Hi, I'm Steph!
In early January I adopted a 2 year old domestic short hair whom I've named Kiernan. She's high spirited and hilarious, and I absolutely adore everything about her. I had a cat when I was a kid, but this is the first time I've been 100% responsible for one. I don't think I will ever completely stop worrying about whether I am making the best choices for her, even if they are approved by her wonderful vet!
She was left behind by her previous family when they moved out of their home. I can't imagine how terrified she must have been when this happened. At the shelter, she was labeled as fractious, but the staff said that they thought she was a great cat, just under a lot of stress. They were absolutely right! Her first five days home with me she barely ate. She was given a single dose of appetite stimulant and that solved the problem immediately.
She and I have been getting to know each other, and it's been a lot of fun. She's certainly not a shy cat! When she's awake, she follows me around and is constantly curious about what I am doing. She loves being pet anywhere above her collar, and she absolutely loves her cat wands. I think her previous family used their hands as toys so I am working hard to stop that behavior.
I have an adorable and precious hamster named Joe, and she LOVES to watch him. Joe is in a 35 gallon bin with a heavy duty cookie cooling rack attached to the lid, and a coconut fiber boot scraping mat also sits on top of the lid to provide an extra inch between her and the rack. (Don't worry, the mat has a herringbone pattern that lets in plenty of air.) All this is further held shut by professional grade lashing straps. Kiernan will never accept that there is no way in. My silly boy, Joe, is completely oblivious to the fact that he's being stalked.
As for being fractious? She had her first vet visit and was an absolute angel.
In early January I adopted a 2 year old domestic short hair whom I've named Kiernan. She's high spirited and hilarious, and I absolutely adore everything about her. I had a cat when I was a kid, but this is the first time I've been 100% responsible for one. I don't think I will ever completely stop worrying about whether I am making the best choices for her, even if they are approved by her wonderful vet!
She was left behind by her previous family when they moved out of their home. I can't imagine how terrified she must have been when this happened. At the shelter, she was labeled as fractious, but the staff said that they thought she was a great cat, just under a lot of stress. They were absolutely right! Her first five days home with me she barely ate. She was given a single dose of appetite stimulant and that solved the problem immediately.
She and I have been getting to know each other, and it's been a lot of fun. She's certainly not a shy cat! When she's awake, she follows me around and is constantly curious about what I am doing. She loves being pet anywhere above her collar, and she absolutely loves her cat wands. I think her previous family used their hands as toys so I am working hard to stop that behavior.
I have an adorable and precious hamster named Joe, and she LOVES to watch him. Joe is in a 35 gallon bin with a heavy duty cookie cooling rack attached to the lid, and a coconut fiber boot scraping mat also sits on top of the lid to provide an extra inch between her and the rack. (Don't worry, the mat has a herringbone pattern that lets in plenty of air.) All this is further held shut by professional grade lashing straps. Kiernan will never accept that there is no way in. My silly boy, Joe, is completely oblivious to the fact that he's being stalked.
As for being fractious? She had her first vet visit and was an absolute angel.
Nice to meet you all. Kiernan is adorable--I love black cats. I'm glad to know Joe doesn't know he's being stalked! 
And congrats on becoming a first-time kitty parent. Kiernan is beautiful. 
