Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sun569) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:18:29 GMT

Going to look right now.....

Beautiful cat,what breed is it again?? So glad you shared it with us

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (gothgimpbadcooking) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:54:40 GMT

You guys are so sweet to ask -- we've been back since Wednesday. Check out the photos section for an update!

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sun569) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:29:02 GMT

Have to second that, as we do miss the updates. Pop in when you can

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sniksnak) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:50:22 GMT

Shana, it's been about 11 days since your last post. Are y'all back? How's Klaus? I do hope he's fine and didn't suffer any major setbacks. Let us know how all's going. We've missed your updates!

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sun569) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:38:08 GMT

I as a human...would be quite ruffled having 5 homes, one being a prison type home, in 1 months time. Poor thing! I am so happy you took him in. Klaus will come around one way or another after he realizes he has a permanent home.

I have no experience to offer in reference to introducing Klaus to Silos,but I think it might go better than you expect.

Good luck, and keep us posted. We love to hear how things go.

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (firemanslady) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:18:35 GMT

Our latest addition here was scared and would not let either of us touch him...he would hiss, swat, and bite and he meant it!! For a month we had him isolated from the other cats and had just about given up on him as a feral, until one day one of our other cats darted into the area he was kept in....he immediately started "trilling", purring, and head bonking the other cat!! He acted as if they were litter mates and it was the best thing that had ever happened. With the other cat...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (big cats) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:15:16 GMT

Yes, PetSmart is where I got mine too. But like I said, I thought the Kitten Attract was slightly better.... a softer texture. There's also Senior Attract which is the first one I got a huge recommendation from by someone else... I haven't gotten to try that one yet. None of my kittens are dead yet from the herb(s) With the trial these kittens are giving me, I actually wish it was Ritalin in the litter. Or Nyquil.

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (gothgimpbadcooking) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:57:17 GMT

Jen,

I know that most PetSmart stores have Cat Attract. I have a local pet shop closer to me that carries it, so that's where I go. You can order it online -- it's only $11.50 on Amazon and you get free shipping if you buy a few bags at a time.

--Shana

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (firemanslady) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:25:22 GMT

So happy to hear he peed!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!! I'm going to try "Cat Attract" here if I can find somewhere that has it now. The petstore that I know had it is closing soon and they won't order any for me. I'm with you as far as the mystery herb at this point.....my house is beginning to be overwhelmed with cat pee now! So glad Klaus is finally adjusting to the litter box again. Exploring the house with supervision (of course) might not be a bad idea as long as you...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sniksnak) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:24:19 GMT

Klaus is a terrific name, Shana! I do like it very much.

Poor little man! This is what I tell every prospective adoptor - there's always excessive baggage that a cat or dog is carrying that we don't know about and to take things slowly and with great patience.

Though Klaus has a disctintively different personality than that of Silas, I believe that the intros will be fine, given time. Silas may be the best thing...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (gothgimpbadcooking) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:04:22 GMT

BigCat: Thanks for the reassurance on Klaus' potential "holding it" time. That makes me a lot less nervous.

Sun: I appreciate the kudos, but this pales in comparison to the patience I need to have on a day to day basis as an elementary school teacher. Petting a cat and making sure it has the right litter is nothing!

And, that's right all, yesterday after I changed the box and litter there was a teeny tiny perfectly round circle in the middle of the...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (big cats) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:54:54 GMT

I'd be hesitant to recommend a covered box, as so many cats have problems with those. Mine love them, but that's one of the first things you're supposed to do when you're having litterbox problems - get rid of the cover. Although the privacy is nice, the cover can make the cat feel trapped if someone does happen to come by at the wrong time. I'd go more for a large uncovered box behind a couch or chair or something, with two escape routes. Or two boxes - one uncovered,...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sun569) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:47:42 GMT

Again I am not the best int he way of advice here on the litter box issue, but for my cat, I had to put her into it a few times an hour the first time, and she just took right to it. I think she realalized that the feeling in the box was an okay thing, so she would use it to do her duties Also, I am not sure my cat would like a closed box,as she doesn't seem to like enclosed areas unless they are her...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (gothgimpbadcooking) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:39:39 GMT

I learned that Klaus was previously using a somewhat larger uncovered litterbox before with plain scoopable or clay litter. I'm using a 12x16 uncovered box with World's Best. I'm going to to out and pick up a bigger box and different litter but based on what you said, Kim, might it be better to get a covered box for added privacy? Or should I try to stick to what he knows?

I moved the box closer to his hideout and he still hasn't touched it but, again, if...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (big cats) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:04:30 GMT

My guess on the litterbox is that, because he's still feeling so frightened, he feels exposed when he has to cross the room to get to the box. It sounds to me like he's got the idea that he should go in the box, but can't quite get up the courage to make it that far and be "stuck" out in the open once he starts pooping. I would put it very close to where ever he is hiding out, and make it private yet not inescapable from (if he should hear a loud noise or...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (firemanslady) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:28:57 GMT

LOL!!! This is becoming the multiple name kitty!! Sounds like our house!! Many times we name them when they arrive, only to change it a few times as the personality emerges. The only problem with this is, when you have so many especially, that you have to remember the original name (or change it on the records) that you gave when the vet's office asks, "which cat it this?"

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sun569) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:10:57 GMT

Well..I am glad he is repsonding. I like Klaus too We chnaged our kitties name several times. Now we have settled on one, and she knows it for sure! She talks to me quite a bit.

When you go out of town, and come back, you may have a bit of a set back, so don't get discouraged. Klaus may not adapt well to the change if only for a week. I think you are doing well.

Unfortuneltly, I...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (gothgimpbadcooking) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:59:39 GMT

I don't know how you can tell that a name fits or just does not fit a cat, but we knew somehow that the name Tex just does not fit that cat! Anyway, during yesterday's cat therapy session, which went especially well, we settled (finally, I swear, for sure!) on the name Klaus, which somehow fits like a glove!

My SO is having success with scooping him out from under the chair -- a big no no most times, I know, but Klaus is responding well to it. My SO has this theory...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (big cats) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 12:35:25 GMT

and my biggest problem was getting my vets to understand that feral cats aren't "more trouble than they are worth" (an exact quote from one of them) or that they can be tamed, including a few who were guessimated to be 5+ years at the time of trapping.

Exactly... I use a wide variety of vets and so many of them just do not seem to understand feral cats. Or why someone would be interested in their well-being. Even my best feral vet...

Re: Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (sniksnak) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:18:21 GMT

What a wonderful homecoming for you both, Shana! Tex sounds as though he's coming right along. I'm so happy for you and him!

Years ago when I first started out in rescue, I started using the TTouch technique that Jen has described. It's a fantastic method to assist calming any animal, especially those who are traumatized or seriously ill. Linda Tellington-Jones, who is the creator of this technique, has a

Y'all asked... a Mocha/Tex update

feeds@yuku.com (gothgimpbadcooking) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:27:14 GMT

Thank you all for your interest in our new little buddy, now renamed Tex (as in Don't mess with...)! He is much less skittish than he is cautious, moving and curling up like he wishes he could disappear. He is letting us pet him now with no hissing or anything, but the way he seems to go limp when he sits on our laps, not squiggling or squirming at all when we try to pick him up, and the fact that he looks like he really hasn't been cleaning himself for a while made us opt on the...