Monday, September 17, 2018

The Crowded House

Raleigh’s adaptation to indoor living has been, on his part, simple and easy. He was clearly an inside cat at some point, and knows the purpose of furniture, and cat-furniture. He spent the weekend checking out all the various spots in which to snooze. The small cat-beds seem to appeal to him most.


But the addition of another cat to the household has not sit well with some of those already here. Tucker has taken exception to Raleigh, and hisses whenever he sees him. He has become quite growly, too, growling at what seems to be nothing from time to time.


Parker, as well, is out of sorts because of the newcomer. He reacted similarly when Echo the kitten came to stay for a couple of weeks last September. I don’t know if it arises from a concern over possible displacement - the orange boy was the newest cat - or just a dislike of Raleigh. He growls even at me, though they are complaints, rather than threats.


Cammie, perhaps not unexpectedly, is grumpy over the arrival of the peachy boy. She will growl, quite fiercely, at Raleigh, even if the latter is simply lying in a cat-bed a couple of feet away. This is not unusual behaviour in the princess, though the degree of its harshness gives me some concern. But she has also expressed a bit more of a need for attention lately, wanting onto my lap as I sit on the couch and, especially, lying on my neck during the night.


I have been trying to give each of these beasts extra cuddles and pets, and not neglecting Renn and Josie, who are much less affected, at least superficially, by Raleigh’s advent. The truth is that the apartment is too small for six cats, and my time, limited as it was for four or five, is even more so for half a dozen. Taking Raleigh in was the right decision. Seeing him curled up in a cat-bed on a chilly autumn night shows that he was not a feral feline and obviously missed the warmth and security of an inside home. But a bigger home would serve him and his roommates better.


They will not get that soon, however, so Josie, Tucker, Renn, Cammie, Parker - and now Raleigh - and I, will adjust our habits, settle down to new routines and grow accustomed to our crowded house. We ‘don’t dream it’s over.’

18 comments:

  1. There are no other foster options for Raleigh, then? (You might have posted something in a comment previously, but I admit to forgetting to check back on your blog and others as well.)

    I have to say that I'm beyond impressed at your ability to juggle so many cat personalities in one household, regardless of dwelling size. I struggled with the Annie/Nicki dynamic--there never was any peace in the house and I think our stress fed off of each other (cat and human). I hope there will be a good solution for all, in your case.

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    1. Raleigh will be available for adoption once we know more about his personality. The chances of an FIV-positive cat being adopted, especially by people who already have cats are not good. As for fostering, there are other, more crowded and urgent situations that would be alleviated first, if more foster-homes were available.

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  2. Thank you for the lovely comment on our precious little Diva.
    She gave Diva a new meaning. Each time I see a sun puddle or a box I'll smile. She gave me so much joy and I'm pretty sure she'd be royally UPSET if I quit blogging so I will be back ...and who knows an Angelic Diva will probably fly every so often too.

    Your kitties are precious and so healthy looking.
    Hugs and Proud to have been Mom of Madi
    Cecilia who lives in Raleigh, NC...

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  3. Cats can be so catty! Okay, that was trite. Am very sure that you will help each feline find their happy place, and if no one starts inappropriately peeing in the corner, then you are golden!

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  4. Raleigh seems content finding his new sleeping places, and doesn't seem bothered by the other cats reactions to him. Hopefully with time they will accept his presence.

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  5. I can understand and I only have two....my space is also limited and frankly I don't ever see tuna and mackerull becoming friends; while tuna was a "bully" with sauce, he seems a bit more tolerant of mackerull; probably because he is a kitten.

    Let's just say the day I see them "close" will be the day we all heed caution as the world will have stopped spinning on its axis ~~~~~~ ☺☺♥♥

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  6. I am really hoping hard that all will go well with all the beasts. It's hard on them all. Poor Raleigh is just being grateful with all his sweet heart. The others will, I hope, get used to him being there. Bless you each.

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  7. I wish I was a multi-millionaire, John. The first thing I'd do is buy us both mansions large enough to house a platoon of cats.

    Your Cammie and my Kate would each need a whole wing all to themselves, I suspect.

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  8. I certainly understand "where you're coming from", John. Been there - done that as the saying goes! Like you, I have 6 cats in a one bedroom apartment. (Don't tell my landlord - he thinks I have only 2!) It will take time, (maybe months), but eventually things will settle down, and the hissing and growling will become less and less. Every day will get a little better. All the cats may never become friends, but in time they will learn to either tolerate each other or avoid each other. Meanwhile, God bless you for giving Raleigh a home since finding a foster or a "fur-ever" home for him may not be possible.

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  9. I agree with Katie and Roberta. Bless you for all that you do for your cats and others! I hope the others will soon be tolerant of Raleigh but with your patience and wisdom I'm sure things will work out. You will find a way. So thankful to see Raleigh in a nice warm home with a full belly!

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  10. John, I have had good results from using Feliway Friends ( a plug-in diffuser device) in the room where the cats spend most of their time.It is a synthetic copy of the cat appeasing pheromone which is naturally produced by the mother cat after giving birth to her kittens.It helps to maintain the bond between mother and kittens. The pheromone has been shown to have this same bonding effect on adult cats living in a multi-cat household. It might be worth trying and can be purchased from most vets.

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  11. Another suggestion you might like to try...Most health food stores carry Walnut Noyer and Aspen Tremble (original flower remedies). 20 drops of each in a spray bottle of water and then spray the areas where they play, eat and sleep. This can be repeated every few days.

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    1. I've heard of Feliway but not these items. I will look into them.

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  12. Hi John, have been following you for a while but google kept me from commenting. Then all of a sudden my avatar came back and I can comment again—go figure. I must say that I’ve fallen in love with Raleigh. I think I have everyone beat. Between 2006 and 2008, I was taking care of 12 cats in my tiny 875 sq ft bungalow. All but my original 2 were neighborhood strays so most were outside during the day but I would bring them all in at night. I can remember going around from living room to tv room to bedroom counting to make sure everyone was in for the night.

    I’ve loved them all and except for some regular hissing by one of my original cats, Apu, everyone got along surprisingly well. I honestly talked to them each time I brought another one in telling them they were all once in his or her “shoes” and this was just the way it was going to be from now on. I’ve lost most now over 10 years due to illnesses and old age. Just put down my very first stray that I took in, in 2001 — Sweet Pea on Sept. 1. That was especially hard. Now have just Toby, who I took in in 2004 and Oliver from 2006. They both get along very well with other cats. I do wish I lived closer (I live in the Washington DC area). I wish the best for you and Raleigh and I can’t say enough about keeping a positive attitude and not worrying how they will all get along. They really do pick up on your feelings.

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    1. Thank you for reading my blog. You certainly had quite a crowd in your home; I don't know how you did it. I think the toughest part is just trying to give all of them the attention you know they deserve. I feel bad about not letting them know enough that they are loved.

      My best to Toby and Oliver, and Godspeed to Sweet Pea.

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  13. Your home is quite a place these days! Poor Raleigh is certainly seems to be an indoor cat and being lost outside much have been awful for him. A chair and a cat bed - the perfect home. I think you will need to discuss taking in these refugees with Cammie.

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  14. Aww Raleigh looks at home at your house, and even though I am sure it is a bit of a squeeze, he looks like he has found his perfect place. Please give him a pat from me.

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  15. I find it amusing that Raleigh seems so at home, while most of the others are upset at his presence. Hopefully he finds a forever home soon. or another foster option...otherwise I suspect he'll be staying with you. :)

    Eileen

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