On 18 Dec, a very large cat showed up at our house. It was late and cold, and he looked in the door and made it clear he wanted inside. Well, since we have two cats already and he was a stranger, we could not let him in the house. WLToo walked out and the cat ran to him, so he walked the cat into the garage and into the climate controlled room out there.
He was extremely hungry and thirsty, but in otherwise good condition and very clean. We fixed up a bed for him, set up the feeding and elimination stations, and went to bed.
Next day, we worked in the garage all day, while the big guy slept or supervised. We found him to be an intact male, no sign he's ever worn a collar, and he has a strong need to be in the general vicinity of humans. For an intact male, he's remarkably mellow - I don't think he was the alpha cat in his previous home.
Have had zero responses to the "found cat" notices around the area and online, so we'll be working with the local rescues to get him neutered and all his shots, then find him a home. We can't keep him because he's just too big for our two cats to share our small house. Alex would have another emotional meltdown, and I don't want to go through that mess again (long, ugly story).
For now, we're calling him Spot, not that he answers to it (does answer to "Kitty, Kitty"). No idea how he travels; we'll find out when we take him to the vet on Tuesday.
If anyone knows of someone who would like a large (about 15-18 pounds) cat who needs to be with people, please let me know. No cat novices, please; this cat needs someone who knows exactly how to handle an adult cat of this size, especially when he's feeling frisky.
We're at Canyon Lake, TX, so if there are any Winter Texans nearby who would like to meet him and maybe give him a home, that would be great.
He was extremely hungry and thirsty, but in otherwise good condition and very clean. We fixed up a bed for him, set up the feeding and elimination stations, and went to bed.
Next day, we worked in the garage all day, while the big guy slept or supervised. We found him to be an intact male, no sign he's ever worn a collar, and he has a strong need to be in the general vicinity of humans. For an intact male, he's remarkably mellow - I don't think he was the alpha cat in his previous home.
Have had zero responses to the "found cat" notices around the area and online, so we'll be working with the local rescues to get him neutered and all his shots, then find him a home. We can't keep him because he's just too big for our two cats to share our small house. Alex would have another emotional meltdown, and I don't want to go through that mess again (long, ugly story).
For now, we're calling him Spot, not that he answers to it (does answer to "Kitty, Kitty"). No idea how he travels; we'll find out when we take him to the vet on Tuesday.
If anyone knows of someone who would like a large (about 15-18 pounds) cat who needs to be with people, please let me know. No cat novices, please; this cat needs someone who knows exactly how to handle an adult cat of this size, especially when he's feeling frisky.
We're at Canyon Lake, TX, so if there are any Winter Texans nearby who would like to meet him and maybe give him a home, that would be great.
If these two don't calm down soon, I'll be anemic... I've long had scars from handling cats, but these two are puncturing me several times a day. My dermatologist will have something to say in a couple weeks...
Here's the best picture yet of Rudy. Note how he has spots on his haunches, instead of stripes.
WLToo stayed up all night Wednesday, tending the smoker. The cats decided to keep him company, routinely zooming through the house to keep him awake. The result was three exhausted guys and a great smoked turkey. We all managed to not overeat, we sent plenty of leftovers home with visitors, and we still have most of a turkey to serve at our writers' group Christmas potluck.
Today, WLToo is still sleeping off and on. Rudy and Czarny did their early morning zooming, played with me (demanded it, actually), zoomed some more, and are also sleeping. I'm considering a nap myself. It's just that kind of day.
Leoghaire and this year's fawn came up yesterday and this morning. We didn't have anything for them (they don't like root vegetables, except carrots), so they ate the acorns in the copse.
Cousin with fifth wheel is visiting next week. They lost their dog that Alex despised so much late in the summer, so Czarny and Rudy should not be meeting dogs in the house this trip. I don't think they'd care for it -- they sure flattened their little kitty ears each time the shelter dogs started barking. Guess I won't be playing my tape of dogs barking Jingle Bells this year...
It occurred to me I've not eaten breakfast. If I don't eat, the gastritis pain shows up, so best get to it. Later, y'all.
Here's the best picture yet of Rudy. Note how he has spots on his haunches, instead of stripes.
WLToo stayed up all night Wednesday, tending the smoker. The cats decided to keep him company, routinely zooming through the house to keep him awake. The result was three exhausted guys and a great smoked turkey. We all managed to not overeat, we sent plenty of leftovers home with visitors, and we still have most of a turkey to serve at our writers' group Christmas potluck.
Today, WLToo is still sleeping off and on. Rudy and Czarny did their early morning zooming, played with me (demanded it, actually), zoomed some more, and are also sleeping. I'm considering a nap myself. It's just that kind of day.
Leoghaire and this year's fawn came up yesterday and this morning. We didn't have anything for them (they don't like root vegetables, except carrots), so they ate the acorns in the copse.
Cousin with fifth wheel is visiting next week. They lost their dog that Alex despised so much late in the summer, so Czarny and Rudy should not be meeting dogs in the house this trip. I don't think they'd care for it -- they sure flattened their little kitty ears each time the shelter dogs started barking. Guess I won't be playing my tape of dogs barking Jingle Bells this year...
It occurred to me I've not eaten breakfast. If I don't eat, the gastritis pain shows up, so best get to it. Later, y'all.
Thanks, Ralph. I do believe Czarny and Rudy will give us a lot of stories, too.
Rudy is a remarkably strong cat. Last night, it was very, very cold. Czarny slept with us. At one point, I felt Rudy walk across my feet, but when I shifted a little, he left. When WLToo woke up, he put his feet down on bare tile. Seems Rudy pulled the entire bedside rug under the bed and slept on it. WLToo has trouble shifting that rug, but Rudy pulled it completely under the bed and we never heard a sound. It will be even colder tonight; I hope Rudy joins us in bed and stays. If not, WLToo's feet will be cold in the morning...
We took the boys to the vet for their checkup, and to transfer their medical records to us. Rudy was fairly easy to put into the carrier, after we shooed him out from under the bed. Czarny, having seen Rudy go into the carrier, decided he wasn't having it. The chase was on. He'd hide somewhere, then come out when we called and rub on our legs. We'd pick him up, walk toward his carrier, and he'd go crazy. Finally got him into it by sneaky means, and he howled ugly names at us until the pickup actually began moving. Then he got just as quiet as Rudy.
At the vet, Czarny came out of his carrier and hid behind the computer monitor, the usual hiding spot for critters visiting the vet. Rudy was almost comatose in fear. When the vet pulled him out of the carrier, Rudy clung with all four feet to the blanket, so the vet examined him as he clung to it. Then all of us petted and fussed over him, to the point that he actually purred and didn't want to go back into the carrier. Czarny was expertly put back into his carrier, and home we went.
When we got home, Czarny shot out of the carrier and went into hiding. He stayed mad at us for almost 30 minutes. Meanwhile, I slid Rudy out of his carrier, wrapped him in the blanket, and held him. WLToo and I fussed over him until he nearly relaxed. WLToo fed him some treats, which he happily ate, then he wanted down. He's been visible off and on all evening, even watching a little TV, and not scramming the moment he sees us watching him.
Rudy weighs a full two pounds less than Czarny, leading me to believe he was the runt of that litter. Probably also explains why he's so fearful. But when our nephew dropped by, with a 20 pound turkey for WLToo to smoke next week, Rudy didn't even "spoil his relax" when Nephew looked under the cocktail table to see him. I do believe he's turning a corner and realizing this is his forever home.
I see Czarny wiggling his butt. Rudy must be on the other side of the door. I want to watch this. Later, y'all.
Rudy is a remarkably strong cat. Last night, it was very, very cold. Czarny slept with us. At one point, I felt Rudy walk across my feet, but when I shifted a little, he left. When WLToo woke up, he put his feet down on bare tile. Seems Rudy pulled the entire bedside rug under the bed and slept on it. WLToo has trouble shifting that rug, but Rudy pulled it completely under the bed and we never heard a sound. It will be even colder tonight; I hope Rudy joins us in bed and stays. If not, WLToo's feet will be cold in the morning...
We took the boys to the vet for their checkup, and to transfer their medical records to us. Rudy was fairly easy to put into the carrier, after we shooed him out from under the bed. Czarny, having seen Rudy go into the carrier, decided he wasn't having it. The chase was on. He'd hide somewhere, then come out when we called and rub on our legs. We'd pick him up, walk toward his carrier, and he'd go crazy. Finally got him into it by sneaky means, and he howled ugly names at us until the pickup actually began moving. Then he got just as quiet as Rudy.
At the vet, Czarny came out of his carrier and hid behind the computer monitor, the usual hiding spot for critters visiting the vet. Rudy was almost comatose in fear. When the vet pulled him out of the carrier, Rudy clung with all four feet to the blanket, so the vet examined him as he clung to it. Then all of us petted and fussed over him, to the point that he actually purred and didn't want to go back into the carrier. Czarny was expertly put back into his carrier, and home we went.
When we got home, Czarny shot out of the carrier and went into hiding. He stayed mad at us for almost 30 minutes. Meanwhile, I slid Rudy out of his carrier, wrapped him in the blanket, and held him. WLToo and I fussed over him until he nearly relaxed. WLToo fed him some treats, which he happily ate, then he wanted down. He's been visible off and on all evening, even watching a little TV, and not scramming the moment he sees us watching him.
Rudy weighs a full two pounds less than Czarny, leading me to believe he was the runt of that litter. Probably also explains why he's so fearful. But when our nephew dropped by, with a 20 pound turkey for WLToo to smoke next week, Rudy didn't even "spoil his relax" when Nephew looked under the cocktail table to see him. I do believe he's turning a corner and realizing this is his forever home.
I see Czarny wiggling his butt. Rudy must be on the other side of the door. I want to watch this. Later, y'all.
