Hi,
I'm new to this forum, and I think it's great. I hope to be able contribute based on my new experience with a stray.
I'll try to make this quick, while at the same time giving you some background info.
I moved into a new townhouse neighborhood 9 years ago with a new kitten. At the time, one of my new neighbors was involved in a cat rescue organization. There were several stray cats, all spayed/neutered in the neighborhood. They adopted most of them out. Several years after I moved in, she and her husband moved away and asked me if I would take over the duties of feeding the cats. No problem. Over the years, I got to know all of the cats, and they all came, ate quickly, and ran off. Except for one. My nieghbor briefed me on this particular cat (named, "Fluffy"). She was born around the time we moved into our townhouse but she was unable to find a home for her while she was still a kitten. So, she remained a stray. Every day, she came to my door--most of the time, to just sit, or just to see my cat. My cat (Spooky) and Fluffy were becoming good friends. The really liked to just sit there and rub up against the screen door and look at each other. Fluffy was definitely special. She was very social, and had no problem with my 70 pound lab walking right up to her to lick her. Fluffy would even roll on her back and invite my dog to play with her. Fluffy was defintely more trusting of Spooky and my dog than with myself. Over the years, however, and much patience, and she eventually allowed me to get closer to her. Sometimes I would put out food for her and just sit next to her while she ate. Didn't try to pet her--just wanted to let her know I was there--to gain her trust. As you can guess, I got very close to her emotionally. Winter after winter, I would watch her come to my door literally, with chunks of ice clinging to her beautiful long coat. It was heart breaking. If I left the door open and walked away, she would walk inside my house and eat in the foyer--always keeping an eye on the door, ready to run out. I purchased a dog igloo and a special outdoor cat heater, and she slept in there the entire winter. It finally got to the point where she allowed me to pet her last year. Before long, I could sit with her for an hour and just pet her. I knew I could now pick her up and bring her inside for good, however I struggled a little with wondering if I should really take her out of her world. Who was I to take her inside where she couldn't frolic in the grass and catch mice and birds? Was I being selfish by taking her in? I eventually realized that I would have to take her inside. She had been living outside now for 9 years. I'm sure that must be a record for a stray cat. I just knew it wouldn't be long before I found her lying on the side of the road somewhere, and I couldn't have that. So, I did take her in and had my vet ready to check her out and test her, and she got a clean bill of health. That was in December, 2004 (3 months ago).
That takes us to today. As you might guess, Spooky liked Fluffy better when she was outside. Fluffy has the entire spare bedroom to herself (about 10 x 10 feet). I believe I followed all the introduction rules even though Spooky and Fluffy already knew each other--knew their smells, etc. I kept the door closed for about 10 days, then actually installed a screen door in place of the bedroom door for 3 weeks, then took the door off completely. Fluffy stays in that room all day, every day. There is a sofa in the room that she hid under for a few weeks, and it provides a very nice hiding space, however, she no longer hides under it. She stays in the room, sitting on the couch in full view, so it's not like she's scared. She doesn't appear to sleep a lot. For example, it seems whenever I peak in, she is wide awake--sitting up with her eyes wide open. I pop in there a few times a day to pet her, and once and a while I pick her up and bring her into another room, but she always runs back to her room--her safe place. Spooky generally leaves her alone, unless Fluffy does walk to the door, at which time Spooky will hiss at her. Sometimes, Spooky just sits outside Fluffy's room and just stares at her on the couch, but most of the time, Spooky is not even bothering with her.
I don't really think Fluffy is very scared of Spooky, though Spooky has clearly established that this is her territory and has been for 9 years, so how dare you try and move in here. When Spooky does hiss at her, Fluffy will sometimes hop down from the couch and move toward the back of it. Spooky does not have front claws (a decision I regret greatly--I got Spooky before I knew much about cats, and I thought everyone got their cats declawed). Fluffy, of course, has her claws.
So, here is my question: Is it normal for Fluffy to spend 99.999% of her time sitting on the couch in her room like an old lady? I swear, I think if I just got her a pair of knitting needles, she would be just like an old lady. Should I be doing something to get her out of that room and into other parts of the house? Her litter, food and water are in that room. Or, is Fluffy just glad to have a place to rest after 9 years on the run outside? She seems content--she doesn't make sound, doesn't meow. SHe just sits on the couch.
Your thoughts?
Thanks.
I'm new to this forum, and I think it's great. I hope to be able contribute based on my new experience with a stray.
I'll try to make this quick, while at the same time giving you some background info.
I moved into a new townhouse neighborhood 9 years ago with a new kitten. At the time, one of my new neighbors was involved in a cat rescue organization. There were several stray cats, all spayed/neutered in the neighborhood. They adopted most of them out. Several years after I moved in, she and her husband moved away and asked me if I would take over the duties of feeding the cats. No problem. Over the years, I got to know all of the cats, and they all came, ate quickly, and ran off. Except for one. My nieghbor briefed me on this particular cat (named, "Fluffy"). She was born around the time we moved into our townhouse but she was unable to find a home for her while she was still a kitten. So, she remained a stray. Every day, she came to my door--most of the time, to just sit, or just to see my cat. My cat (Spooky) and Fluffy were becoming good friends. The really liked to just sit there and rub up against the screen door and look at each other. Fluffy was definitely special. She was very social, and had no problem with my 70 pound lab walking right up to her to lick her. Fluffy would even roll on her back and invite my dog to play with her. Fluffy was defintely more trusting of Spooky and my dog than with myself. Over the years, however, and much patience, and she eventually allowed me to get closer to her. Sometimes I would put out food for her and just sit next to her while she ate. Didn't try to pet her--just wanted to let her know I was there--to gain her trust. As you can guess, I got very close to her emotionally. Winter after winter, I would watch her come to my door literally, with chunks of ice clinging to her beautiful long coat. It was heart breaking. If I left the door open and walked away, she would walk inside my house and eat in the foyer--always keeping an eye on the door, ready to run out. I purchased a dog igloo and a special outdoor cat heater, and she slept in there the entire winter. It finally got to the point where she allowed me to pet her last year. Before long, I could sit with her for an hour and just pet her. I knew I could now pick her up and bring her inside for good, however I struggled a little with wondering if I should really take her out of her world. Who was I to take her inside where she couldn't frolic in the grass and catch mice and birds? Was I being selfish by taking her in? I eventually realized that I would have to take her inside. She had been living outside now for 9 years. I'm sure that must be a record for a stray cat. I just knew it wouldn't be long before I found her lying on the side of the road somewhere, and I couldn't have that. So, I did take her in and had my vet ready to check her out and test her, and she got a clean bill of health. That was in December, 2004 (3 months ago).
That takes us to today. As you might guess, Spooky liked Fluffy better when she was outside. Fluffy has the entire spare bedroom to herself (about 10 x 10 feet). I believe I followed all the introduction rules even though Spooky and Fluffy already knew each other--knew their smells, etc. I kept the door closed for about 10 days, then actually installed a screen door in place of the bedroom door for 3 weeks, then took the door off completely. Fluffy stays in that room all day, every day. There is a sofa in the room that she hid under for a few weeks, and it provides a very nice hiding space, however, she no longer hides under it. She stays in the room, sitting on the couch in full view, so it's not like she's scared. She doesn't appear to sleep a lot. For example, it seems whenever I peak in, she is wide awake--sitting up with her eyes wide open. I pop in there a few times a day to pet her, and once and a while I pick her up and bring her into another room, but she always runs back to her room--her safe place. Spooky generally leaves her alone, unless Fluffy does walk to the door, at which time Spooky will hiss at her. Sometimes, Spooky just sits outside Fluffy's room and just stares at her on the couch, but most of the time, Spooky is not even bothering with her.
I don't really think Fluffy is very scared of Spooky, though Spooky has clearly established that this is her territory and has been for 9 years, so how dare you try and move in here. When Spooky does hiss at her, Fluffy will sometimes hop down from the couch and move toward the back of it. Spooky does not have front claws (a decision I regret greatly--I got Spooky before I knew much about cats, and I thought everyone got their cats declawed). Fluffy, of course, has her claws.
So, here is my question: Is it normal for Fluffy to spend 99.999% of her time sitting on the couch in her room like an old lady? I swear, I think if I just got her a pair of knitting needles, she would be just like an old lady. Should I be doing something to get her out of that room and into other parts of the house? Her litter, food and water are in that room. Or, is Fluffy just glad to have a place to rest after 9 years on the run outside? She seems content--she doesn't make sound, doesn't meow. SHe just sits on the couch.
Your thoughts?
Thanks.