Adventures in moving

Hoping that your furniture is now in place, and that you are able to let each of the groups out to explore.

If they do stay out longer, in other parts of the house, I would set up multiple litter boxes all over the home, just in case one of the cats does not want to venture back into their sun porch room.

I hope they are all becoming more curious, and behaving.

Chester and Teresa might feel better if you bring their carriers out to where ever you are sitting, in the house, but that would be if you think they need a 'safe place' to retreat to, while exploring.

I hope they venture out, and are not too afraid.

Looking forward to updates on how each group does in the rest of the house.

And that they all use their litter boxes, well,...especially the outdoor guys.

They are all using their litter boxes - I have a small one in each crate.  I used the Sterlite totes back in Jersey and will be setting them up here as well.  I am thinking I will probably have at least five (they are equivalent to two regular litter boxes) scattered throughout the house.  I already have one in the sun room and Halsey, Alfred and Schofield have each "christened" it.

The furniture is all in the rooms where it (they) belong.  My husband's "Man Cave" is also full of totes and boxes of books.  He likes to arrange his books in a certain order, so he'll be busy for a few weeks, once he gets here.

My room, where the computer is, is also where I am storing my sewing supplies.  The actual sewing is going to go on in the sun room - the cats will just have to share, once we get things settled.  I make pillowcases for kids in the hospital (through Ryan's Case for Smiles).  I can't wait to start sewing again.

Found a local rescue, Sparkles Cat Rescue, and gave them my traps and one crate.  They will get the others once the cats have full roam of the house.  I may foster for them, or at least help with events.  We'll see.

Hung my bird feeder today and so far have Carolina Wrens, House Finches, House Sparrows and Titmice.  A cardinal pair has a nest in one of the trees as well.

Life is good!

Any new updates on the shy cats?

They each ventured out yesterday and the day before but all three stayed low to the ground.  We're here for at least several years, so I am going to let them take their time.  Honestly, if they only live in the sun room, they'll have a good life.

I have several containers of litter stacked to block an open area under the stairs.  There is a cold air return there and we can't block it completely.  Sunday, Schofield knocked one of the containers down and got under the stairs.  I thought, oh boy - how am I ever going to get him out?  But food is a great motivator - he flew out of there the instant he heard dry food hitting his bowl.  I was able to secure the container, although the first thing he does now is go over and try to figure out how to get under there again.

I find it very interesting that he's letting me pet him again.  He wanted pets when we first got him into the enclosure but after a year or so, he would swat at me.  I think being outside really upset him.  He's his old, bold cuddly self again.  So glad I was able to bring him and Alfred in.

Glad to hear things are moving along nicely.

I agree, that sun room is amazing. Very spacious. So if the cats do decide to hang out in the 'sun room-cat room-sewing room'...then they'd have plenty to see.

Perhaps they stayed low to the ground, because it's just instinct, until they feel more comfortable.

You did mention sewing pillowcases for kids in hospitals, so I figure that your cats are not afraid of the sound of the sewing machine.

I guess some cats, have no reactions to machinery sounds, while others run and hide. (can-openers seem to be the exception.)

Hoping your fur crew will happily share their sun room, with you.

As for your husband's "man cave", thinking that a few of the more adventurous cats will claim that 'man cave' as their own, too.

Your hubby might have to make sure that his books are well protected from cat's claws and teeth, if any of your cats are paper shredders.

Schofield sounds like quite a character. He finds a hiding spot he likes, but naturally cannot miss any food, so out he comes. He sounds smart, too, so will probably spend a lot of time, trying to figure out how to knock some more containers down.

(ps...had to look up what 'titmice' were. thankfully they are just beautiful grey birds, with a strange name. (nothing to do with a rodent family.)

Glad that the shy cats are venturing out, and the outdoor guys are doing well adjusting.  

I know - the name is strange.  But they are beautiful little birds.  I also saw goldfinches!  I used to have up to a dozen on my feeders in Jersey and was thinking there were none here.  That was one thing, that and lilacs, that I knew I was going to miss.  So my heart soared when Mr. Goldfinch and his mate showed up yesterday morning!

Poor Chester had a rough day today.  I got new litter boxes (I am currently using those disposable ones, so each cat has his/her own box).  The others have been used for two weeks, so they are starting to smell a bit.

Anyway, I changed out everyone's box and put in fresh new litter.  Chester was not happy.  He actually started crying, then howling.  He was that upset.  I finally got his old box and put some old litter in the new one.  He wasn't happy but a least he stopped crying.  He's been sitting in the new box all afternoon, glaring at me.  My in-laws came to visit and he glared at them too.

Poor guy - there are just too many changes for him!

I hope Chester gets to feeling better.

Does Chester also get very upset when you have to wash his bedding, blankets, or cat bed?

Perhaps having his scent around is just very comforting to him.

I always get nervous if a cat cries out, near or in a litter box, automatically thinking about Health, and not really the Stress of being in a new place...that has to be tough for an older or sensitive cat.

Too bad you can't entice him with food, like you can with Schofield, and get food to be the 'comfort food'.

Or create his space similar to how it was in the old place, so he might feel more relaxed.

Vibes that his days get better.  

Awww, poor Chester. So mich change going on. [emoji]128542[/emoji].
I couldn't help but to laugh though, picturimg him sitting there IN a litter box, glaring at everyone, as if he were grumbling & mumbling under his breath. [emoji]128574[/emoji]
I hope he starts feeling better about it all, soon. [emoji]9786[/emoji]

Sometimes I do wish our cats could verbally 'talk' and 'let all their frustrations' out clearly, so that we'd know what was bothering them.

You'd kind of do anything for them, if you knew what that 'something' was. I think with the cats that are more shy, or quiet, it's more difficult for them to adjust.

I always think of them as being more sensitive and noticing things more.

It's good that you just let them go at their own pace, and like you said before, you let them take their time.

(I also find it interesting that we humans also like to see familiar things when we are in new places...like those goldfinches you saw.

When I'm someplace new, wherever, just seeing something familiar, or hearing something, puts me at greater ease. So I guess that our cats must be a little like this, too.)

Well, I guess with us humans, distraction works, too.       

Cat Nap - I'm not sure I'd like to hear what my cats are thinking sometimes.  I'd get cussed out for sure!  

But you're right.  My husband came down for the weekend and brought some of the cats toys and beds.  I put one of the beds inside Chester's crate and he jumped right in it.  Even though all the cats used it at the old house, it must have had the familiar smell.

I have moved Josie and Gracie into the bedroom.  They each came out from under the bed last night and slept with us, so I've decided to let them stay.  I can acclimate them to the rest of the house slowly from there.

Halsey, Schofield and Alfred are pretty good with one another now, so I am going to let them into the house tomorrow.  They will have access to the living room, dining area and kitchen.  I will open Teresa's and Chester's crates and see if they come out when it is only the two of them.  Eventually, my hope is that they all share the entire house but that's a long way off.

Slow steps, slow steps...

I must say I'm enjoying this thread immensely. I can't wait to hear more.

Oh, gosh, I don't think I thought about that 'cat talking' idea part, well enough.     I don't think I could take too much cussing, either.    

You're right, there might be a lot of 'cussing' and 'complaining' and what 'Angels mommy' had said about the grumbling and mumbling, might happen, too.

Probably best that our cats just meow.

Hey, Ondine, sounds good that Chester jumped right into his bed. Now I'm wondering if it was because he was happy to see your hubby, too.

(I know that my cats all wait until my sister gets home, and greet her at the door, and do the same for me. And not just because of food and treats. Plus they sleep in different rooms, and follow different members of the house around, depending upon what each person is doing at the time.)

Maybe Chester just likes to have the whole family together, or your hubby is his favourite.   (Although, I'd like to think that my own cats don't have favourite humans, they just share everyone, equally. )

Sounds like the slow steps are working well.

But are you sure that Teresa the Diva, will not get Chester to barricade himself under his cat bed, or use the litterbox to barricade the crate door, and keep himself in.

I'm not so sure how Chester feels about the whole 'pushy sister' thing. I guess time will tell.

Hope you all have a relaxing and good weekend.  

I think you are correct about Chester being happy to see my husband.  He actually came out and gave him blinkies while we were scooping this morning.  Hope he doesn't go into a depression when Michael leave tomorrow...

I put a fountain in the bedroom for Josie and Gracie this morning.  Honestly, you'd have thought I'd give them a bag of gold each.  They drank and then sat next to it.  I guess the familiar really does have the ability to make them feel better.

Ondine said:

I think you are correct about Chester being happy to see my husband.  He actually came out and gave him blinkies while we were scooping this morning.  Hope he doesn't go into a depression when Michael leave tomorrow...

I put a fountain in the bedroom for Josie and Gracie this morning.  Honestly, you'd have thought I'd give them a bag of gold each.  They drank and then sat next to it.  I guess the familiar really does have the ability to make them feel better.

Click to expand...

My blighty never blinks at me at all. Whyyyyy? Cry.

Oh, so cool about Josie and Gracie. They also probably just loved sleeping with you guys, and/or just hanging out in the bedroom.  

(Now, you have me thinking what our cats would actually do with a bag of gold. 2 of my four would probably just spend it, boys, and the 3rd boy and girl would invest or save it.)

Maybe, what you can do...before your husband has to go back, is make sure to keep some of his clothes, and not wash them.  

(I know your husband might think..."no way, I like that shirt, pants, I need my clothes"..."there is no way I'm giving my clothes to our cats"....But it would only be temporary, and would only be used if Chester starts to retreat into his crate again, or begins that glaring look. If Chester seems fine, then the clothes can be washed.)  Maybe an old t-shirt would do.

In all honesty, I really don't think our cats have favourites, they just love seeing everyone in their pack/family,   and they change who they spend time with, from day to day, or hour to hour.

I figure they have to make the rounds, as in check on everyone, and all their territory, too. 

The gang of three were allowed into the house today.  Schofield came right in, followed closely by Halsey.  Alfred stayed at the top of the steps and checked it out from there.  Halsey and Schofield toured the areas open to them (the living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway and main bath).  Each used the potty in the bathroom, then came to the sliding glass doors and watched the birds for a bit.

Alfred watched them but did not come out of the sun room, so I was unable to let Teresa and Chester out.  They didn't seem to care, though.  I'll try again in a day or so.

Tonight, when I went to give them the bedtime snack, both Halsey and Schofield bolted to the stairs, although the door was closed.  They are ready, I think.

Josie and Gracie were both on the bed this afternoon at dinner (as opposed to running under it to avoid being taken back to the sun room).  They've learned fast.

Gracie was actually waiting for her dinner, which is a good sign.

That's a great update!  

Stewball said:

My blighty never blinks at me at all. Whyyyyy? Cry.

Click to expand...

Chester seldom blinks at me, either.  He will blink when my husband asks him but soon wanders off.  Probably thinking "What's up with that guy?"