Tiggy & Nala: On the Right Track

Dear Greyce,



Remember us? You wrote about each of us: Tiggy's Trial and also Is Nala A Nuisance? both posted on August 16, 2010.


Oh well, purrhaps you get questions from a lot of cats who don’t get along and don’t quite have our names at the tip of your pink tongue. But we wanted to let you know how well we are doing.


As the elder cat, I (Tiggy) will go first: I am gaining confidence and getting a little vocal about coming out of the bedroom (where I am sequestered). My purrson and I have at least two long play sessions a day, as well as some down-time together. I even wake her up early for a play session!


I am out from under the bed and now usually perch on top of the dresser. Sometimes I’m at the bedroom door waiting for my folks. I also have a delightful private space under a table that has a table cloth that goes all the way to the floor.


Great news! Our purrson made us a fishing-pole toy out from a long pole and butcher’s string. Nala and I both love it.


Now over to Nala: I think my folks have learned a lot about cat communication because they seem to understand me better. I still nip a little but I must admit to getting more comfortable in my new home. I love to play and play and play. At times I will nuzzle on the lap of my purrson when she is on the couch with a soft blanket over her.


So Greyce, we are doing much, much better after following your advice. We will keep you posted.


Purrs from Tiggy and Nala

Dear Tiggy and Nala, Congratulations on your progress. By the time this entry gets posted I’m sure you will have advanced even more. Keep up the good work.

With purrs of encouragement,

Greyce

Filou's Diary

Dear Readers,

You may recall a handsome cat called Filou who was trying to welcome a new companion, Molly. Molly was having difficulty adjusting to her new circumstances. Their story has been told in several blog entries:
I've Been Kidnapped (4/6/10)
Molly's Adventure (5/6/10)
Possessiveness on the Rise (6/1/10)
Molly Takes A Big Step (6/10/10)

I’m pleased to report that all is going very well. And to give you some idea of the progress that has been made, Filou agreed to share selected entries from his diary.

Over to you Filou.

Dealing with a Pest

Dear Greyce,

I am a stunningly beautiful 10-year-old tortie (that's me on the right with the lovely red collar) who lives in a two-floor townhouse: the main floor is open plan (with my food and water in the kitchen) and the bedrooms and laundry room are upstairs. There is a cat door to the bedroom, as well as one to the laundry room where the litter box resides. I enjoy full use of my home including a lovely cat perch and a multi-level cat tree. And I have access to the outdoors, on a leash and harness.

For many years I shared this home with a distinguished Siamese companion named Basil. We were the best of friends and did everything together. Last year Basil left his physical form and I mourned him deeply. But I adjusted, for I had my purrson all to myself.


Because I was missing feline friendship, Herself thought she would do me a favour. This so-called favour arrived in a cat carrier in May (a year after Basil’s death). I sniffed both it and its contents and because I didn’t seem distressed, they opened it up and out came a kitten.


Lucy is a rambunctious calico who is now five months of age. She is intact; I am spayed.


When she is not eating or sleeping, she is playing. She has toys to keep her occupied: mice which she fetches and a laser pointer to chase after; but she also insists on bugging me ALL THE TIME and most often in the living room where we hang out. She runs at me, chases me, silently pounces on me, and bites - all day long! In retaliation, I hiss and scream at her; but I never use my claws. Greyce, this brat is getting on my nerves!

Friendship Gone Sour

Dear Greyce, We are handsome cats, Taro (age 3) and Yoshi (age 4), and have been together splendidly for three years.


Yoshi is a cuddler who is initially fearful of human visitors but soon becomes friends as long as children are not involved. He prefurrs to be up high on his favourite cat tree.


I have more leadership skills. I’m not a lap cat – though I love to be petted. I’m a man of action; I initiate our mutual play (though he is the first to stop). I prefurr to be closer to the ground and underneath things; height is not my thing. For example, I like to nap underneath the table or inside cardboard boxes.

Yoshi is much more playful when I am not around. For example, I hide from the dreaded vacuum cleaner and he doesn’t. Instead he takes the opportunity to find his spring toy and chase it!


I like attention from Themselves and tell them when it is time to play with me. And if I see them giving Yoshi attention, I will stop what I’m doing and encourage them to attend to me.


Basically, Greyce, things have gone well between us.


We Got Along Well Until . . .

Design Ideas Help Cats Become Friends Again

Dear Greyce, Remember us? The Tonkinese who started to fight after seeing an invading cat (Tonkinese in Trouble - August 5, 2010)? Well we took your advice and it worked!

Within day of the dreaded incident, we had gotten to the point of being fine together – sleeping together, grooming each other, eating together - as long as we were not near the scene of the crime. Then you suggested that we get desensitized to that area.