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Thread: Introducing Freddie Peace *Happy update*

  1. #1

    Introducing Freddie Peace *Happy update*

    Kyubey has been struggling with separation anxiety when my hubby is not around. Since hubby is hunting for a job, we decided that we needed a friend-cat NOW, before Kyubey has to learn to adjust to a new schedule. I was dearly hoping that my foster Celeste would work out well and be a keeper, but it became clear pretty quickly that our household was totally overwhelming for her. Over the five weeks I had her, she got progressively MORE upset by the comings and goings in the household, not less. Luckily the no-kill shelter I was fostering through is well aware of that and will find her a good, quiet home.

    That left me still looking for a friend for Kyubey. I also hoped to find a cat who would bond to me as solidly as Kyubey has bonded to my hubby. Those two are inseparable...and while I know Kyubey loves me, if hubby is in the room I might as well not exist!! I have always known that the next time I got to choose a cat (as opposed to the cat choosing me) I would want to look for a black cat.

    So I hit petfinder looking for a sociable black cat who might fit in well. I Somehow missed Freddie in my initial searches, but once I read his bio I couldn't stop coming back to look at him. His foster mom described him as being always underfoot and involved in everything she did. She said that she named him Freddie because she had to dance like Fred Astaire to keep from tripping over him because he's always underfoot.

    After exchanging a few emails with his foster mom, there was no question in my head that he was exactly the kitty I was hoping for, so he came for a home visit. Freddie has an endearing habit of hiding beneath things when he's nervous. He spent the first hour of his home visit firmly planted beneath a pillow, but he did eventually venture out and heatbutt my face. In that moment, I was his.

    Freddie spent FOUR YEARS in foster care because he is a black cat, and because he gets nervous at pet fairs and hides beneath his blanket. I'm sorry he had to wait so long, but delighted to welcome him home.

    Freddie came home for good a few days ago. He is living in the spare room to start with, and Kyubey has been coming in for short visits. They seem to like each other; they take turns following each other around the room and they touch noses. The only hiss so far happened when Kyubey startled Freddie while Freddie was in the litterbox. Otherwise, Freddie is eating, drinking, playing, scratching, and only hiding a little bit...not bad for his second day home!

    The final hurdle will be introducing Freddie to Jasper, which I am going to take S L O W L Y. Once Freddie is ready to be out in the rest of the house, I will start taking Jasper to work so Freddie can explore undisturbed during the day.

    I know everyone is waiting for pictures, but I suck at taking pictures of black cats apparently...here's my best shot so far!
    Last edited by snakemama; 09-01-2013 at 08:16 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    North Carolina, USA
    Posts
    3,617
    Oh My! Freddie must think he is in heaven in his new home. What a good thing you did to adopt him. It sounds as if he is a sweet boy. I hope it works out good with Jasper. Keep showing in pictures, ok? I filled light your pic & then tried to upload it but alas my ^%$ computer wouldn't do it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
    Posts
    20,164
    Oh, beautiful Freddie Peace, welcome HOME!!! What a wonderful story! We can't wait to hear more as you settle in.

    I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"
    Death thought about it.
    CATS, he said eventually. CATS ARE NICE.

    -- Terry Pratchett (1948—2015), Sourcery

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Litter Box, Greenville, SC
    Posts
    5,307
    Welcome to PT Freddie!
    Anne
    Meowmie to Lucy Lou and Barney, and Aunt to Timmy (RIP)

    Former kitties now in foster care: Nellie aka Eleanor van Fluffytail (at a Cat Cafe), Lady Jane Grey, Bob the Bobtail, and Callie. Kimi has been adopted into another family that understands Siamese. HRH Oliver Woodrow von Katz is in a Sanctuary.

    I'm Homeless, but with resources, and learning to live again.


    RIP Timmy (nephew kitty) May 17, 2018, Mr. Spunky (May 10, 2017), Samwise (Dec 2, 2014), Emily (Oct 8, 2013), Rose (Sept 24, 2001), Maggie (Fall 2003)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Los Angeles, Ca
    Posts
    4,265
    Freddie, my man, you hit the proverbial jackpot here. Not only did you get adopted, you now live in a PT home, the best there is for a kitty! Congratulations are in order. Oh, a great big THANK YOU! to your meowmie for adopting you. You are a handsome devil for sure!
    Proud to be a crazy cat lady!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
    Posts
    40,828
    Lots of light = the key to taking good black cat - or dog - pictures!
    I've Been Frosted

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    22,005
    Hello, handsome boy! In foster care for FOUR years??? So many people missed out on your wonderful self - but now you are where you're meant to be, in a PT home!
    "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda

  8. #8
    Thank you everyone! I'm sitting in 'our' room with my laptop, just had some MAJOR lovin' from Freddie, then he decided he needed a snack!! Now he's in his spot under the desk, which is where he seems to go when he needs a few minutes to unwind.

    I do have a question. (I already emailed his foster mom and I'll ring the vet tomorrow, but I thought I'd ask here too) Freddie drinks and pees a LOT. Normally I'd be alarmed and concerned for his kidneys, but I'm wondering if it might just be a side effect of the new home and a change in his diet. At what point should he be seen? Do I take him in ASAP or give him a few days?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Illinois, USA
    Posts
    28,379
    Hello, beautiful blackie Freddie! I am sure loads of good luck will come my way because you've crossed my path! How wonderful that you came out from under the pillow, gave your new meowmy a head-butt to let her know she was yours! And now you are off to a pretty good start with Kyubey too! Paws and fingers crossed that the introductions will continue to go well! I am sending some of these for you, Kyubey and Jasper: *gentle little kisses*!
    Praying for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and around the world.

    I've been Boo'd ... right off the stage!

    Aaahh, I have been defrosted! Thank you, Bonny and Asiel!
    Brrrr, I've been Frosted! Thank you, Asiel and Pomtzu!


    "That's the power of kittens (and puppies too, of course): They can reduce us to quivering masses of Jell-O in about two seconds flat and make us like it. Good thing they don't have opposable thumbs or they'd surely have taken over the world by now." -- Paul Lukas

    "We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays." -- Persius, first century Roman poet

    Cassie's Catster page: http://www.catster.com/cats/448678

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    22,005
    See what his foster mom says - she might be used to it after 4 years so didn't really notice a gradual increase. See what the vet says too. Wouldn't hurt for him to have a wee checkup anyway. Hope it's nothing serious, if it's anything at all.
    "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Copenhagen, Denmark - GMT+1
    Posts
    15,952
    Freddie looks like a gorgeous boy! I'm glad he's ended up in a loving PT-home. It sounds like he's doing very well, already.

    See if you can measure out how much he drinks and then ask the vet if that is normal.



    "I don't know which weapons will be used in the third World war, but in the fourth, it will be sticks and stones" --- Albert Einstein.


  12. #12
    Freddie's foster mom said that since he has always been part of a 'herd' it wasn't possible to monitor his ins and outs. I spent all yesterday and today pondering the situation, and decided to just have him looked at. So this evening he'll be going in for an exam and bloodwork, which is probably a good idea regardless.

    I'm a little bummed, I'm worried that taking him to the vet is going to ruin the trust we've built up so quickly. I only hope he gets over it fast, I've fallen hard for my ebony baby.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    22,005
    He sounds like a loving kitty. He'll love you anyway.

    I pray that everything turns out ok at the vets.
    "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda

  14. #14
    Bad news from the vet, three pieces of it...

    1) Freddie has a grade 2 heart murmur.

    2) Freddie has such bad gingivitis that my vet is concerned that he may have stomatitis. His mouth is NASTY.

    3) The vet does suspect a third underlying problem because his bladder was FULL of VERY dilute urine.

    We pulled blood and urine, and the results should be back no later than Tuesday(Darn holiday weekend!!). I'll keep everyone here up to date.

    I have to say that I'm crushed. I am not the type to shy away from vet bills, but it's looking like it'll be over $1,000 just to get him healthy, and then if he DOES have stomatitis or renal failure, we could be dealing with it for the rest of his life. I'm really afraid of what the bloodwork is going to show. I've been crying off and on since I got home, though Freddie doesn't seem worried: he's got a plate of wet food that he is plowing through quite happily. Part of me says...he's only been here a few days, these problems existed before I got him, send him back....but the other part of me loves him already and knows that his odds of getting adopted again with all of these health issues are slim.

    The current plan is to wait on the bloodwork...if the bloodwork is good we'll do a chest X-ray to make certain that he's healthy enough to be anesthetized even with the heart murmur. If he is, we take care of the teeth and go from there.

    Now I'm crying again because he won't come near me anymore and I don't know what to do. I think I'm going to go out for ice cream now.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Illinois, USA
    Posts
    28,379
    ((((SNAKEMAMA and FREDDIE)))) I will go light a candle for your sweet boy right now.

    Edited to add candle: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...g&cid=19240164
    Last edited by cassiesmom; 08-30-2013 at 08:46 PM. Reason: add candle
    Praying for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and around the world.

    I've been Boo'd ... right off the stage!

    Aaahh, I have been defrosted! Thank you, Bonny and Asiel!
    Brrrr, I've been Frosted! Thank you, Asiel and Pomtzu!


    "That's the power of kittens (and puppies too, of course): They can reduce us to quivering masses of Jell-O in about two seconds flat and make us like it. Good thing they don't have opposable thumbs or they'd surely have taken over the world by now." -- Paul Lukas

    "We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays." -- Persius, first century Roman poet

    Cassie's Catster page: http://www.catster.com/cats/448678

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