Caturday & Buttons

[msjorje]

Nikki (Serena) has 3 cats. That was not the plan. They had 2 cats and a dog. There was this lovely little cat, though, that was surviving outside. Nikki and a neighbor were feeding the cat, but it got SOOO cold out... it was freezing. And the cat would sit on the wood pile outside my mother's bedroom window and meow and meow and meow. The cat does go on, I tell you! So... they finally let the cat into their home. Her name is Aisha. They took her to get "fixed." The vet was befuddled when they shaved the cat only to find scars... where she had already been fixed!

She is a tiny little cat, very needy. I love this cat. I think she may be my favorite cat ever. When I visit Mom & Nikki, she always comes when I call her. She sits in my lap, nuzzles my chin, and generally soaks up all the attention I will give to her.

Fast forward to this past weekend. For various reasons, they often have to keep Aisha in a cage. It is a very large cage (not a crate), but Aisha is NOT a cage cat! She is an outdoor cat and has taken to rebelling... by messing in her cage every time she is in it. They asked me to please try taking Aisha for a couple of weeks. This would give them a much needed break and be a little more freedom like Aisha apparently desired. We only crate Elmo's cats when they are misbehaving a lot.

Saturday afternoon, Nikki arrived with Aisha. She stayed for a few hours and had dinner with us. The cats were generally avoiding each other and hissing a lot. Nikki left. I think Aisha stayed under the couch (normally Ghost's hiding spot) all night. I don't think she slept at all. I don't believe she ate a bite or used the litter box at all. Sunday I even taking her into our bedroom alone and leaving her with dry food, wet food, and water. I tried staying with her with it, too. She was not interested. We tried locking Elmo's cats up (injuring him in the process), giving Aisha the run of the rest of the apartment. Still no go. She was still hiding. We finally let all the cats roam again.

I was heartbroken. It was just NOT working. Elmo assured me that we had done what we could and that it wasn't my fault. I felt like I'd let everyone down. I felt like I let Elmo down by even bringing this strange cat into our home. I felt like I'd let Veronica down because she was really excited about getting to have Aisha here. I certainly felt like I'd let Mom & Nikki down! Veronica and I finally took Aisha home.

Nikki seemed very down... and she was. She knew this meant they'd have to find another home for Aisha. One that meant less visiting (if any). I couldn't take it, I fell apart. Mom assured me that this wasn't my fault. I knew logically that it wasn't, but I felt horrible anyway.

Eventually, Nikki took Veronica for a walk with the dog and then on their own. I went on a short(ish) errand. Then Mom (and later Nikki) dug out her buttons and all of us went through button collections, starting a new collection for me and even a little one for Veronica. When I took Veronica home, she brought out my old button collection that I shared with her. She decided to leave her new collection with me, at the apartment. It is in a miniature tin lunch box and is SO cute! I am also very happy to have my own collection back. I told Mom that I'd bring them over soon and we could all go through them to share from mine, too.

This is why my mood (on other community sites) yesterday was thankful for my family (including Elmo). They all helped make my day so much better.

My weekend was so stressful that it totally took my mind off my worries about what I will do about living arrangements. I couldn't even maintain excitement over my upcoming doctor appointment for Monday afternoon!

Comments

[nxtwothou.livejournal.com]

Once Aisha is settled back in over at Nikki's, you may want to consider the long drawn out introduction like http://maxshouse.com/introducing_cats.htm to see if it works any better. It sounds like all the kitties are particularly territorial.

[jorjedatoy.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks! I wish I'd seen this a few days ago!

[nxtwothou.livejournal.com]

My ex did a great deal of foster work, so we had to introduce a lot of animals. Honestly, we had some that bonded instantly and then had some that could never stand each other. Its all about the individual personalities. Mostly don't get discouraged and realize that it doesn't have anything to do with you, if they don't get along.

My old white girl is a 'fraidy cat and my young orange cat is a bully. She has to have her own room because she'll never adjust to his tormenting(and she has a heart condition).