What do you think?

Hi Guys,

Yeah, me again - still shuffling cats around! I need one last little bit of advice....

We adopted Phoebe who's a 1 year old Russian Blue from Sydney just a few days ago (if you haven't seen her photo yet have a look at the Cat Lounge post "Wedding Photo"). Now, the problem is Phoebe had a boyfriend called Ziggy who is a 1 year old black purebred Bombay (cost these people $500!) who also needs to be re-homed.

Now, there's no question about it - we need to have Ziggy with us too for many reasons but mostly because I'm sure Phoebe's missing him already.

What are the best excuses/reasons/arguments call them what you like but I need to convince my husband that Ziggy absolutely has to come live with us! His argument are "costs too much to feed two cats", "have to pay double for cattery at holidaytime", "He'll make Phoebe less affectionate towards us" etc etc.

Please help - I need to rescue Ziggy within a week and a half!

Lisa

Here's Ziggy and Phoebe snuggling up together in their old home:

Gee photos really do say a thousand words don't they! After posting about Ziggy and seeing them snuggled up in the photo perhaps that photo is one of my best weapons! Must duplicate on colour printer and paste all over the home.....

Really keen to hear other suggestions though (you can save the sob story suggestions - that'll be my last resort telling him that we have 42 hours to save his life....)

Lisa

And look very carefully in the background of this photo of Phoebe at about 12 weeks - there's Ziggy playing with her tail as she poses for the camera - how cute....

Lisa I just had to smile reading you posts about the continuing cat saga. And the pitcures are TOOOOO sweet.

Anyway, a couple of suggestions spring to mind:

1. Will Phoebe be on her own all day? That is a good arguement for having 2 cats. She could develop personality problems if she was lonely - never mind trashing your furniture

2. Would hubbs get jealous if he felt Phoebe was being affectionate with you and ignoring him? Wouldn't he like his own cat to cuddle of a cold evening (oops - you don't have them in Aus - do you!!)

3. Money is a difficult one to get around. You forgot vet bills - which can be the real killer - never mind food! If you insure your cats there are a lot of companies who do reductions on more than one cat - that helps a bit. Maybe you ought to broach that one with him before his thinks of it?

4. But I think your trump might be the emotional one. Paint a picture. 'Hon - imagine coming home from work in the evening and having TWO babies greet us. To sit sipping wine and wathcing them frolic in the garden'. You get my drift . . .

Let us all know how it goes - I'm sure we'd all love Phoebe and Ziggy to be reunited once again!

I know that they are purebred, but if hubby starts in on the fact that they might mate and he doesn't want kittens, just tell him you are a responsible pet owner and both cats will be fixed. (If they aren't already)

The two of them should be together. That picture plastered around your place should speak volumes to your hubby. Thank you for caring about the fate of these cats.

Ditto from me too!

You might help convince hubby by pointing out that she'll love you even more if she's happy. If her heart aches because she had to leave her companion behind, how will she ever truly be happy? Play up the emotional aspects of it - she needs her man!

And WOW are they gorgeous! Best of luck - please make sure you let us all know what happens.

Sending hopeful thoughts your way.

Feeding two cats doesnt cost that much compared to 4,6,8 or more cats like some people have. I have 4 cats who have been together from day 1 and none of them are any less affectionate because they have each other. It's nice for a cat to have a partner in crime. Cats do like interacting with people but the relationship they have with their own kind is something special and I think it's important for cats to be housed in pairs. You could always bribe your husband!

Steph

He Agreed!!!!!

I couldn't believe it, it only took me 2 days to get Tom to agree to taking Ziggy! Kept showing him the photos and pointing out that Phoebes little meows and searching the house was a simply a broken hearted cats plea to be reunited with her much loved kitty boyfriend!

Last night I emailed Ziggy's owners and asked for him to be put on a flight out of Sydney as soon as is convenient for them. Hopefully we'll have him by the weekend and the two little lovecats can continue on their lives together. They'll be able to frolick lovingly together in the fresh country air, sit paw in paw on our deck as they admire the sweeping mountain views with the blue southern skies washing over their furry little bodies.... awwh, such a romantic picture isn't it.:tounge2:

Both of them are desexed so there's no chance of hearing the pitter patter of tiny little Russian/Bombay feet around our home!

Can't wait! I'll keep you up to date on the latest developments - hey, this time I might take my camera to the airport to capture Phoebes beau arriving!

Lisa

Lisa

That is wonderful news!

:blubturq:

I am so happy you get both of them!

Tom is a GREAT hubby for agreeing to this! You've got a good one there Lisa!

We want all the details of the kitty reunion too!!!!
meow meow meow meow.........

This is great news! I agree - please keep us posted! YIPEEEE!!!!

Lisa - that's fantastic news! Good luck with your new and extended kitty family.

Hooray for Phoebe and Ziggy! They look so happy in that picture you posted, I'm sure they will be happy to see each other again. How long have they been separated? I'm just wondering if they will immediately recognize each other if they have been apart and they smell different?

I agree with the others here. You definitely have a good hubby, Lisa!

Phoebe and Ziggy have only been separated for just under a week (it will be a week tomorrow). They should fall into each other's arms immediately due to the short separation. Ziggy has been fretting very badly apparently, meowing all over the house and searching everywhere for her.

At this stage I think he'll be arriving today sometime, got my cell phone with me to receive a call as to what time to collect him from the airport. I'll definately report back to give details on the reunion!

Lisa

What's the news???????????

OK, I must be a little emotional today, because this whole thing just brought tears to my eyes. I think you have a wonderful husband & maybe just maybe he tried to think of being with out you & realized how much they must miss each other. (Ok, Have to go now getting even more mushy)

You will need to account for the fact that Ziggy is going to be a bit shell shocked from air travel. I would put Ziggy alone in a room for at least 24 hrs so he can decompress. Leave Phoebe's blanket in the room so Zig can smell her, but let him have at least a day to de-stress. Good luck!

Hi Guys!

Sorry I didn't get to post yesterday I was sooooo busy! Ziggy touched down at the local airport at 10:20am and all went to plan. I ran him home in my lunch break and settled him in before having to return to work.

Phoebe was great, she's such a sweetie. As soon as she realised it was Ziggy in the cat cage she climbed right in there with him and proceeded to lick his forehead, eyes and ears as if trying to revive him. He was still very drowsy from the sedative he was given for the flight. I told Phoebe she was in charge and to show him around while I went back to work. When I came home he was in the loungeroom behind the loungesuite. He ventured out after a few hours and began exploring and inspecting our home. At about 8:30pm he'd given our home the thumbs up and came to me for a pat, his coat is really silky. He meowed most of the night and we all took turns in comforting him, me first then Phoebe and then Tom! He doesn't seem scared, just a little confused and unsettled.

We had to go out for a few hours today, when we came home Ziggy was ready for lots of pats, hugs and scratches - and purring madly! He's been rolling onto his back inviting Tom and I to give him big tummy rubs!

Phoebe's getting a little jealous with all the attention Ziggy's been getting so we're very mindful of the need to distribute the affection equally! We just hope that Ziggy is settled enough now so we can all get a good nights sleep!

Keep you posted!

Lisa

Oh LIsa - that is wonderful news. How about a pic of the newly reunited couple?

Well, we have not slept since my last post (that's 3 nights without sleep!).

Ziggy is yowling all night still and his owners tell me that it's because he wants to go outside. Now, I don't know about the US but here in the area I live it is illegal to let cats outside at night. Aside from the law and the danger to themselves there is also the local wildlife to consider.

We don't know what to do, we try and comfort him but he just won't stop carrying on at night time. He's even ripped up our carpet and scratched at our walls! He goes into the bathroom where his yowls echo so we tried to lock him out of there. You wouldn't believe it, he must stand at the end of the halway and propel his body against the door because the thump/crash noise is pretty scary. Needless to say we were forced to reopen the bathroom door so that he didn't cause himself an injury.

The worse part is that dear Phoebe has become withdrawn and can't stand the sight of him! It was because of their supposed "relationship" that we decided to take Ziggy. Luckily his owners have promised to take him back if he doesn't work out so at least we have options.

Sleepless in Australia
Lisa