Jailbird pictures

[jenluckenbach]

Here are photos of my 2 jailbirds. Sterling is such a good boy. And he is so far being OK in his whole room confinement:

And here is singing Jim. His serenades are sending me to the looney bin. I am weakening, but I do not think that the medicine has relaxed him enough yet to allow him to go to the next step. I need to talk to the vet about upping the dosage.

[jenluckenbach]

people look, but no one comments. I am feeling quite low today and this is NOT helping my spirits.
sorry for acting immature, but this is a rough time for me

[Kater]

Despite their complaining you must realize you have them in very nice accommodations!! I know this has got to be rough on you, but you are doing the right thing for them, even though it's hard.

At the shelter we will sometimes dim the lights in a room full of caged cats to get them to calm. You could try this and see if it relaxes "singing" Jim at all.

Or perhaps you could give them some "over the counter" kitty drugs--- sprinkle a bit of catnip on one of the shelves?

Stay strong, Jen! You are such a good kitty Mommy!

[kimlovescats]

I know how you feel, Jen..... I get that way too sometimes.... just want /need someone to acknowledge!!! Oh, I do feel for you, and especially having to tolerate Jim's "serenading"....would definitely drive me crazy!!!! Is there a room anywhere in your house where you could place him so it's not so easy to hear him? I know you feel for him, but he is fine... YOU need to keep your sanity and not be "on edge" .....so a slilght separation could do everyone some good!

WIsh I had words of wisdom for you, but I do empathasize!!!

[bisi.cat]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach

Looks like he's singing the "JailHouse Rock"...

I can quite imagine how you feel, but please don't be too upset, it's for your cats' best!!!
Every cat has it's very own personality and Jim and Sterling maybe have been feeling a little bit unconfortable or, let's say "uncertain" about their role in your household with the fosters...this confinement will bring back a feeling of "being secure"...it's then easier for them to find their new role in your home...
I very much admire you for having such a big cat herd at your home and I am sure everyone has to find it's place and as you know a "cat pack" is never static and they never have a real pecking order, so changes like this often occur in multicat households...but you've done very right in acting at once and seperating them!!!
Perhaps I once again may highly recommend the wonderful book "Is your cat crazy" by John Wright...it has helped me a lot to understand Nellie's reactions toward other cats!!!

HUGS!!!

[Kater]

Originally posted by bisi.cat
Every cat has it's very own personality and Jim and Sterling maybe have been feeling a little bit unconfortable or, let's say "uncertain" about their role in your household with the fosters...this confinement will bring back a feeling of "being secure"...it's then easier for them to find their new role in your home...
I very much admire you for having such a big cat herd at your home and I am sure everyone has to find it's place and as you know a "cat pack" is never static and they never have a real pecking order, so changes like this often occur in multicat households...but you've done very right in acting at once and seperating them!!!
Perhaps I once again may highly recommend the wonderful book "Is your cat crazy" by John Wright...it has helped me a lot to understand Nellie's reactions toward other cats!!!

HUGS!!!

What an encouraging post! Plus the "words of wisdom" we were waiting for! So perfectly said- Thank You.

[RedHedd]

I agree -- singing Jim is probably wailing the Jailhouse Rock -- Have you tried singing along with him? I do this when Mishi gets very vocal -- it confuses the heck out of him and he looks at me like I'm nuts (which I will admit I am, but we wont tell him that )

Just know that it's not a permanent situation -- this too shall pass, although right now it probably doesn't feel like it.

[Barbara]

I know these songs. F+T sing them all the way to the vets. How tough it must be for you to hear them all the time.

But the accommodations are very good (I knew that already). I hope that you get through it soon.

There is not much to say only after bad times there will come good times. And bad times after that. And again good times.

I hope so much that your herd will be back to balance once Sterling and Jim are back to normal

[Randi]

Jen, I am sorry you have to go through this, but watch for the light in the end of the tunnel - it WILL get better!!

Take a glass of wine and sing along! He may be shocked enough to stop.

[PayItForward]

Thinking of you Jen. it must be difficult to listen to Jim singing.

But you are doing this to help them and you might have to chant this to yourself under your breath over the coming days (Maybe wth a nice crisp glass of ehite wine at the weekend.)
{{Hugs}} from the UK crew

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, I know that this is a very difficult time for you but it will get better soon. Some cats are just more vocal than others and Jim must be one of them. Try not to get too stressed out and please take care. {{{HUGS}}}

[Miss Meow]

You have already survived a whole weekend, so hopefully the rest of the imprisonment time passes quickly.

(You may not have received many responses because of Labour Day in the USA??? PT has seemed quieter over the weekend.)

Randi has a good idea - have a drink and sing along!

[jenluckenbach]

Thank you to all. I just need a little sanity around here. Combine Jim's stress with Sweet Annie's fear and I am feeling a bit of a failure right now. But I always TRY to remember all the months, even years I have had without major incidents and I can count myself quite lucky.
I'm hanging in.

[sasvermont]

Jen, you are one of the best cat moms! And wow, what wonderful cages. They must have cost a fortune! Don't let those silly kitties get you down. I know, I had my share of stress for months on end. It is debilitating sometimes, but know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I hope this situation works out and your guys get the message. You may want to up the dose on the meds. Did you ask your Vet about the cream version of the amitripline? It is so much easier to administer!

Good luck - keep up the good work - maybe a good long walk would help out a little.

Love,
SAS

[jazzcat]

Poor guys, but particularly poor you. Hang in there - you are doing a great job and I really admire you. I talk about wanting to help the homeless animals but you really do it. You're a total inspiration to me as I'm sure you are to many on the board.