Plagued By Failures

jessesmom

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You have been so helpful to me in the past, and now I'm so happy I have the opportunity to congratulate you on a job well done! You've earned the title of Sir Trapper Charles in my book. Well anyway, best of luck to you with your pregnant cat as well as Sampson. Just don't call the female Deliah, because we know how that story ends.

Susan aka Jesse's Mom
 
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trapper charles

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Originally Posted by valanhb

Are there any manx boys in the colony? That's where the problems can occur with breeding manx's. Breeders don't breed two tail-less cats together because of the increased risks of spinal birth defects. If she was bred with a full tailed cat, more than likely those particular birth defects won't be an issue.
Manx is the only manx in the colony. I may know who the daddy is. One that looks a lot like Bosco, but walks about the colony friendly wise.

I apologize for no pictures yet. I dropped off some film and neeed to scan. My digital camera is a cheap toy with no flash. ;(

And I appreciate the welcomes.


Now... On to how the kitties are today.

Manx is reallyed and laid back. Tried moving her into the bedroom with me since her check up, a bigger room. She paniced and went under bed. Should have wrapped her a bit in a towel like a baby and petted her ont he bed for a while.

Went out for about twenty minutrs to let her relax and returned to a large urine spot on bed. Poor Manxy.

She was put back into the restroom, but when picking her up her back legs scratched me semi bad. Rubbing alcohol and peroxide went right on with a bandaid. Up till now with experience from my three pretties last winter I have been more careful with my kitties. They hiss and growel, use a glove or a towel If you pick them up, use a towel so the kitty won't accidently hurt you trying to escape.

Manx cries when I come in and bathe, use the restroom, and visit her. When I stroke her or comb her (and combing is the best way to start domestication I have found) and she'll purr, roll and expose her pretty belly. Ferals all have the same smell, so I opened the window but was sure to put a grill in front of it. Even though I am three floors up, I know a desperate kitty with claws would hack a screen and escape.

Bosco is another story. Him and Manx spent some time together today. He cuddled with her a bit, sat with her, and growled as I petted her sitting beside the both. She loved it and purred.

Odd relationship. The same age, but I doubt siblings. But why so close?

Bosco when cornered will claw and hiss. I pick him up with a towel and let his pretty orange head stick out which I stroke and speak softly. I don't keep eye contact, that is threatening to him. I do look at him, back and forth once and a while. I stroke, than pull towel open. He is a good boy, won't run from you when given the oppertunity(sp?) to hop off you lap and run. He'll accept pets and combing. He'll look up, than look down. Out and close his eyes. Than up at me.

I move slow, and try to give him the pleasure of being touched.

Although he has taken some bats at me when cornered, he has not got me, and has been a good boy when calmed down.

When I got him in a towel today he urinated in fear. This used to happen with the old ferals. Poor thing was that scared. Mind you they won't stop spraying, weither on floor or you! Even themselves.

Going to bathe them tommarrow, or talk my wife into it who bathed the last ones, even the ferocious tabby we had than who I feared. ;(
 
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trapper charles

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It was a bad mornign with bad news.

I got up this morning to use the restroom and entered the bathroom. Besides the litter box being used which made me happy, I didn't see Manx or Bosco. As I peered into the tub I witnessed a horror...

The grill I put over the window was laying there in the tub.

I opened the window the full way and there was a hole in my screen. My ferals took a dive from 3 stories down to the grass. I hope they are alright...

I cried a bit this morning and got a lot of cuddles from my wife and kitties. My babies ran away... It hurts a lot.

I doubt Manx will be trusty enough to come to me if I spot her tonight, even though she became cuddley.

I don't think Bosco will trust me ever again.

I'll try trapping again tomarrow this evening. I can't help to cry a bit writting this.
 

tnr1

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OMG..I am soooo sorry for you Charles!! I do hope you can trap them again....sending "come back Boscoe and Manx" vibes.

Katie
 

ldg

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OMG! You poor thing! I feel so awful for you and your wife, all you've put into these creatures. And those poor, poor kitties! They should be OK, but that's a long way down. Of course you can't help but cry - it's devastating. They're smart and wiley creatures, and when a feral wants out, it's amazing what they can do to get out. Many screen types are not strong enough to resist a feral, though how they got that grate down....

My deepest sympathies, and of course I'll include Bosco and Manx in my prayers. And I'm sending out HUGE "Come Back to Charles - You Need Him Whether You Know It or Not!" vibes!!!!!

Perhaps put out food for a few days without a trap? Other than be completely beside myself, I'm not sure what I'd do.
 

purrfectcatlove

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Ohhhh noooooo , I am so sorry to read this . I had a cat befor escape like that , so I don't let any windows open any more . But I only have a one floor house . Oh gosh I hope they are both ok and my heart is going out to you
to you and your wife .

I will also say a prayer for both cats
 
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trapper charles

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Tonight I will try to strap Manx again. She appears at 7:30pm sharp for her and Bosco's feeding.

Thought a lot today, and I need to help them. It is a set back, a large one, but I adore them both.

The lastnight before I went to bed I stroked them, stroked Bosco... And for the first time he purred.

That hurts the most.
 

kumbulu

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Charles, I am so sorry to hear the news. Hopefully, you will be able to trap Manx and Bosco again. If you're really lucky, she may come up to you for a pat and you can quickly scoop her up and put her in a carrier.

If you trap Manx, you'll need to take her to a vet, even if she doesn't seem injured herself. The three story jump may mean that one or more of her kittens may have been injured or died. You'll need to watch her closely for any brewing infection in her uterus. Good luck with the trapping.
 

hissy

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Trapper Charles-

One of the reasons they may have taken off is because you pushed contact right away. If they were true ferals you would have been bitten, scratched and clawed in the process, towel or not. Chances are they are strays who have reverted to their wild ways in order to survive.

Here is an article I wrote- it is a process I developed over time when working with these noble cats. I hope it helps you now to find your way

http://www.thecatsite.com/cat_care/care.php?a=ferals
 
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trapper charles

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The last kitties I delt with were big adults. I still am terrified of one of them, a big female tabby named San we had. She torn through a towel once.

My methods were pressing. With Bosco more so than Manx.

I have good news to.
I went outside at feeding time and there was Bosco and Manx laying on the hot parking lot soaking up the last sun before dusk! I let out my mew I make to call them to come eat the food I leave and she war charged for me, sitting right on my feet as I stood. She ducked as I tried to touch her, but she confidently purred. I slid off my shirt, my dress shirt I use for work and picked her up. She kicked a bit but did not hiss, and I wrapped her like a baby and brought her back to her room. I gave her some toys from my other kitties I washed in the washer today for germs.

On inspection she looks fine, but the Vet will have to see her.

Bosco kept his usual distance and mewed back like he does.

Left trap out again.
 

tnr1

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Charles..so glad you caught Manx....I am hopeful that Boscoe will find his way into the trap. It is wonderful that you care so much for these cats. Let us know how the vet visit goes with Manx.

Katie
 

luvmycats

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Wow I just read this thread for the first time. Charles you have done quite a job with these cats!! I am really glad that you have Manx back, and I hope Bosco comes home soon too
 
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