- Joined
- Feb 20, 2021
- Messages
- 6
- Purraise
- 5
Last yearI lost two kitties to kidney disease, both around 12 years old. They only just tolerated each other even with clicker training. So I knew I wanted a bonded pair this time. I thought I was going to get cats between one and three years old. Then I saw Leia and Luca on the Maine Coon Adoptions website. They were being presented as backyard or barn cats although they were not really feral. Since I already had a large "catio" with a cat door off of a small craft room that would provide a safe cat space I thought I would find out about them. They had been adopted 3 and a half years previously by a family with small children. Then the family returned them when they were almost 4 years old with very little explanation. They said they basically hid under the bed during the day and only came out at night. Luca had been peeing on the father's things so there must have been male territorial issues. In any case they were fostered for four months in a large dog kennel in a bathroom. They were still very small physically and only slightly approachable. Leia would tolerate patting if you gave her treats and you could scratch Lucas's head with a broken feather on a stick but no hands. I will not go into the process of working with them for the last seven months. They reached their full growth amazingly fast and are both running around our 2000sq ft. house upstairs and down. Leia has learned how to meow for treats and purr. Luca will sit within a few feet of us but still resists any approach of a hand. I think he was probably hit or swatted at by the former owner. He shows all the cat signs of affection like slow blinks but no vocalizations. He does chirp at Leia.
Both cats were taken to the vet by the MC people in July. They had to be sedated. I have until next July to figure out their next visit. I know I could get Leia into her carrier with treats but not Luca. I would love to not have to sedate them. Does anyone have some ideas for how to prepare? What about vets who make house calls? Is it worth the extra expense? There would still be issues with a stranger in the house but at least they would have less trauma.
I am new so appreciate your experience.
Vicki Parrish
C
Both cats were taken to the vet by the MC people in July. They had to be sedated. I have until next July to figure out their next visit. I know I could get Leia into her carrier with treats but not Luca. I would love to not have to sedate them. Does anyone have some ideas for how to prepare? What about vets who make house calls? Is it worth the extra expense? There would still be issues with a stranger in the house but at least they would have less trauma.
I am new so appreciate your experience.
Vicki Parrish
C