Monday

[susandennis]

Today is my last Mariner game for until August 23rd. Twitter has its panties in a wad over the three losses this weekend. It's like it's the first time the Mariners have ever lost. Pretty hilarious. Tonight's game will be fun regardless.

Today will be staying in the cool. And maybe some online cat shopping. I'd forgotten how weird trying to adopt is. "PLEASE take our cats!!" But wait! They will be indoor only cats, right? Do you have small children who will pull their tails? Fill out this 400 page survey about you and your house and your history. Oh and we're a rescue so that will be $500 to start, please. The one you picked out is in Texas so that will be another $500 for the airfare.

I get it, but it's tedious. Fortunately we do have a couple of shelters and one of those is really large and good. It's where I got Biggie and The Smalls originally. Things have changed substantially since COVID but it appears I can still go there and meet cats noon-6 every day but Monday. And probably that's what I'll do.

Leah the cat whisperer says yes and any gender will do and kitten or teenager would be best. And she'll be on hand to help.

So that's the plan. With a tiny wrinkle. There is a Home to Home option through the Seattle Humane Society and there is a kitten there... Inquiry sent. Stay tuned.

I need to go make up my bed and tidy up the house and clean out the litter box and pick out tonight's Mariner shirt and charge up the scooter. So busy busy :)

Comments

[halfmoon_mollie1]

I have a question, and please don't think I'm trying to tell you anything. Biggie's been an only for a while now and is used to having you all to himself. I also know Leah knows her business, but aren't you a little bit leery that Biggie might not WANT to have a sibling? Really, just a question.

[susandennis]

of course i am.

[halfmoon_mollie1]

That was a really dumb question. I apologize. And I hope everything works out.

[susandennis]

no prob and thanks!

[sweetmeow]

I have always felt that cats do better when they live with one of their own species -- a feline companion. First, we had littermates Phantom and Shadow then littermates, Felix and Misty. There were a few remaining years when one cat was alone after the first died, and I could tell they missed their sibling buddy. I especially notice it now with Misty after recently losing Felix - she's actually distraught!

I have not mentioned to Ray about getting a second cat for Misty (he'd probably nix it), but I've quietly thought about it. However, Misty is 12 years old now and probably not as flexible about getting along with a second cat as Biggie probably is. I guess I dread if it DIDN'T work and made everything worse. I'd go for it, especially since you're working with Leah who can help you with the transition period.

[seattlejo]

Was the airfare a real thing? Cuz Damn.

If I recall Biggie had a positive FIV result, does he need a mate who is also FIV+?
And i may be remembering wrong, maybe it was something else.

[susandennis]

yup real thing - vet thinks the positive was false. he's tested negative several times since and been vaccinated so not an issue. whew.

[susandennis]

but, i did send an email to the vet just to make sure it was safe.

[seattlejo]

Blows me away that the airfare was a real thing. And good on the FIV+ that makes your pool for picking kitties bigger.

Seattle Humane was the easiest for us with dogs. Rescues wanted our money, but not to let us have a dog.

[sherlockishere]

FWIW, my previous black cat (Gadget, 15 years or so ago) loved it when I got a kitten for him. To my surprise, he turned out to be an excellent mother surrogate. I wish you the best of luck!

[susandennis]

it's actually worth a lot and delightful to hear. thank you!

[sherlockishere]

I honestly think the trick is to adopt a kitten (if you can bear it!). I suspect that black cats are a bit bossier than other cats, so that they actually like having a kitten around to whom they can teach the ropes.

[sleepybadger]

ooooo exciting!!!

[msconduct]

Super exciting getting a new fluff! I am crossing everything that Biggie takes to them and that they behave together like all those adorable cat videos on Reddit.

[msconduct]

As it happens I just started a book about making your cat happy after reading your post. No doubt Leah will give you these tips anyway, but in case they're helpful: they recommended introducing the cats to each other very slowly, ie keeping them in separate rooms at first and just showing one cat's bedding to the other one and letting them sniff it as a first step. That's a lot slower than I would have thought of doing it. They also recommended Feliway Multicat (also known as Feliway Friends).

[mdlbear]

Most of ours came from Cat City on Roosevelt Way.

[susandennis]

Good tip. Thanks

[adafrog]

Good luck!

[seasonedrite]

This is exciting news (a sibling for Biggie). I'm looking forward to pics when it happens!

Also, I'm sure it will be fine, if not right away then eventually. They get used to each other. I've never had to surrender a cat because they don't get along, but Lilibet is really testing that. I hope that as she ages she'll become less of a bully to the cat who lets her bully her (Patches).