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| Title: | Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected |
| Notice: | purrrrr... |
| Moderator: | JULIET::CORDES_JA |
|
| Created: | Wed Nov 13 1991 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 1079 |
| Total number of notes: | 28858 |
899.0. "Foster parents for Oscar" by AKOCOA::NELSON () Tue Jun 20 1995 09:17
We have become foster parents to yet another cat --Oscar, who belonged
to my husband's youngest brother, who died in a traffic accident last
week.
As wretched as all of us feel, we're also trying to think of Oscar's
needs and help him to adjust to our home. So far, so good, in many
ways. Alec trained Oscar well, i.e., he uses a scratching box, not
the furniture; he's very clean; well-fed and basically well-adjusted
in general. However, we have kids, whereas Alec lived alone. Oscar
lived in a one-bedroom apartment; we have a whole house for him to
roam in. Oscar likes to sit in our windows and watch the world go by.
Not a problem when he lived with Alec, since Alec didn't have curtains,
but we do have curtains, and this morning, one of the dining room
curtains got ripped. I am pretty sure it was an accident -- probably
one of Oscar's claws got stuck and he pulled to get free. The curtains
are 5+ years old, so the material is probably on its last legs. I
didn't scold Oscar per se, but I did let him know that he should have
meowed for help!
Anyway, has anyone out there ever acquired a kitty in such a way, and
are there any general ways we can help Oscar adjust to his new life?
I play with him a little bit every day, and the kids are being very
sweet and gentle with him. How long does it take a kitty to adjust to
a new situation?
Thanks,
Kate
| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 899.1 | You shouldn't have a problem | LJSRV1::MARX | | Tue Jun 20 1995 10:09 | 21 |
| I didn't acquire a kitty the same way you did, but I did rescue a
beautiful little long-haired black w/white female who was dumped in the
middle of town in traffic, freezing cold and a snow storm. At home I
already had 6 very pampered, territorial females. I was concerned
about how they felt but everyone made the adjustment. Like yourself, I
was fortunate to get a very clean and well adjusted cat (I don't know
why someone would just throw her away). It took a little time, but she
adjusted to my routine and the other cats eventually accepted her -
some have even bonded.
I think you'll find that Oscar will settle in just fine. You might
want to blunt his claws. I keep a pair of baby fingernail clippers
with me and clip the claws of whomever had decided to sit on me!
It sounds like you're on your way to an easy transition with Oscar.
Sorry about your loss.
Regards,
Donna
|
| 899.2 | Time is Relevant | MKOTS3::OFFEN | | Tue Jun 20 1995 10:25 | 11 |
| I'm also very sorry about your loss. Oscar seems to have found a good
home out of this tragedy. I have 7 cats and all of them have been
brought in as an addition to the family. 3 of them were brought in as
abandoned adults and the adjustments each took time. They had to learn
my routines and rules as well as what the other kittys would tolerate.
I have also fostered adult cats until I found a home for them and they
did fine too. Maybe those soft-paws I have heard about, but never
used, might work until Oscar learns the *No's* of the house.
Sandi (mom to all the cats in the neighborhood)
|
| 899.3 | | PADC::KOLLING | Karen | Tue Jun 20 1995 10:55 | 6 |
| I'm sorry about your loss. How fortunate for Oscar to have found a
loving home. My cats like to sit behind the drapes and look out at the
universe also. I have gotten into the habit of having the edges of the
drapes and window shades a bit "ajar" so they can get in there easily
at the drapes that they seem to favor.
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