ostarella: (Fang)
Well, it was rainy and cold and windy this morning, so I closed the outside door. I was going to try that last night, but decided I wanted to be wide awake in case Fang took a more rowdy exception to being "locked in". It worked out well, though - the weather certainly helped. As I started to close the door, he scurried out - about a foot. :D Looked around at the rain and general nastiness and came back inside and let me close the door with no further protest. Oh, he had to have his hour of loving up and being told how beautiful and cute he was (yeah, okay, so I tend to get mushy around small animals - as long as no one's around to hear me :p), but after I left he just went back to bed. Then this afternoon it cleared up and the sun came out (and he tried to climb on a bag and had it fall on him - luckily it just had some lightweight stuff in it) so I opened the door for him. Showed absolutely no interest in going outside for over an hour and then he kinda meandered out. So I don't think the switch from outdoor to indoor cat is going to be anywhere near traumatic for him.

Had one more very short encounter with Petey - he hissed, Petey barked - but he didn't take off out the door this time, and I pulled Petey away before things got too frantic. When my brother comes down this weekend, we'll be working on that relationship. Muffy's watched us through the window and seems a little curious - but she's confident enough of her "Queen Bitch" status not to be too worried, I guess :p

Anyway... onward and upward.

35 days...
ostarella: (Fang)
Well, Fang is definitely liking his new abode. I'm still leaving the outside door open, so if he gets spooked he can take off (more on that later). So I went out this morning, thinking he wasn't there, and then I turned around and he's in the middle of the floor, stretching and yawning. While he slept on his bed for a while, apparently he's found a more "secure" place back behind a bunch of boxes (with a path to it only someone his size could possibly fit through). But he was quite happy eating his breakfast and playing with the string and climbing on my shoulders. And of course, the wonderful world of the windowsill - which stretches the length of the porch. This afternoon I got him a fuzzy dangling toy, which he finds quite fascinating. And he's curious about the litter box - if he continues to prefer the indoors to the outdoors, it shouldn't take long for him to figure that out. ;-) Tomorrow I'm going to try and get some pictures (not of the litter box).

Anyway, the dogs are presenting the only real fly in the ointment. Not so much Muffin (the Pom) - she's so far into her own little imaginary world she has no idea what she's barking at or why - she just thinks she should - and then forgets about that almost immediately. I don't think she even realizes there's another animal out there.

Petey (the Jack Russell) is a different story. I had my hands full on one trip out there, and left the inner door open, just the screen door between Petey and Fang. Well, it took a few tentative sniffs from about a foot away - and then I'm not sure what happened, but suddenly Fang arched his back, hissed and swung at Petey - which set Petey off, of course. Jacks can be very aggressive (terrier) but I have never seen Petey that angry before. So Fang raced out the door, and Petey tried to come through the screen - oy!

Anyway, thank goodness it had rained all night so was wet and muddy outside. Fang hates that, and hadn't gone very far at all. He was more than happy to have me come and carry him back inside (after closing the door, of course). And now, as long as that inner door is closed, he just glances over when the dogs bark, and otherwise ignores them. But when I open that door to go inside - he's ready to bolt.

I don't know what to do about Petey. He's either pawing and whining at the door to the porch, or pawing and whining at me for attention. He's so jealous he'd put the Emerald City to shame. And I can't help but feel sorry for the poor guy - he was an abandoned pet (about 2 years old) when I adopted him, so I'm sure that plays a part (or am I humanizing him too much?). So I'm trying to love him up a lot more than normal - but the more I do the more he demands.

Argh...

38 days...
ostarella: (Fang)
Okay - porch cleaned up, and Fang was introduced to it.

First - he's fascinated by carpet. The wood part of the floor - no big deal. The carpeted part was examined in great detail. As was every little nook and cranny - including the places I could've sworn were too small for him to get into. He found the drawstring for an old curtain and entertained himself with that for a long time - I think the fact it was peeking out from under a box had something to do with that. He even started playing with the little plastic ball that he disdained outside. Well, on the floor it rolls much more satisfactorily.

He napped for quite some time on my lap, which considering he'd been jumping at every little strange noise and movement, wasn't surprising. He found his food and water dishes and made great use of both. And seemed quite content to sit in the open doorway and watch what was happening outside, rather than actually go outside. Even the dogs barking on the other side of the inner door seemed only a mild curiosity to him.

He'd settled down in a little nook by the door so I came back in the house. Through the window, I watched him watching the door for a few minutes, and then he dozed off again. Minutes later I hear a thunk - he was was up on the outside window sill, had apparently found out that glass is indeed solid, and that the plants on the sill were similar in taste to the plants outside. (Note to self - move plants.)

I just looked out again and he's either asleep on his bed (out of my line of sight) or he's gone back outside. But the door is open, so we shall see if he feels comfortable coming back in on his own or not. But I have great hopes now. He's accepted the porch.

Onward and upward. 39 days and counting...

Svengali

Sep. 20th, 2009 03:07 pm
ostarella: (Fang)
That's what Fang is, apparently.

My brother - the one who's already coughing if he spends too much time around Fang - has decided that, since it's less than six weeks until Fang goes to his new home, he needs to get used to being inside.

Yeah.

My brother figures it's only for a few weeks, and he's only down on weekends, soooo... I'm clearing up the front porch, so it's kitten-safe, and I'll start letting him in there. I'll have to prop the storm door open, so he can get out if he wants to (at first), and move his sleeping box in there. Then next weekend my brother's bringing his large dog carrier down, so I'll move Fang's sleeping coat (an old winter coat of mine) into that, so he can get used to being in the carrier.

He's also going to be getting gradually acquainted with my dogs. That's inevitable, I think, once he's in the porch. But they can get used to each other through the door first. :p 

But this will definitely make it easier to get him used to the carrier, and he won't go totally berserk when I get him up to Canada and he finds himself in a strange house - with a dog. So, yeah, it'll make the transition much easier for him. And hopefully make the trip easier on both of us.

I'm also more sure Fang is a boy. Don't ask me how - I'd rather forget that little bit of voyeurism - but yeah, I'm pretty sure. I'm just wondering when those little nubbins are going to show up. Unless he's younger than I figured. But he's definitely people-oriented. He follows me around the yard like a puppy, and if either my brother or I come outside, he's right there, demanding attention. He's definitely going to keep his new family occupied :D

Fang again

Sep. 8th, 2009 10:42 am
ostarella: (Default)


Fang had a bit of a wild day yesterday - first close introduction to the lawn mower (he didn't like the noise), his "potty garden" was dug up and sprinklered, and he discovered that, fascinating as the smoke from the barbecue is, it's not good to get it square in the face. So it's understandable, I suppose, that he retired to his favorite resting spot (a hay bale) and was so exhausted he basically laid his head in the food dish so he could eat without too much effort...
ostarella: (Fang)
Well, Fang is back 100% - not only walking normally, but jumping without any stumbles, and - unfortunately - doing his 'bliss drool' again. In fact, I think he's making up for lost time I think he's put most of his weight back on, but his hips still seem bony to me - but maybe that's just the way kittens are. It's been years since I had a cat, so...

I seem to have developed a routine for him - or he has for me, anyway. I go out the same time of day and give him his food and water, and he ignores it and heads right for the chair I sit in for his snuggling. So now I take his food dish (just a little saucer, really) and he eats on my lap in between his gyrations for a rub here and nuzzle there. Not that he's spoiled - I just want to make sure he eats enough before the bigger cats come in and take it (which I know they must be doing - no way he could eat the amount I put out for him).

I figure there are four more steps to getting him ready for his new home. One, get him used to being in the pickup. Two, get him used to being in the pickup after I close the door. Three, get used to being in the pickup while I start it and it's running. And last, get used to being in the pickup while it's moving. I figure after step 1 is accomplished, I'll put his box in there each time we work on the last three steps (and of course, I'll be inside with him - reminder to wear thick clothing ). He's been pretty good about new things though - like with the petting and then picking him up - it was just a matter of letting him go when he got scared, so he knows he's in control. And then it only takes a couple of times and it's old hat for him. Don't know if the truck will be quite that easy, but taken slowly, he should be fine. Last step will be putting a litter box and the floor and hope he realizes it's the only dirt-like surface for him to do his duties in.

And I'm already building my mother-hen list of suggestions for Tracy

Gawd...

Aug. 30th, 2009 02:39 pm
ostarella: (Fang)
Well, went through a nearly sleepless night. Fang hurt himself Friday (I think when he jumped from my arm and landed wrong) and yesterday he was very very shaky on his feet, and wasn't at all active like he usually is. So I fixed a box in the tool house, with some straw covered with my sweatshirt, put his food and water right there by it, and carried him in. He sniffed the sweatshirt and started purring before going inside and snuggling down. But I was worried sick all night and today I delayed going out to check on him because I was quite sure I'd find his little body all cold and stiff. (Yeah, well, that's what I do when I worry...)

Anyway, he's alive and somewhat better than yesterday. He's walking normally, but still not able to jump down from my lap without falling (I only let him try that once!) but I stood there while he ate and drank, and we sat out in the garden, both of us dozing in the warmth. Then I took him back to his "nest" and he snuggled back down again. I see now he's out in another garden, full sun, washing - which he didn't even try to do yesterday. So I think he's on the mend, although I think he lost some weight. He seemed awfully fragile.

Okay, so yeah. This is what I do with pets and animals in general - get paranoid and make mountains out of molehills...
ostarella: (Fang)
I was getting a bit concerned about Fang. The last couple of days I've noticed that he's positively drooling when he's on my lap - I mean, it was like dripping from his mouth. Having had dogs for most of my life, I was used to dog drool, but I'd never seen evidence of that "problem" with cats before. And of course, the more he drooled the more concerned I got, even though he seems very healthy and is actually putting on weight (I can't feel his ribs much at all any more).

So to the wonderful world of the internet. And there I found the answer - vets call it "bliss-related drooling". Apparently some cats, when on your lap or getting their ears scratched or some other very pleasant thing is happening, will drool.

Good grief.

So better keep the wipes handy, Tracy ;-)
ostarella: (Fang)
Bear in mind my brother is over six feet tall ;-)

ostarella: (Fang)
Oh, not without getting my ear chewed off. He let me know he was still upset with me for yesterday - never will understand how something that little can be so loud! Wow.

Anyway, I learned my lesson as far as the rain/food thing. He now rates two sets of dishes - one in the garden, where he's used to being fed, and one in the toolhouse where he grab a midnight snack if he wants to :p  Just as well, anyway. I can give him his "indoor meal" in the morning, and then his "outdoor dining" in the afternoon. The way he's scarfing down the food, he needs two meals a day, I guess. The food offering definitely is increasing, at any rate.

So, after giving me my well-deserved scolding, he ate a bit and then spent the next almost-hour crawling around my lap, playing with the zipper tab on my jacket, pushing his head up against my chin, kneading and purring - just generally enjoying the adoration and pampering. :p My friend is going to find herself dealing with a real monster, as far as demanding attention. If I quit petting him, the protest was loud and clear, I'll tell you. Good grief.

I'm going to dig out the carrier this weekend and clean it up, and then I've got a bit of sheepskin to put on the floor of it. Figured I'd put in the tool house and prop the door open, let him get used to it there. Better than leaving it out in the garden, open to the elements. So his "house" and food dishes will all be together, and he can get used to it on his own time. :D

Now, if I could just quit worrying about the bigger cats and the neighborhood dogs, the traffic, the kids... but I figure he's lasted this long, he probably knows how to hide from all of the above pretty effectively. I'll just be very happy and relieved when he's safe and sound in his new home.
ostarella: (Fang)
I've found a home for Fang!!!!!

HAPPY!! HAPPY!! HAPPY!! HAPPY!! HAPPY!! HAPPY!!

Was chatting with a friend of mine up in Canada and she's going to take him! Soooooo happy! A good loving home for him! YES!!!!

So now, definitely work with him every day to get him really used to being handled, then start introducing the carryall - it's about 8 hours' drive - so he'll be comfortable in it... and then, if not before, I'm going up there the end of October for a con and I'll take him up then.

sigh...

Such a relief...

ostarella: (Fang)
Gad, it seems like all I have to write about any more is this little bugger...

Caught him on my brother's lap yesterday :D Outdoors with a good breeze, otherwise I'm sure my bro would've come in all stopped up and sneezing... He (bro) proudly informed me that Fang was crawling up on his shoulder earlier today.

As for me, I have to take Fang over to his dinner bowl now, or he'll spend all his time getting petted by me. And this evening, after examining my face, glasses and sweatshirt very carefully, he curled up on my lap and "allowed" me to rub his ears while he kneaded my wrist and dozed.

Checked the website for Paws and Claws (the adoption agency in the city) and it confirmed my hopes. They check out prospective adopters, make sure the animals are spayed/neutered, make people sign an agreement that cats will be kept indoors unless on a leash (also law in most cities now), and that people won't declaw until they've had them at least 30 days (and have tried to work around it first). And they do not euthanize unless the animal is terminally ill. So will call them tomorrow, explain the situation and what stage of domestication Fang is at, and hopefully they'll either find a suitable home for him or at least a spot in their sanctuary before the cold weather hits. That's my biggest concern, of course.

I hope they can find a place for him soon, though. I'm trying very hard not to get too attached, but the longer he's here, the harder that will get, of course.
ostarella: (Fang)
Fang wanted his ear-rubbing before dinner today. And has not only discovered that he likes my lap, but can actually jump up on it all by his little self :p 

Oh, and he does Eskimo kisses very nicely...
ostarella: (Fang)
Fang was waiting for me yesterday - quite grouchy that his dinner was late ;-)  And he was very vocal when I had the audacity to quit rubbing his ears - the little tyrant! He did let me pick him up and put him on my lap - although he jumped down immediately and gave me a very unkitten-like glare. :p But then he came right back for more ear-rubbing.

I'm thinking, with the fast progress and his beautiful coloring, I should have no problem finding him a good home before the cold sets in. I'm happy! :D

Oh yeah...

Aug. 12th, 2009 06:04 pm
ostarella: (Fang)
Fang likes to sharpen his claws on my pant leg now.

He also loves getting rubbed behind his ears - but I have to be careful. He's so tiny compared to my dogs. :p
ostarella: (Tired)
The Kitten - or "Fang", as my brother has now named him - is progressing quite well in his socialization. And yes, he's taken my horrifically allergic brother hostage - as long as they're outdoors, at any rate.

Bro came down Friday afternoon and I explained what I was trying to do with The Kitten (my name for him, as I am trying to remain semi-detached). Next thing I know, Bro is out in the garden with a small bowl of milk. He couldn't come in right away for supper because The Kitten was laying under Bro's chair and he didn't want to disturb him.

A special trip was made to the grocery store for kitten food - and no, it wasn't the generic cat food (such as the generic dog food I get for the pooches). No, it was brand-name kitten food - and the little bugger pigged out on it like he hadn't eaten for a month. (Did I mention my brother insisted I add a little milk to the mix?)

The Kitten also comes to me when I go outside, and will rub (tentatively) against pant legs, sniff the slowly offered hand, and occasionally allow me to rub my hand over the tip of his tail. He also feels quite comfortable laying down and snoozing with a foot or so of us.

Bro is of the opinion that by the end of August, The Kitten will be in my lap.

So we wasted several hours over the weekend sitting in the garden, watching this animal eat, poop, chase ants and butterflies, sleep, meow, and otherwise do kitten things. I am under orders to take some string with me when I feed him, so he has something to play with.

Did I mention Bro bought whole milk (versus his usual nonfat skim) specifically with The Kitten in mind?

And yes - the plan is still to find a good home (not here) for him before winter. I don't think my brother is so enamoured of "Fang" that he'd go through allergy shots for him, and I'm not ready to commit to another what - 15, 18 years? - of ownership.

Am going to try and get pictures over the next couple days.

Just so you all can see what Fang looks like, of course...
ostarella: (Why me)
I have a kitten in my yard. We generally have 1-2 cats who take up abode in the out buildings for whatever length of time, but this one is a kitten, and on its own. I generally try not to get "involved" with the feral cats (or other animals without collars or known "other residence"). The last time I did that we started out with an abandoned mama cat and two kittens, which I fed because they were obviously starving. Two years later, we had 27 cats prowling the yard and neighborhood, all very friendly (climbing on our shoulders as we worked in the gardens, following us into the house, etc). Eventually between inbreeding, disease and the highway we lost them all and I vowed that was the last time! Nature, however cruel, should take its course.

Now I have The Kitten.

It's around 8-10 inches long, with a long tail, huge feet, and is, I guess, a silver tabby with rust blended in (I thought at first it was called a tortoise shell but that's something different - and yeah, I looked it up ). I can't tell for sure whether it's a boy or a girl yet, but it's very shy and very verbose. And loves trying to catch butterflies.

And also loves the dog food I've set out for it.

Yes, I've done it again.

Only because it appeared to be very hungry, very young, and alone. If I had evidence of a mama around, I probably wouldn't have done anything. I swear I wouldn't have. But in the course of a couple of days, it's gone from running at the first sight of me, to coming within a couple feet (if I stand still and talk softy).

I'd try to tame it for myself, but with two rather obnoxious (ie, spoiled) dogs and a brother who is severely allergic to cat dander, bringing it in the house is out of the question. And I'm worrying how it will make it through the winter, being so young now and without other "family" to help stay warm. So now the plan is to get it tamed so it feels comfortable being held, and then I'll take it to the local animal adoption place and see if they will take it. I'll pay for the neutering/spaying if necessary.

I should've just ignored the little bugger. I really should have...

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