Drama with Victoria

Victoria

Yesterday's visit was exciting as usual. I limited myself to kitties that I thought were nice, but was I wrong!  Victoria, a disturbed kitty I took a liking too, started out with her usual growling and discontent at being picked up from her cage. I took her to the larger room, the auditorium, as there are few cats in there and she always seemed calmer. Ok, no problem. Except- I have a few other cats to socialize too, and don't have a half hour or more to spend with her there!  So off we go to the playroom.  She is growling and expressing her discontent.

Memphis

Oh well. I get a few of the other cats out: Memphis walked out of his cage, and Paulette came to sit on a cat tree. Tidbit came out too. Memphis played nicely and did not get into any trouble with other cats, though he still spouts off a fierce growl or hiss. I am pleased with his progress, and its unfortunate that he has always been shunned by volunteers and staff alike, due to alleged neurological problems and or head trauma.

But when their play session came to an end, getting Victoria back to her cage proved a bit more challenging. I normally can return her without contest. As I was walking back with her in my arms, she just freaked out like a feral cat! Squirmed and clawed and growled like mad!  Out of my arms she flew, and right into the garbage can next to me!  It was horrific to all around! That was unsettling to me to say the least. I don't know if I will try working with her again. After reading her medical records, I note she had a gran mal seizure while in foster care. This suggests epilepsy, but without asking a clinician about her, I don't know. I am sad to think I won't be able to handle her anymore. 

Thomas

Of the FIVs, Thomas enjoyed getting his cone removed and a lavish neck rub and sponge bath!  Lauren bought him a new cone! How sweet!  He was so relieved.

Alvin

Miss Ellie

Loverboy and Ginger walked on their harnesses. Ginger is getting better at it, I just wish I had time to give him while he is in the learning stages.  Loverboy was a natural at it from the start!

Rumor has it that Alvin and Miss Ellie will be adopted by a board member to live in a barn!  While this comes with mixed feelings by those of us who care for these kitties, it is probably better in the long run, at least for Miss Ellie, who is not a people cat anyway.  Alvin is social so we don't know if we like it for him. I know i will dearly miss Alvin, but at this writing, I can't do better for him! Winters here can be harsh in a barn!

Updates

Memphis

On my last visit a week ago, the cats seemed moody, maybe because their play date was a day late! Memphis recognized me when I opened the door to his room and I looked at him and called his name and he meowed for me nicely! He played and ran around and didn't bother other cats, but THEY bothered him first!  Tidbit took a hissy stance at him so he hissed back. Can't really casually handle him yet. I suspect he will spout off a hiss randomly because of his injury/illness as he is not aware of everything and gets scared.

Paulette another social misfit came out onto a cat tree and sat. She picked a fight with toby in the adjacent cage of course! Though, having her walk out onto a perch is a major step forward for her.

For some reason the cats were a bit difficult picking up and returning to their cages last Tuesday. Even easy cats like Alvin and Tahlullah growled at me and resisted (not extreme). Miss Ellie beat me up too, and at least a male volunteer got her in and out for me.  Blackie was unmanageable and would not come out for me at all. usually I can drag her out, but she started the Snowflake thing of making big drama, as if she was being tortured. Ok, I get the message.

Loverboy

Loverboy was on a leash and ran back into the auditorium, broke away from my grip and leaped up on to the desk of a lady the back office, knocked down a stack of papers on it, and jumped onto her keyboard, changing the screen, and then walked onto the keyboard of the laptop next to that computer! **gasp** horrifying!  Then two teenagers wanted to walk Loverboy, and I was afraid to leave him in their keeping, but they said they would watch him when I got Ginger. They did, with a little training on 'a cat on a leash', they did ok. Though, they get bored quickly (is the issue, and Loverboy goes to sleep). One girl left, and the other one was left holding onto Loverboy. She helped me get them into the maternity/play room at least. Delegating is nice if it works!

Tidbit likewise, threw a fit going back to the cage. She is small and its hard to get too injured with her! I know I was a day late for playtime, but can they know that and be that upset over it? Little One crawled under the cages and was a pain to dig out. He likes his cage, though I wish he wouldn't use his claws to take a flying leap into it!

I just got word from Lauren, that Snowflake was adopted! Miracles are possible! She was very difficult for me to get back to her cage one time (the worst, feral-like cat behavior). Apparently, she came out of her cage, went to a visiting room and sat on the visitors lap, all without issue! Surprise, surprise!  And the new owner called into say Snowflake (now known as Lily) is doing wonderfully!  Ok, glad she is re-homed, and now that lets me know, I should not risk my life and limb to work with difficult(to me) cats! Leave em be! They find their own new owners! I will stick with the nicey nice ones!

Also, Mr Morgan, a black cat, senior, in the final stages of kidney disease, also was adopted. He was taken in by a volunteer. Now he may live out the rest of his life in a home! Miracles happen.

And the happiest news is that Oliver (FIV+) was taken back by his owner. Rumor has it that he wants to take Thomas(FIV+) back too, his cat also. So it is very happy for the FIVs!!