Miley asks: Is this my new brother or a stuffed animal?

[krazyaboutkatz]

Sallyanne, Ti's pic is so cute even though he looks scared. I know he's going to fit in well in his new home. I look forward to seeing more pics of him and hearing more about him too.

[Barbara]

Seventeen pounds -he must be a big cat too. Can't wait to see him standing or so to have a better impression. However when I look at his facie under the bureau I can guess how handsome he is.

Poor boy, not being a figghter and now in a completely new environment with a sister with extra special Aby cattitude.

But he is starting to bond with you

[jenluckenbach]

Don't doubt your choice. I've experienced the "hiding under the bureau" stage of a few kitties, and it passes. They like to observe from a safe area. It will be SO rewarding as he makes his progress, one small step at a time. I think he's perfect.

[Pam]

Trevor was so impressed to hear that there is another kitty out their in Pet Talk Land who makes that needle on the scale climb almost as high as it does when he gets on! I was quick to point out to him that Ti is lean and muscular though. Sallyanne he is beautiful and it will be worth waiting for to see him in all of his glory. We shall be content for 'under the dresser pics' for now and stories of how he interacts with you and Miley in these next several days. I remember my early days with Andy. He was a kitten and a real BITER, attacking ankles and anything else with nicely exposed flesh! I remember thinking on more than one occasion that I had adopted The Cat From You Know Where. As my little boy matured his personality did a 180. He is now Mr. Affectionate and is the sweetest cat, always demanding a spot on my lap and purring away! I'm sure Ti is still a bit stressed (after all Miley didn't really roll out the red carpet upon his arrival ). I am sure that 'Ti The Handsome' will be a lovebug once he feels a little more secure.

[HayleyRosie]

17 pounds is a big cat. I can't wait to see more pictures. It won't take too long and Ti and Miley will be the best of friends.

[Rachel]

Ti might also be grieving the loss of the humans he considered his family. Give him time. Soon he will discover he has come to the right place to get the life he so rightly deserves and what fun it can be to play with the Miley girl. Would there be a way you and Miley could play in sight of him as he hides under the dresser? Maybe just his observing some fun activities might convince him that life *out there* might be interesting.

Don't get discouraged. Just remember that good things come to those that wait. (Lesson learned in potty training Hannah.)

[sasvermont]

I am not as discouraged as much as I am worried about Ti. He seems happy under there and all his functions seem to be fine.... and Miley isn't that bad with him. There was a little spat last night, because I had left my bedroom doors open and Miley went missing....in search of the furry roomie and FOUND HIM! There was hissing and howling for a minute until Ti found refuge under the sofa. Miley isn't that anxious to tangle with him - I think she just doesn't want a strange cat hanging around her turf!

Gabe was 13 pounds and he was NOT fat. He had a bit of fur on him, but no fat.

Ti has very broad shoulders, neck and torso. He has huge paws and long legs. The photo of him crouched down in the container doesn't really show his length and girth. If Miley only knew what and who she was tangling with....hehehehehehe. He is not a fighter though, at least not that I know of!

More pics tonight. I think I will put Miley away for the evening and drag Ti out into the living room and try to keep him there. The alternative is to take Ti to the bathroom, where he cannot hide and then give him all the loving that he needs right now. Or maybe I should lock Miley out of the bedroom - reverse it. Or maybe I should just let things be.....

Advice please.

Sas

[Logan]

I am no expert, Sallyanne. Obviously, my two will never be friends. But, I would give them more time and pretend everything is normal, giving each of them their own time with you, but otherwise, just let them get used to each other. I daresay that Ti will NOT live out his life under the dresser! LOL!!!! It's easy for me to say, since I'm not going through it, huh? Time is probably what he needs most. Good luck!!

[Christiansmommy]

What i did with Guinness and Dandy, since they couldnt be exposed to each other right away, b/c he hadn't been checked for Feline AIDS, was lock her in one room for an hour, and let him explore the house, then lock him up and let her smell his scent around the house...at night time, he was with us in the bedroom, for 2-3 nights in a row, so he knew he could find comfort in us, if he was scared of his new surroundings. So they were exposed to each other, but only thru their scent left around the house...

I felt bad locking Dandy out of our bedrrom for a few nights...but made her feel sure when we were around her, that i still loved her. I just thought it was important to have Guinness feel close and comfortable with us, so if Dandy didnt accept him right away, he would feel safe with us (if not with her). You might want to put him in the bathroom, with just the 2 of you for a while and let him get to know you better. He might want to come out of his hiding spots...just to look for the new found friend he has in you, ya know. I am definitly not an expert in introducing cats to one another...but just thought i'd share what i did.

Good Luck...afterall, you managed to help Gabe (and all of his mulitple personalities), adapt to your hosue, so Ti will probably end up being a piece of cake! As everyone told me, time time time.

Robyn

[Barbara]

My first cat Grisette, a rescued feral, was maybe 3 months old when we got her and then she spent 3 weeks under the kitchen cupboard before she came out and became a nice and friendly cat.

Filou and Tigris ignored each other completely for one week although they were much younger than Ti and Miley are. Up to my opinion a little hissing an grrrring is not to bad because they notice each other and start to interact. It is a step forward compared to just walking away and finding different ways through the house.

I did never think Ti was fat: I just imagine that he must be quite higher, longer legs, longer body than little Miley. Tigris is very similar to Filou in shape -just every detail is bigger -from nosepad to tailtip. So he can weigh the double of Filou without being fat.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Bringing Ti into, and Miley out of, the bedroom might be a start. I know Peanut is most comfortable with us when we are in bed, and that might just be a good bonding spot. (sounds kind of silly if you think about it ). You might try the bathroom thing, but I almost think you shouldn't force him into anything. If, like Luckies4me said, that they really bond with their humans, it could be that he's just really confused with the unfamiliar territory and unfamiliar with the hissing and growling that Miley is doing.

You have to do what your instincts tell you, but I think he's doing great, and playing with you - even if it is from under the bureau - is a good start, and the fact that he's eating and using the litter box as normal is another good sign that he's starting to feel more comfortable. I know he'll be out and about soon, and I agree that by the end of the weekend he'll definitely know this is his new home - and his new sister.

Please keep us updated, and pictures of paws would be wonderful. He certainly doesn't look like 17 lbs of cat, but he sure is beautiful.

[lynnestankard]

At least we can see he has beautiful patty paws and a sweet face!!
C'mon out Ti - we're dieing to see our 'new' boy - you look so handsome there are lots of furladies out here wondering just how striking you are - you show 'em sweetheart!!
Lynne

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Don't worry, hissing and squabbling are normal. Miley has to let him know she is top cat. Do you have any catnip on hand? Giving them each a pinch may calm things down and mellow them each a bit. Chester and Leonardo had trouble being around each other. When I give them catnip they love everyone, even each other. They can now be beside each other with out fur flying. Good luck.

[jenluckenbach]

I personally don't like to pick up the new cat in order to move him to a new room to socialize him. I like to let them come out on their own. They will get to know the first room that they live in and it will become their safe haven, a place to run to if things get scarey. If you pick up the cat and carry him to another room, they may not know how to get back to their safe haven and that is traumatic for them. It took a couple of weeks for Calvin to venture out of his safe room and it took Willow even longer. And it was agony trying to wait them out (you know how impatient you can get). But they are finally at ease and that is what really matters.

[sasvermont]

Jen, Ti keeps moving from room to room, on his own! I never see him in the process, just that he is MIA from the last spot! His favorite spots are under or behind the sofa or under the dresser in the spare room.

I hope to let Ti roam the range tonight, sans Ms. Miley.

I will keep you posted!

Jen, I too, usually let things happen natually, but Ti is so shy, I just don't want him to starve for the lack of attention! He is so sweet and loveable.