A cat behaviorist is coming out to the house!

[Steffi N]

I hope the behaviorist is able to help remedy your situation with Ti and Miley. The poor girl just seems so anxious and depressed.
Paws and fingers crossed.

[ScantyNebula]

ohh sas I really hope this works for you!!!

[Pam]

Originally posted by sasvermont
These three should drive the behaviorist nuts for sure.

Right now Ti is howling, sitting outside the computer room screened in door, wanting in...... How lovely. I hope he does this when Lisa, the behaviorist is here!......

I hope you still have some more wine left in that bottle that you bought recently. It sounds like you might want to pour a couple of glasses at the end of the session.

[shais_mom]

Good luck!

[Vio&Juni]

That's good! I liked to watch on Animal Planet the show with the dog behaviorist. They can actually see the problem immediately and the solution too. Let's hope she'll help poor Miley and Ti.

[sasvermont]

Last night I dragged poor Miley out from under a pile of sweaters and made her face Juni and me. She was ok with it for awhile but soon retreated when she heard "you know who" outside the door. I feel really guilty having left Ti open that door the other day. If I had put that lock on it when I was planning to, we wouldn't be in the situation right now. On the other hand, I would never have called a behaviorist in either, if it hadn't happened again!

Once Juni and I got comfortable, Miley climbed into bed too and snuggled near my arms and put her sad little head in my hand. Juni was on one side of my one arm and Miley was on the other. My heart melted. I didn't sleep much, trying to stay still so Miley wouldn't feel the need to leave and hide. She must have been so horrified that day (Monday) doing the fight thing with Ti on the futon!

This morning when I awoke, still in the same statue like position, both kitty cats were cuddled up, sleeping. Miley followed me into the bathroom, only to have Juni right on her tail! She didn't seem to mind. Progress.

I left Miley behind closed and locked doors for safety reasons and allowed Ms. Juni Rose to play with her big bro, Ti. I hope Miley regains some of her oh so needed confidence, soon!

SAS

[HayleyRosie]

Sounds like you had a great night. I hope the behaviorist is able to bring peace to your three kitties.

[Pam]

Originally posted by sasvermont

Once Juni and I got comfortable, Miley climbed into bed too and snuggled near my arms and put her sad little head in my hand. Juni was on one side of my one arm and Miley was on the other. My heart melted. I didn't sleep much, trying to stay still so Miley wouldn't feel the need to leave and hide.

Sallyanne, I can picture that so well in my mind with Miley and her "sad little head" in your hands. Oh I do hope she can overcome the events of this past Monday. I am sure she will with the love and reassurance of her Mommy!

I think you can tell an animal lover when you see one without even seeing the animal. They are the ones who have spent the night in one rigid position so as to not disturb the furry one on the bed, as you have described, and they are the ones walking all crooked and kinked! LOL!

Oh I just love little Miley so and hope that she can relax and heal.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by sasvermont
I hope Miley regains some of her oh so needed confidence, soon!

It sounds like she might have already started getting her confidence back as she did not mind Juni's playing ("only to have Juni right on her tail!")

I just can't imagine how scared she must be of Ti. And it's one thing for her to be aloof and hiss at him like she did at first, but to be so terrified that she cowers at the mere sound of him is certainly not good. Poor Miley girl. But it sounds like she's coming around again and will be closer to her old self by the time the behaviourist shows up. I'm so hoping the behaviorist can figure out what's going on and bring about some changes....but I know you're hoping that more than anyone.

I'm glad you had a good night with Miley girl. Hopefully things are all uphill from here on.

[lbaker]

Pam, you said that so well about "how to recognize an animal lover" beautiful
Laurie

[AmberLee]

Originally posted by rosethecopycat
...Sounds like they wish to be thorough. Can you tape record her visit? (like at a doctors?) It can free up your mind from having to keep notes.

Everything's crossed here!

Wow, just what I wanted to suggest. Can you ask in advance to tape it? I know my memory's not that great any more, and especially when I'm emotionally involved...

Maybe you could even tape Ti and/or Miley between now and the 7th...

Good luck! Fingers and paws crossed here.

[sasvermont]

I stopped at the post office this morning, and sure enough, there was the questionaire. I haven't opened it, as I am taking 1/2 vacation this afternoon and will read it then.

I will tape Ti's very annoying howling that he does when he doesn't get his way. It is usually when he is waiting by a closed door! Ahem. It is enough to drive you crazy so I can see why Miley gets so un-nerved by his being in the house!

You know, this morning, while playing with Juni and petting poor Ms. Miley, I was thinking that maybe Ti belongs in another house, with other pets. I will certainly give him the benefit of the doubt, but I won't put any money on the behaviorist! I surely hope it works, but Ti is a Bengal and they are quite stubborn!

I will let you know what kind of questions I will need to answer before their visit.

I am hoping that whatever information I can gather, I will share it with all of you and help everyone/anyone who wants to listen!

I am thinking about taping the meeting with the behaviorist, at least the part that I participate in. I suspect she will play with the cats too!

Later - busy day ahead of me.

SAS

[lailamara]

Originally posted by sasvermont

I will tape Ti's very annoying howling that he does when he doesn't get his way. It is usually when he is waiting by a closed door! Ahem. It is enough to drive you crazy so I can see why Miley gets so un-nerved by his being in the house!
SAS

I've noticed that my Abys, past and present, although very active and rambunctious, are vocally quiet cats. They even fight (which they have been doing of late) quietly. You hear the bodies thunking on the floor as they roll around, but rarely are there any yowls, yells or squawks. I've never heard them howl. Bodhi usually communicates with little chirps. Maya meows assertively. I immediatlely respond so as not to annoy my little dictator.

They also don't like noise. We have had a major renovation next door in our semi detached house since November and it's been very, very noisy as they gutted the house. The cats have become very jumpy and I've just about had it too with all the banging and sawing...argh.

Waiting for your update. Poor Miley, poor Ti.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by sasvermont
I am hoping that whatever information I can gather, I will share it with all of you and help everyone/anyone who wants to listen!

I am thinking about taping the meeting with the behaviorist, at least the part that I participate in. I suspect she will play with the cats too!

Oh yes! Please do! I'm sure your experience can only be a help to someone else who may be facing something similar. Also, if you let us know what questions are on the questionaire, someone here might remember something you had mentioned that might be of help and that you might have forgotten. Just a suggestion though, knowing how we all want to do whatever we can to help this work out for you. You've all been through so much and we just want our Happy Camp Vermont back for you.

[sasvermont]

I took a half day of vacation today. I spent time with Miley, on the bed and re-examined her as I thought she seemed to be limping. Well...... I found a nasty hole in her leg. I called the vet and the vet is not around until the 24th! I will give her some antibiotics I have here and clean the wound! How could I have missed it before? She isn't touching it...but it does look like it is beginning to get infected. I put peroxide on it....and began some meds. I will be home all weekend and will keep a very, very close eye on her. It looks at though Ti yanked a wad of fur and flesh right out of her. Makes me want to give Ti away, like right this very minute!

I rec'd the application/questionaire and it is several pages long. I will have to copy it at work, as I think I have two cats with problems and they sent me only one questionaire for one cat!

I can't tell you how upset I am to find that hole in Miley's hind quarters! Poor baby. By the way, it looks much like the nasty hot spots she has had in the past, except it is obviously a hole rather than just an sore spot.

Ugh.

Thanks for listening.

Off to a baby sitting evening for some friends.

Later,
SAS