Rescue ATTACKED Schuyler

[AvaJoy]

I had trapped a white cat with gold eyes that I named Moonglow, intending him to be simply a TNR, but he seemed so docile and tame because he let me pet him and liked to roll over to show his belly, etc. He had been coming around for dinner every night for some time.

When I dropped him off for neutering, I had the vet do a FeLV test (to the tune of $30.00) because I was thinking he might make a fine addition to the household. It was negative so when I picked him up I kept him in one of my cages in the basement to recuperate. He seemed very sweet and as he felt better, I began bringing him up every evening for a while to explore the house and get used to the other cats, etc. under my supervision. He loved to play and didn't show any aggression toward the girls, but he began to challenge Schuyler, crouching and growling. Schuy couldn't care less about this upstart, and to make a long story short, one night Moonglow kept on following Schuy (as he would simply walk away from such nonsense) and then POUNCED UPON SCHUYLER!!! Before I knew it, they were entangled and tufts of white fur floated everywhere! My husband grabbed Schuy to get him out of harm's way from the tussle, and Moonglow ran under the bed. Eventually he came out and was ushered outside. I checked Schuy from massive head to toe, and he suffered no abrasions.

I suppose if I had more experience with this, I would chalk it up to the two boys working out their dominance issues and maybe that would be the one and only time they would mix it up. But, I am way too fond (and probably over-protective) of Schuyler to expose him to a young wipper-snapper who possibly could continue with such aggression, thereby making Schuyler's life miserable.

As it stands now, Moonglow comes every night, rubbing against the screen door as he did before. I am tempted to let him in again, just to see if maybe he has mellowed now that all that testosterone is gone. Schuy and he get along with the screen door between them just fine. I don't know what to do, but my husband wants Moonglow kept outsisde, period. He is very protective of our cats' welfare, too. Maybe if I had HIM neutered . . . . !

Here is a link to picture of Moonglow after being put back outside. It looks like he is begging to be re-admitted, doesn't it? I tried my darndest to get the photo to appear within this post, but I give up! I've done it before, so don't know what the problem is now. Must be brain-fade! He is much smaller than Schuyler, but I wondered if they could be brothers, or maybe Schuyler is his Dad. Guess I'll never know if there is any relation. Moonglow certainly doesn't share Schuyler's easy-going personality, that's for sure.

Moonglow

[Logan]

Gosh, Avajoy, if only pictures told the whole story! He looks so calm and happy, doesn't he? I hope you can watch him for a while and maybe try to trust him for "supervised" visits inside. I don't blame you and your husband for being protective of your own though. I have gone through this a couple of times with Mimi and other cats too....she is definitely one of those "one cat" cats. She has hissed and swatted at Butter for over three years now......I guess it is what it is. I will say that she is the only one who can get him to back down!! LOL!!

Logan

[rosethecopycat]

Well,

My fosters (sisters) had one giant fight and that was it.

I kept them apart for two weeks and then gently reintroduced them. For the girls I think it was a territorial issue. I thought they were bonded and they were not.
They were just sticking close together because they were scared.

Alone in a room together, trying to figure out who goes where, they had a knock down, drag out. But no one was injured.

Was Moonglow recently neutered? It takes a full three weeks for the testosterone to dissapate.


I'd give it one more try, after a couple weeks, but have the squirt gun and broom ready.

This is only my personal opinion, I am not a professional.

Rose

[PayItForward]

I agree that it is worth re-intoducing them slowly and trying again.

http://www.piftails.com/main/article...ingnewcat.html

But if you can't keep him, what about a non-kill shelter or finding him a home yourself.

TNR is fine for the wild kitties but wouldn't it be wonderful if he could have a home.

BTW my vet says it takes 6 months are neutering for all male hormones to work out of his system.

Good Luck whatever you decide.

[Fallon]

meeeeow

[AvaJoy]

I'm all for bringing Moonglow inside for another try, as he and Schuyler are placid as can be with nothing but the screen door between them, which makes me think maybe they have worked their differences out in that one skirmish. Moonglow is a sweet boy, following me around as I do yard work, and is obviously used to people.

I can only hope he stays away from the road and is safe. I put a collar on him. He comes every evening for dinner, and so does Jette the big black guy with a white chest spot that is also a TNR from long ago but he won't allow human touch. Jette does not appear until dusk.

They didn't hit it off at first, but now eat simultaneously from a big paper plate and it is so nice to watch them get along OK and share the food. Jette is getting more used to me, and will roll over to show his belly (from a safe distance) and I even reached out and touched his velvet coat (twice on two different occasions) as he came within arm's reach to eat, but he skittered away quickly both times. The hungry boy came back staightaway, though! Progress!