New cat

[phesina]

I agree with Sandra. NO squirt gun. Being squirted will just make her more frightened and hostile and less trustful.

[Karen]

Never had a problem with our cats and squirt gun, honestly, it may vary cat to cat. And we only use it sparingly, combined with voice command. All the older cats (over 6 months being "older" in our house currently, will instantly respond to "Marigold*, get down!" *Insert offender's name of course. And yes, they all know their names.

[phesina]

This is a terrified cat just rescued from the streets and God-only-knows-what history. She's in a totally strange, frightening place she can't escape from. She has likely never been confined in a human home or been a pet before, and she doesn't know Jim or have any reason to trust him. She needs to get used to him first as the source of food and water and clean litter and comfy bedding, and of safety and peace. At this point, being squirted would just be one more scary thing about him and one more reason to fear him and distrust him.

Jim, do you have a room in your home that could be "her" room to be kept in for the time being? That way she won't suddenly surprise you with bites! You go in to take care of the food and water and litter. You talk softly to her, and maybe sometimes visit for a bit, sitting quietly, talking or reading to her.

Thank you again for taking in this precious kitty and giving her shelter and safety! Bless you.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and ~~~~PURRRS~~~~ and from Pat and Sparkler

[Jim Gleason]

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I have renamed my cat, from "Kitty Face" to "Mr Destruction"

[phesina]

So how are things going so far, Jim? "Mr Destruction" now?

I've known (in fact, been owned by) cats who might eat wet food by scooping it up with their paws. And bat the water surface with a paw. In fact, my current cat Tinker does that!

Thanks again, Jim, for giving "Mr Destruction", a.k.a. "Kitty Face" a wonderful home. (You and he will work everything out, don't worry!)

Pat and Tinker and Sparkler

[Jim Gleason]

So how are things going so far, Jim? "Mr Destruction" now?

I've known (in fact, been owned by) cats who might eat wet food by scooping it up with their paws. And bat the water surface with a paw. In fact, my current cat Tinker does that!

Thanks again, Jim, for giving "Mr Destruction", a.k.a. "Kitty Face" a wonderful home. (You and he will work everything out, don't worry!)

Pat and Tinker and Sparkler

It's been frustrating. I feel bad that I don't let him in my room where I am most the time.

The other day he's sitting on my desk and he decides to push my full cup of coffee in my lap.

I keep telling him that I would enjoy you coming in to visit. But, every time you come in it's a disaster.

I got a story that may be related.

I have a defibrillator/pacemaker and a heart monitor on my shelf. The cat has pushed it off the shelf and causes it to reboot.

I'm guessing and hoping this is the problem.

The doctor calls me last week. "You must come in tomorrow morning. The monitor is telling us you have a problem. They asked if I felt anything different. I said "no" he was surprised. We talked some more and I told him I already have an appointment January 7th. He finally gave in and made me promise to come in January. I did even if I'm on a stretcher.

I think it was a ploy to get me to come in. I am a postponer. They want to see me every three months. I haven't been there since July 2019. I sweet talk the appointment maker not to hold my prescription hostage. Since covid its been easy to postpone.

My last heart attack was 2009. Had 6 heart related surgeries.

Here's where the cat comes in.

Thursday afternoon I get another call from the doctor. Got to come in got another reading from the monitor. You must come it. We will do a blood test and check your kidneys and discuss your options. Again we agreed to wait till the 7th and points out that I haven't been there since 2019. I told him the cat has been pushing the monitor to the floor and it reboots. Could that be causing the bad readings? He said he didn't know.

On the second call they told me what they are aiming at, Afib.

First call they were surprised I didn't feel it.

I'm thinking, if it was so important they would stress I come in now instead of letting me slide till the 7th.

That it was a ploy to get me in.

That the cat pushing the monitor to the floor shook up the reading.

So here I sit. I have given instructions to Mr Destruction on what to do if I become incapacitated.

[Jim Gleason]

Up again at 4am.

I don't think she is scared. Just destructive. Every thing that can be knocked over is knocked over.

I didn't buy the squirt gun.

I can pick her up and hold her. She likes the belly rub. I thought cats don't like their stomach touched. If I touch her back legs she attempts to bite.

Her biting is a playful bite. Except for the back leg touch. She means business then.

I have no rooms 1 bedroom, very large living room I call the Dance Hall, small kitchen and a bath.

To be honest I have always had dogs since birth. I stopped having pets years ago because I am old and a pet would probably out live me. I have had three heart attacks and 7 heart related surgeries. Last heart attack was 11 years ago. On my second pacemaker/defibrillator.

That's why I enjoy coming to this siye. I enjoy reading the stories of other people pets.

I enjoy the stories children write. They express joy so much better than adults. But, I enjoy them all.

I don't post much. As you can see I ramble on and on.

Back to the cat. I don't see fear in the cat. She's out in the Dance Hall now waiting for me to unlock the door. I booted her because she was eyeballing the fan. She must have the feeling I am talking about her, she just started meowing at the door. I'll let her in.

Not used to a cat. Someone to talk to. Like I said in my other posts. I need training more than the cat.

Tonight I may wear socks to bed. But, afraid she might find something else moving.

Another problem is that my landlord doesn't know I have the cat. He is Arab from Yemen. They don't like indoor pets.

They have (I say they because it's a family affair) been very good to me. They own 7 corner stores and 10 two family homes. I am the only nonArab person they rent to.

If I need money they loan it to me. Any amount. I don't take advantage of that often. If I need a ride someplace they take me.

Oh, my my rent is very low.

Sorry I rambled on. Got up early.

Thank you,

-Jim-

[phesina]

Thanks for your long response, Jim. Your apartment sounds like mine; just a bedroom and a living room. No separate room to be hers. Is the kitchen a separate room? (Mine is just an alcove off the living room.) If it is, maybe that could become "her" room.

It sounds like she is friendly in many ways, letting you pick her up and hold her and rub her tummy. If she mostly play-bites and doesn't hurt you, then calmly move your arm or leg or whatever away from her mouth. For some reason she seems to feel quite vulnerable around her hind legs. You need to be as careful as you can not to touch her there, if doing that gets her to bite you hard, especially while you and she are just getting to know each other.

Sounds like a good idea to wear thick socks to bed if she has bitten your toes while you're sleeping!

Does she let you pet her, maybe along her sides and down her back? Does she let you touch her around her head? Many cats enjoy finger-pets around their heads, gentle skritches under the chin and along the jaw and at the base of the ears. The more "nice" things she comes to associate with you, the better!

What do you think your landlord might do if he finds out about her (and I would guess that will happen, sooner or later, depending on things like if some work needs to be done in your apartment)? Do you think he'd be okay if you offered to pay a "pet rent" surcharge? In my apartment complex there is a rent surcharge of $30 per pet, and up to two per apartment are allowed. And of course, keep things as clean as you can, so if (when?) the landlord discovers her, he'll see that she isn't making his property dirty or smelly.

Again, thank you and bless you for rescuing Kitty Face! Keep up the good work, both of you! We're sending all our loving best wishes and warm energies along that things go well.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and ~~~~PURRRS~~~~ and from Pat and Sparkler

[Jim Gleason]

Does she let you pet her, maybe along her sides and down her back? Does she let you touch her around her head? Many cats enjoy finger-pets around their heads, gentle skritches under the chin and along the jaw and at the base of the ears. The more "nice" things she comes to associate with you, the better!

I can pet and scratch her all over the place except the back feet. She like between the ears and just behind the tail on her back. And the tummy rub.

Today I'm walking though the dance hall. She comes running high speed from behind and jumps on my lower leg with a bear hug all four legs. Claws extended. I laughed.

Overall she is a great cat. I was considering changing her name to " homewrecker"

I can tell when she wants to knock something over. She stares at it a bit, then head butts it.

There is a warning sign when she going to bite. Everything is going fine and all of a sudden you see the last half of her tail wagging. At that point everything stops. Can't pick her up or anyhing.

[phesina]

Sounds like you both are doing a great job getting acquainted with each other!

[Jim Gleason]

.

Today I bought Mr. Destruction his Christmas presents.

I hope he likes them and keeps him busy.

I bought,

Floppy Fish

And a self-propelled plastic ball with a motor. It rolls around and if it hits something it changes direction. I thought this would be fun for him because he likes the balls when I roll them. But once he catches it it no longer rolls. He walks away I figure when he catches it and it rolls again he will chase it again.

I know he will love the floppy fish. It's just a matter how long it lasts.

Please don't tell Mr. Destruction about these gifts. I want to see the look on his face.

I have given him instructions not to bite Santa Claus when he arrives.

.

[Catty1]

Hi Jim.

Have you had Mr. Destruction in for a vet checkup? If money is an issue - as it is for many - would the vet take payments? Any family or friends that might help?

If he's not neutered then that surgery might make him less aggressive. However, he knew what a litterbox was, so maybe he had owners before and they had him neutered.

[Jim Gleason]

Found the cat sleeping on my dresser in the dance hall. She was sound asleep. I bit her foot.

[phesina]

And what did she think of that?

[Jim Gleason]

Actually I bit the leg. Knowing where that foot has been (cat box) I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Had no impact. She attempted to bite me three times.

No pants on and she came running from behind put my leg in a bear hug and bit my calf. I laughed and shook her off.

She has only broke skin once.