Schroeder...is up for adoption again #112

Schroeder was one anxious kitty last night. He had the big dilated eyes that they get when they are nervous.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7766.jpg

He wanted out of the bedroom to explore what was on the other side of the door. So when Aroara when outside this morning, he was able to check things out.

He found the cat perch.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7774.jpg

And a bookcase.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7775.jpg

Then he found a place to hide right out in the open! It is so funny because Morgan always matched everything here. The carpet was gray. We just had some tan carpet put in a month or so ago along with this in front of the door.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7778.jpg

A close up.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7782.jpg

Another close up.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7787.jpg

And upside down.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7792.jpg

This is the end of the couch he sits on. Next to him you can probably see the furpile. That is Aroara's spot. Morgan was always on the other end.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7809.jpg

I know this one is a bit blurry, but I liked it.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7803.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7778.jpg

Catmoflage--you're doin' it right. :D

I think Schroeder approves of his new domain. What an expressive face he has!

my goodness is he ever handsome! Hope he fits in well and we can see lots of pictures of him in the future:love:

What a gorgeous guy! And already settling in, right at home.

How funny that he so well matches the entryway floor! The better to trip up burglars, :) He's a handsome guy, and it's great that he is settling in so quickly and so well!

:love: Well Hello there Schroeder.. Your so Handsome & Adorable.. Yup same color as the floor.. You looked to be settling in good..

Oh Moe, he's so handsome!! I'm glad that you decided to adopt him and take him into your home!

Welcome to your new home, Schroeder, and welcome to PT, we're going to be asking to see a lot of you!!!

Hi Schroeder and welcome to Pet Talk! You sure chose the very best Meowmie a handsome kitty like you could possibly have. You'll soon find out that you're in a great furever home filled with nothing but love and all the things a special guy like you could possibly want.

Concatulations Moesha! He is beautiful and looks like a real sweetheart. Could I ask you to give him a generous round of "welcome" lovies from me?

I loooooove the marbled pattern.. he´s so cute!!.. already made himself at home.. gorgeous boy

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/DSC_7787.jpg

Hello there, sweet boy Schroeder! Are you ever a handsome orangie! I love orangies! I like how you s-t-r-e-t-c-hed yourself out in the foyer - that makes me think you're gonna like your new home! MMmmmmmmwah!

I think you can see that he is nervous- but ready to settle at the same time:)
And of course I love the cat-mouflage picture. That is hilarious.

Schroeder you are just GORGEOUS - from every angle! :love:

He KNEW, didn't he, that he would blend into that floor?:eek::D

Looks like he's making himself "at home". That is a good sign.

You are one handsome dude, Schroeder!:love::love:

Thats great that Schroeder is really making himself at home!!:cool:
Not even Michael the DreamCat and Moquelito were that comfortable than quickly!!!:)
Of course My Orangies and All Of Our Owesome Orange Angels are happy that Schroeder has now found His Fuirrever Home.
And I agree that one with his paws in the air is a winner!
:love::love::love:
That should be Schroeders 2010 Pet Talker Photo!!
:love::love::love:

Schroeder, you are not just an orange bum, you are a big, beautiful, orange bum!:love:

Schroeder is so different than any other cat that I've been around. I've tried to give him toys to interest him. He hasn't shown any interest in any of them, the tunnel, the track with the ball, mice, balls with catnip, nothing. I'm going to try to get one of those fishing pole type toys tomorrow. He doesn't eat wet food. He will come running when I shake a bag of treats, but he hasn't eaten any of them when offered. I've tried 4 or 5 different brands and flavors. I'm at a loss. He seems to really want something, but nothing I have makes him happy. He is getting more used to it around here. Today I went in to his room and sat on the couch. He jumped up on it and came over to me for the first time. He walked across my lap a couple of times and actually started purring! Then he turned and bit my hand pretty hard. He didn't break the skin, but it did scrape some skin off.

I've been in contact with the rescue to see if I can get any information from a former owner about things that he likes or that would make him comfortable. The first owner, the one with cancer, hasn't returned the message that was left. Someone had him for a couple of weeks in August but had to return him because he was trying to dominate her cats. She loved him though. I have her phone number and will try calling tomorrow.

Aroara has hissed like crazy under the bathroom door. He hasn't shown aggression toward her, but he has growled at some of the other cats that are outside. Did I already post this? I know I typed it all out somewhere. Maybe it was in an e-mail. I put Aroara in the bedroom where he has been staying so she could smell him in there. I put the towel that he was on in the carrier under her food dish. She doesn't seem to notice anything with that. I am not sure he would like having a towel rubbed on him. He did not like it when I tried to use the lubglub. (A mitt used to help get loose fur off.)

I don't know what else to do to help him feel comfortable. I get really sad because it makes me miss Morgan even more sometimes. I'm trying to be patient. It kills me to think of him spending any more time in a cage where he is so unhappy. I'm hoping that he will get more comfortable and warm up to us. He hasn't really shown any signs of being the lap kitty that the rescue advertised him as. Any ideas?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moesha

I don't know what else to do to help him feel comfortable. I get really sad because it makes me miss Morgan even more sometimes. I'm trying to be patient. It kills me to think of him spending any more time in a cage where he is so unhappy. I'm hoping that he will get more comfortable and warm up to us. He hasn't really shown any signs of being the lap kitty that the rescue advertised him as. Any ideas?

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Time, just tincture of time. Our cat, Red, who looks very much like Schroeder, came to us from the woods. We have no idea of his history. He has been with us for 6 years now, and he still mystifies me at times.

Hopefully you can get some info from his last foster mom. Other than that - just love him and let him know he is safe with you. He will come around one day. Just imagine how you would react in his place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grace

Just imagine how you would react in his place.

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That's what I'm trying to do. He had a home for over two years. He has been back in the rescue since June. He was adopted but the returned after 2 weeks. (The rescue will give $75 off the $100 adoption fee if it doesn't work out and they are returned within two weeks.)

I specifically wanted to help an adult who had been returned where he'd had a home. I must say kittens are easier. They are more adaptable to the surroundings. They are more work in other ways though. I really want Schroeder to like it here and for us to have a connection, so that we can help each other.

How on earth did I miss this thread.:o Congrats!!! He's such a handsome boy.:) I'm sure he's still trying to settle in. I sure hope that everything will work out. I think you both need each other.:)

All of my cats are rescues, Storm and Sky were from the Humane Society and it took Sky about 1 year to really feel comfortable in his new home even though he's a very social cat. He was found as a stray and later adopted but then he was returned because the people said that their other cats started peeing outside of the box. He was about 1 year old when I adopted him.

Sunny was from a small rescue group and his foster mom moved around a lot so it also took him a good year to really feel comfortable and realize that he wouldn't be going any where else. He was 8 months old when I adopted him. Both Pearl and Ziggy were rescued by another PT'er, K & L, in Arizona. They were both young kittens when I adopted them. Pearl fit in easily but it's taken Ziggy 3 years to really feel comfortable and to feel like she's a part of the family. Now she even acts goofy and is so much more relaxed than she used to be. She even comes to me for pets and gives me headbutts.:)

Try not to rush things. Cats like to come to you on their own terms. I'm sure you already know this. I sure hope that things will work out. Good luck.:)

I agree with all the previous posts. Time. It will take time. Paizly took a couple days to even come up to us and let us really pet her. Even now she is very picky about when she receives petting. She is a lovebug in the morning, but try to pet her throughout the day and she'll slink off and not let you touch her.

Please don't feel bad that he is not all over you. He will be with time, I'm sure.

Don't want to sound like a "me, too" person but I do concur w/the others; it's going to take time. As long as you have the patience, I'm sure he'll come around. Keep the faythe. :love:

I always found that cutting a piece of meat off my plate workes wonders!!
And Thanks to eals on Wheels I can offer them something good every night.
I felt that way many times when a New Cat would race like the wind in terror at my approach, but time , love and TLC will win Schroeder over, and that will make you so happy!!:love::love::love:

I'm going to be a copy cat, too. Time. As far as the biting; Pinot took some time with that one as well. She still, to this day, puts her mouth down hard on my skin, but every time I look at her (and don't move my hand) and say GENTLE, GENTLE, firmly and she seems to respond better each time. If you move quickly they'll grab harder. You'll get there.:)

Since he spent some time in what he thought was his furever home then found himself back at the shelter, poor Schroeder might feel unsure of his new situation and afraid he might be sent back to the shelter again. It will take some love, patience, and time to reassure him that he's with you to stay. Like all kitties, Schroeder just wants to be loved and cared for but his recent experiences make him uncertain. Give him lots of attention, tell him how wonderful he is, and give him lovies on his terms for now. Follow Schroeder's pace and reassure him. This will work out.

I went to the Dollar Tree and bought a little fishing pole with a fish and a couple of ribbon type things on it. Schroeder has played a little with it! Finally something that he likes. AND...I bought a carpet thingie to hang on the door knob for him to use a scratching pad. It has little feathers at the top that he can play with. And I think they are used to encourage him to stretch up and then get the idea of scratching. It isn't exactly carpet, but it isn't the cardboard either. I know that carpet scratchers can confuse them, but I noticed that he liked a little cell phone holder that was hanging from the door. This was the only thing that was at WalMart that would hang from the door. So far he hasn't shown interest in scratching on any of the regular scratching areas. I have seen him try to scratch on the couch a time or two. Maybe this will help that also.

Moe,
something to help attract him to the hanging scratch thingy might be the catnip spray. Here in Richmond I can get it from Petsmart. I spray different cat things with it and they are all over whatever I just sprayed. That might spark his interest, too. Just a thought. Good luck to you both :love:

Amy

Thanks for that idea. I meant to rub it with some dried catnip. I don't have any spray, but I think I do have some dried in a bag. I offered him a puff ball with catnip and he showed no interest, but maybe it will help with the hangie thingie.

Have you tried just walking around with a long string after you? I have one with a mouse attached to it, but Fister is not interested in that, he wants the other end. Or he might think a laser pointer is fun. Careful not to point on his eyes, though.

Perhaps Schroeder just needs some time to get familiar with his new home. :)

Kisses and purrs from us. :love:

Don't loose faith I resently adopted a little snowshoe girl named Nikki and she is very fearful of me and my husband she has been with us now for 3 or 4 weeks and she still won't come to us. I think she wants to but she is really scared.

My experience with orange boys is great they really are the best lovers.He will come around. Being his backround is pretty tramatic he might need a few weeks to realize he isn't going anywhere. Congrats and I promise you will have a great kitty on your hands. Its really hard to lose a really good friend...And get a non-lover...I too know what you are feeling. But I since Nikki is just a little bit skiddish I can't wait till she wants to come to us.. Its so hard to wait. But well worth the time needed. Best of luck he is wonderful!

A prayer and a candle for Schroeder.

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...ng&cid=9436141

Thanks for the candle.

We had some progress today. Schroeder came over when I woke up this morning and walked on me, ending by standing on my chest. He was purring and even sat down briefly once. I kept waiting for him to turn around and bite my face, but he didn't.

He's let me carry him across the length of the house also.

BUT...he saw Aroara today and that did not go well at all. I had her in the bathroom. I took her out and was holding her. She was hissing at him, but he was ignoring her mostly. I put Aroara down, and she walked away from him. My sister was over visiting and was inside while I stepped outside for just 30 seconds. Aroara came over to the door. Schroeder came sneaking up behind her. When I came in, Schroeder went after Aroara. There was hissing and screeching and running. My sister and I broke them up. I thought Schroeder had run back into his room. I went in there to find him and then my sister said he was in the living room. He went after Aroara again this time behind the couch. I finally got him to go into his room. By then Aroara was so mad she demanded to go outside. I wasn't sure she would come back in tonight. But I just got her back inside. I just don't know if this is going to work out. It kills me to think of him going back and having to live in the cage at PetSmart. He hates that, and he is just getting used to living here.

I also bought him a fishing pole toy that he does enjoy. But he gets worked up playing with that and then he gets worked up when dealing with people. He tries to bite and attack with his claws. He plays rough.

I have read things, but maybe not as clearly as I could. I just want to echo again what others have said, but, maybe more strongly. Please be patient with the introductions of two adult cats. The longer the time you can acclimate them to the house- separately, the better off the chances of a smooth transition. Cats are funny. I could not imagine introducing two adult cats to one another in less than a month. Bad first impressions can be lasting impressions. Don't rush it. Kittens- easy peasy. Cats- not so much.

I would get some phernome (sic) plug ins and put them in each room the cats are confined to. I swear by this stuff.

And, lots of extra loves to Aurora, so that she knows she is not being displaced.

Good luck, orangies are so special.

I found treats that he likes! I bought soft Whisker Lickin's. The only flavor they had was chicken and cheese. I opened them, and he came running as usual. Except this time instead of just looking at it and walking away, he ate them! Now I have two things to use to entertain him, the fishing pole and the treats.

Do you know my Edwina and Eddie?

Edwina came to live with us from a shelter. We adored her, pampered her. She was (and still is!) very, very spoiled. And an only cat for a few years.

And then one day a PetTalker asked if we could take in Eddie for a weekend. Oh how we worried! But we took him in. He lived in the basement. He would not come out for ...gosh weeks I think? We would go to the basement and read the paper or just talk. And we would talk to him, even if we could not see him. (Of course...that has been a very long weekend....:rolleyes:)

My niece was also living in the basement while attending college. Eddie started to come out and be with her.

Meanwhile, Edwina -- at the top of the stairs - "what is that noise? There cannot possibly be another cat in my house!"

Until one day Eddie ventured upstairs. He never really went back down to live.

Edwina keeps him in line. She never lets him forget who is the boss.

They moved across the country together in the back of the car.

I don't think they will ever cuddle. But I just went upstairs and they are both on the bed.

They are usually in - at least - the same room. She bites his butt, she slaps his face, she chases him. Sometimes he chases her.

She is a lap cat. He wants to but just can't (because she wouldn't approve? I am not sure.) But today, a guy was here installing my new computer and it was Eddie who insisted on meeting him.

Here is Eddie's first diary diary of Eduardo and his second second diary and it went on.

It takes time but it was oh so worth it.

And I think both Edwina and Eddie would agree!:D:D

Moe,
How's it going w/ Schroeder? Are you still using Paw Points?

I'll answer the easy part first. Yes, I still use paw points! :D

Now for the Schroeder question. That is more complicated. He is definitely getting used to the house. I found the treats he likes. He will play with his fishing pole. I've seen him play with a hair tie and a ball with a little bell in it. He doesn't play with them for very long, but he does play with them some. He's raced through the house a few times. The noises don't startle him. He's adapted that much.

He has slept next to me or on me a couple of times during the night. He follows me around the house. He doesn't really like to be petted. He will let me bend down and rub him a time or two, but he has never come and sat next to me and let me pet him. If he is on the couch or something, I can sometimes go over to him and pet his head briefly. He is a biter! :eek: He bites hard too. I'm not sure if he is trying to play or if he is trying to be mean. I'm thinking it is more a leave me alone kind of bite. But sometimes I am in bed and he jumps up on me and bites. I haven't been doing anything at those times. I'm always trying to talk to him in a calm, nice voice. Trying to encourage his friendship. Honestly, I'm feeling as lonely or maybe even more so than before I brought him home.

I have not let him and Aroara interact with each other again. She has seen him under the door and has growled and hissed at him. Still he doesn't show any aggression toward her while she is doing that.

Earlier tonight I talked to the lady that had adopted him and then had to return him because he didn't get along with her cats. She said he would come and sit in her lap while she watched tv and let her pet him. She said that he would bite her too. But she liked that about his personality. She loved that he was so different and knew what he liked and didn't like and let her know. It scares me.

Then she told me about the problems he had with her cats. This was the reason she had to return him. He bullied them and kept them under the beds. If they tried to come out, he attacked them. She said she tried feliaway plug-ins and didn't notice any difference in the behavior. She said that what finally caused her to give him back to the rescue was that he attacked one of her cats so badly that she had to take her to the vet for stitches. That is what I am afraid that will happen here with Aroara. Or if one of the other cats comes inside, which they periodically do. She had him for 2 months and really loved him but just couldn't do that to her other kitties.

I have to be so meticulous about everything all day long to make sure he doesn't come in contact with any of the others. I am afraid that I won't be able to take any vacations because of the trouble it causes to have him kept away from the other cats. My nieces and nephew come over, and they are all under 10. You can try to tell them what has to happen, but those kitties outside are pretty swift. They race inside before you know it, especially if you aren't paying close attention. They do it often when adults come in and even more when the kids are here. So far I've managed to keep it from happening when Schroeder has been lose, but I can imagine in my mind the disaster that will occur when one sneaks in the door and he isn't confined.

I don't want to have to return him. I want to give him a loving home, but I honestly don't know if my home is the right one for him. After talking with his former mommy, I am more convinced that he needs to be in a one cat home. The thought of taking him back to Petsmart and the rescue breaks my heart, but honestly I don't know what else to do. I'd thought of trying the plug-ins but really don't see the use in that since she had already tried them.

So that's where things stand here. If anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to give them. I've heard all the "be patient" suggestions and am trying them. But perhaps you can see the other side of things with this update from his former adopter. I hate the thought of failing him. But I do have other things to take into consideration as well.

ETA: We're both redheads, maybe that's our problem! hehe
This weekend I went to my friend's house. She has kitties that come over and would let you pet them all day. That really made me miss having my Morgan around.

But I'd rather be able to go back letting everyone else have their normal lives than take any chances of them getting attacked or making them stay outside all the time.

Having Schroeder here has helped me deal with Morgan's loss, but not in the way I expected.

Where did Schroeder live before his first family, Moesha? Was he an outdoor boy?

My brother's family cat, Milo, is a biter. It goes petting -> tummy rubs -> biting. He also nips me when I try too hard to love on him. He will decide whose lap he sits on (or, more often, who he sits next to) and for how long. I wonder if, when he jumps up and bites you, if he wants to get your attention for something?

Prayers that all will be well for you, Schroeder, and your other kitties. He sure is handsome.

I don't know many specifics about him. The best that I can get from the rescue is that they think they had him as a kitten and had him fixed. He was placed in a home where he stayed for over two years until that owner got cancer and couldn't take care of him anymore. He was returned to the rescue. They haven't been able to tell me anything about his life during that time. I think he was turned returned in June. He stayed at this other place for a couple of months, mid July until September. He's been here for 2 weeks.

I am really trying hard to get him to adjust. I could probably deal with the biting and maybe even work with him on it, but the fighting with the other cats really scares me.

I am going to try putting him in the carrier and putting that in the middle of the family room while Aroara is inside. I'll see what happens from there and post it here later.

It feels as though you are living in the middle of a demilitarized zone, doesn’t it?

Many years ago we took in a stray who turned out to be an alpha male. Problem was we already had one of those. The new one, Phantom, got along fine with our 2 girl cats, but it just didn’t work out with the other male.

We tried for 3 months – then we found him a home where he was the only cat. He thrived, and calm was restored to our house.

It broke my heart – I felt like an abject failure. You have to think about Aroara and your own peace of mind.

We will support whatever decision you make :love: :love: :love: