. Message received. I think that's huge.
Click to expand...
She continues to make progress.  She may never be a pet me all over cat, but she knows she is loved and she seems happy too!  It sounds like she and Brutus are working things out too.  One of my indoor cats, Jake does not like to pet much at all.  You can pet him on his terms, but you had better watch for the warning signs or he will bit or swat you.  It's just the way he is.  He likes to sit next to you, but not on your lap.  He is happy and content.  He is longer haired and a beautiful cat and I love to touch is silky soft fur, but that is not on his agenda.

Keep up the good work!
 
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jseltzer

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I believe that Roxie and Brutus are working on negotiating the hierarchy of the household. I had not before now seen her "mark" areas like Brutus does, with his facial glands... she's just beginning to do that this weekend! She's so funny... I steam mopped my hardwood floors today, and when I was done, she rolled all over between the dining room and living room, on her back, on her sides, back and forth and all around with her face, this is my spot. Now I know she's getting comfortable, because she's claiming territory, I've see her rub up on several things in the last day or so, and I'm encouraged.

We still have our very minor rough spots, like today while I was getting my briefcase ready for work, she didn't like my feet so close, and she swatted me. On the brighter side, I found out she likes Muenster cheese.. that will only be a very special occasional treat. I've had other cats who loved cheese too.

Roxie and Brutus enjoyed a nice sunbath in separate but close sunbeams with Roxie on her back for part of the time!
 
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jseltzer

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Ok, looking for advice, opinions, experience.... the growling "yelling" and chasing/running has escalated as of a few days ago. Roxie is being aggressive toward Brutus, and I've seen that sometimes he instigates. They seem to be more territorial, less tolerant of each other, mostly Roxie. Other than that, nothing has changed, they clean up each other's food dishes, "share" toys, sleep in each others places.

I haven't had to break up a fight it, ends as quick as it happens but it does startle me. I'd love to hear what you who have "been there" can tell me is going on so I understand.

Thanks in advance!
 
shadowsrescue

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jseltzer said:
 
Ok, looking for advice, opinions, experience.... the growling "yelling" and chasing/running has escalated as of a few days ago. Roxie is being aggressive toward Brutus, and I've seen that sometimes he instigates. They seem to be more territorial, less tolerant of each other, mostly Roxie. Other than that, nothing has changed, they clean up each other's food dishes, "share" toys, sleep in each others places.

I haven't had to break up a fight it, ends as quick as it happens but it does startle me. I'd love to hear what you who have "been there" can tell me is going on so I understand.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
I wonder if you will have to do reintroductions.  When I introduced Jake and Marvin all went well for about 2 weeks, then they started with the yowling, growling, hissing for a few days.  It then escalated to chasing and then escalated to full out fur flying fights.  It was all about territory.  I had to completely separate them and do reintroductions all over again.  I bought lots of feliway plug ins.  I had one in each room where the cats might be together as well as using the feliway spray.  I used the Composure liquid Max on both cats at the double dosage rate.  When they were ready for face to face introductions, I used a large dog crate covered on 3 sides with a sheet.  I used lots and lots of plain cooked chicken as this is what they both loved.  I kept an eye on them at all times as I wanted to stop a fight before it happened.  The process worked, but it was hard.  Brutus may have realized that Roxie has encroached on his territory.  It all used to be his and now he has to share it.  I also found that you need to have lots of vertical space.  My resident cat, Jake loves to climb and be up high.  So I have cat trees for him.  Marvin (the stray/feral I brought inside) hates to be up high and never ever jumps.  This works well for them.  Do you have one cat that prefers to be up high?  You can go to Jackson Galaxy's website and check out his article on the "Vertical highway"  He has some awesome ideas on how to get cats up. 

Here is the link to introductions in case you feel you need to go back and redo it  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats
 
ondine

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I noticed that squabbles among our cats really decreased when we got a couple of new trees.  All of ours like a little height and it helps that every tree has a window view.  (the cats have better views than we do!)
 
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jseltzer

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THANK YOU! I do have places "UP" where they can get to windows in every room except the kitchen... I've noticed that Brutus can't walk past Roxie without a growl... he seems to be trying to give her space, he even trilled gently as he passed her on his way to the kitchen this morning, and she greeted him with a growl... I have Feliway diffusers and spray! 

If they could only talk... Roxie rubs on my legs more, but I still can't pet except occasionally. They're both waiting for me in the living room when I come home, and can't wait to see if I've brought anything with me for them. (If I have a grocery bag, they're always certain, and often correct, there's something in there for them) 

Today's been peaceful, Roxie is relaxing in her sunbeam on the dining room floor and Brutus is in the hammock in the office window enjoying his. I will continue to update as they progress, but I'm thinking at this point they may never be friends like I'd originally hoped. 
 
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jseltzer

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Roxie continues to show confidence, sometimes her tail is straight up in the air. Love that. Tonite they're chasing each other, sometimes it's her sometimes it's him doing the chasing. Roxie gets right up under his tail with her nose... what is she doing??? She knows who he is... why ? Sometimes I just don't speak enough cat.
 
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Great to hear your updates! Keep up the good work. 

I don't have much advice to offer on the aggressiveness though. Once I fostered two cats who were supposedly buddies in the home they came from, but started being aggressive to each other when they came to my house. One day they were taken away to be neutered, and when they came back that afternoon, they were super close again! Strange, in retrospect maybe because they suddenly had the same scent? Either way, best of luck to you, Roxie and Brutus! Btw, I love the name Brutus! :)
 
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jseltzer

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Roxie blooms like a small explosion then leads to more questions... Over the last two days, she has repeatedly jumped into my lap and allowed me to pet her head, chin, ears neck... she really gets into it. I couldn't hear it, but today I could feel her purring!!!! However, if I go past her shoulders on her back, she lets me know to stop. Is this a symptom of something I should talk to the vet about? 
 
ondine

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Cats have nerves running down their back that sometimes get overstimulated.  Their muscle actually tremble if petted and it can be really painful for some.  For a lot of other reasons, some cats simply don't like being petted on the rumps or backs.  It probably isn't anything serious.

We have one cat who wants to be scratched hard at the base of her tail.  Another would scratch your eyes out if you dared touch anywhere near his tail.  We quickly learned not to do that!
 
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shadowsrescue

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My indoor guy only lets us pet him on top of his head and it's then only for a very short time.  I read somewhere that the electrical charge in some cats is very high.  Almost like constant static electricity coursing through their body.  When you pet them it sets off the static and can be uncomfortable for them.  I just watch where and for how long I can pet him.  I also watch for signals that he has had enough or he will try to scratch or bite me. 

How great she is jumping on your lap!!  I bet you are thrilled. 
 
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jseltzer

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I've been able to pet Roxie several times a day now, for short periods! I try to anticipate her cut off point, sometimes I get it, sometimes not, but she lets me come back for more. My daughter stopped by with a friend, and of course Roxie vanished into my closet in the bedroom, it's her 'go to" place now. Let me pet her in there, while she was hiding, and came right out as I predicted as soon as they were gone. 

I have been letting them play in a box from a pair of boots I got, it was their "catnip box".... this morning, I saw someone had peed in it!!! I have two cats, and three litter boxes that get scooped daily... what the what is going on?
 
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