I suspect I am being "Groomed" as a new CAT Butler...Help

Dear Group,

About 11 years ago a cat (MAX) decided that I might be a good candidate Butler/Servant.
It took him about 3 months to decide.
Well, I eventually passed the quite rigorous interview, and served MAX until his demise this year (on Australia Day - 4am, in my bed)
It hurt and I thought I didn't want another Cat. Buffy, my "Other Cat doesn't count. She just is...Calico Cats really are different :-)

Well...2 days ago I noticed a "Tuxedo Cat" similar to Max asking for food, very scared...Hmm just like Max. But even younger. I'm guessing one to 2 yo. only.

No, no, no I will just feed it occasionally. I can't adopt/serve him/her. She/he will probably live for another 15+ years. I wont.

But...but...?

Your thoughts on getting a young Cat when you/one are/is OLD?
No I have no relatives at all.

Guido.

PS. I have the same problem with the disposal of my library, but animals are more important :-)

Ah, yes. I understand. I believe there are shelters that will take in cats whose owners have passed for a certain amount of money. I don't know how to suggest one because I am currently refusing to think about this (we have 5 and are not spring chickens). A google search may be in order — or contact the ASPCA?

The other possibility is to make a local animal rescue organization aware of the cat and see if they can trap it and find it a good home.

Best wishes, k4k

Hi Group, Sad tale.

I finally saw my Phantom Cat in daylight.

Alas SHE is very young and very Pregnant.

If I were to adopt her it would be with how many? kittens.

I can afford her De-Sexing and her various shots...But the kittens?

I don't want to Capture her and take her to my Vet, who would do what to the unborn kittens?

I have donated to a Non Kill animal shelter for about 15 Years? But they always have a limit. They can't accept everyone :-(

I wan't sure about her, but now with Kittens???

Guido.

PS, Thanks >#2 I live in Australia. I do know a few animal rescue organizations here.

As she is pregnant I would definitely contact a shelter, about finding homes for the kittens at least.

I would also feed her so that she hangs around until you find somewhere or someone who can take care of her and/or her kittens.

Good luck.

Thanks Group,

I am so torn. She does so remind me of my MAX, sort of...
BUT.
I have only seen her 3 times.
Max took his time and waited for 3 or so months :-) before he accepted me.

This pregnant CAT probably just wants food for her "babies" I suspect. OK of course she will get it but what after that?
Yes I will get in touch with my Shelter group, but...but...

I don't know!

Guido.

>5 guido47: Good luck and take your time thinking about this. If she is being cared for in a shelter, you will have an opportunity to ponder the situation and make a decision that is right for you.

Yours in catitude and felinicity,

k4k

>5 guido47: I'd probably take her in so she could have her babies in safety while seeing what I could do to transfer her and the kittens to a rescue. I'm a big softie though. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

>5 guido47: From one stray cat magnet to another - I feel for your dilemma and hope your local shelter can help you make the best decision. Good luck.

In addition to food and water can you make some kind of shelter for her? A cardboard box would do. She might have her kittens there and it might be easier to get her and the babies to a rescue group. If she's feral all bets are off.

Calico Cats really are different :-)
Mine have been pleasant, sometimes even chill — I wouldn't say simple but they seem to be the blondes of the cat world. Not Mensa candidates.

Thanks Group.

I looked into getting a trap from the Council. And my NO Kill shelter (whom I have supported for about 12 years - with many $$$ ) Typical bureaucracy :-(

I have to adopt her, via my VET. Since I have just become a Pensioner (73 yo.) I find the $100+ Vet fee a bit much. BUT I will do it for her!

It is just so hard to trap her. Only 7 or so days :-)

Guido

PS.. My Calico is a member of "MENSA". May I tell you some stories...

Good luck with the trapping!

And oh please do tell us some stories of your MENSA calico! :-)

Best of luck with the trapping. Hope you can convince her that it would be a good move for her to "adopt" you and maybe the vet has a senior discount plan.

And yes, definitely want to hear calico stories. One of my cats was Mensa but she was a calico tabby. Tabbies seem more clever.

>10 guido47: Just saw this thread. I can relate very well to the Original Poster being at a similar stage on life’s journey.
My oldest is now approaching nineteen and of course I know what that means. But as long as he keeps telling me that his quality of life is acceptable I’ll continue to give him loving care.

How did the original quandary from last month pan out ?

Dear Group,

I have just come out of a 4 Day stay in Hospital (1 hour ago) from a Cat Bite. Evidently they can be serious.
Plus having Diabetes (2) complicates things.

Yes it was from my "Miss Kitty" - my name for her.
It turned out she wasn't pregnant.
Well I had just fed her (about 10 days ago) when, as she was wending her way through my ankles, she bit me on the top of my foot.
Yes there was a lot of blood, from the bite and the scratches :-) I told her off (swear words deleted) and she looked at me with a rather confused face.

I suspect she had had some issue with feet/shoes? Yes I was stupid , she had attacked my shoes/feet before and that day I walked out without shoes.

Well to my mind the responses to my injury were, interesting... Some from Nurses, some of whom said "I hate CATS", "The only good cat is a D..."

Some immediately said "Kill her", even from few so called cat "likers".
Most said "I hope you will stop feeding her"

I guess I had to explain my thought on a confused/traumatized cat a dozen times whenever my injury came up in a inspection round.
But what else do you do in Hospital except talk and SLEEP

Guido.

PS. When I returned I saw the food hadn't been eaten ( a friend was feeding Buffy (indoors) and Kitty outside)

Buffy did sorta miss me. I called for Kitty and she appeared :-)

PPS. During my stay, The hospital admitted a serious Dog Bite inquiry and a Horse Bite to a hand...shudder.

Sorry about you kitty bite! The last time I had one was trying to give a pill to my 18-year old cat, Puss (sister of Boots). I can’t blame her for that one. I hope you recover soon. May I suggest wearing slippers around your house?

>14 guido47: no good deed goes unpunished! Glad you are back on your feet!

>14 guido47: So sorry for your bite and hospital stay, but glad you are the compassionate person you are and have forgiven Miss Kitty.

Hi Group,

I thought I'd add an update about Miss Kitty. She now (almost) lives indoors. But still NO PATS allowed. Oh yes she BIT me again (quite seriously)
Unfortunately it was on a public holiday and few doctors were available. Found one who was ambivalent about medicine vs. hospital (straight away).
With Covid I didn't want to take up space in a Hospital, so I convinced her to go the Pill road :-) She wasn't my usual Doctor and I did like her drawing a Biro line
on my foot where the infection had spread to and telling me to go "straight to hospital" if the infection hadn't retreated!

It has just retreated a little...:-)

Guido.

PS. I heard a CAT FIGHT one night, which I was sure was at least 5 minutes, but was probably only 5-10 seconds. Next day Much Fur Fortunately
no wounds.
PPS. I Can't afford the Vet Bills!

>18 guido47: Good to hear she and you are both doing well.

Dear Group,

I think that the 1st time I introduced you to "Miss Kitty", before I had even named her, I was sure she was Pregnant. Not true.

I couldn't even Pat her to find out

Well a year plus on, I am now allowed 2 strokes of the back and a pat on her head.

AND...AND I think her tummy is swelling. Yes I did want to get her de-sexed but i couldn't get her to the VET. I couldn't even touch her.

If you recall, she did send me to hospital for 5 days :-) But I still... She now sleeps at the end of my bed.

I will let you know of any results (with kitten pics, if appropriate) in the future.

Guido.

PS. i have supported a "no-kill" animal shelter for approx. 18 years. I know that they too have limits.
For once I hope my patronage will get my potential kittens an in. What I will do with "Miss Kitty", I can just have wait and see.

>20 guido47: Good luck! I guess the swelling couldn't be due to extra food, could it? No, probably not. I think most shelters accept kittens because they are easily adopted.

Shelters here can be also be asked to help catch and transport cats to the vet for sterilization. If you can't lure her into transporter with favorite food, you can perhaps ask them to come with those special cages and transport her. If you wait until she's more tame, you'll get another litter in 6 months, hahaha.

Please do post pics of kittens when/if they come

>22 SandraArdnas: So true!

Well Group,

Still no kittens, but over 63 days since my first guess.
Miss Kitty is now the most friendly/loving I have ever seen her. I even picked her up and put her on a chair!
She sleeps on the end of my bed (still some debate with my 16 yo. Lizzy) I doubt they will ever accept each accept each-other :-(

If in fact she does have any Kittens, how do you think the "old girl - Buffy" will react? Kill or ignore or accept?

And what do you think I should do?

Thanks, Guido.

I'm guessing she's not pregnant then. There would be kittens by now.

No way to tell how cats will accept each other. Some just needs some time to get to know each other, some never become friendly, but learn to respect each other's space so there's peace in the house. I currently have two that can't even come to that. 7 and 8 years old, grew up together, but still at each other's throat practically daily. When he (the younger one) was a baby, she hissed at him constantly, so they are enemies forever I guess. The other two cats at my friends house when we found him as a 3-week kitten were anxious for a few days, but then accepted him and they were the best of friends later.

I'd sterilize her as soon as possible since she's going out and it's just a matter of time when she'll come pregnant. A litter of kittens are cute as hell, but also a handful for the few months they'll be with you and their moma. And then of course there's the issue of finding them homes afterwards.

>24 guido47: So glad she is now very friendly, but I agree with >25 SandraArdnas:. The sooner you take her to the vet to be spayed, the sooner the situation in you home with your other cat will stabilize. Having kittens around will be a complication that won't easily go away. I know: we are a "failed foster home".

Thanks, 26/25 et. al,

But she still has a very swollen belly! And remember my guess about the start of her (guessed) gestation period, was just that, a guess.

Of course I believe "most domestic CATs" should be de-sexed. I was just waiting until the "possible kittens" and when I could pick her up :-)

I suspect this might be a few more weeks. Pats are OK, not sure about the other stuff!

Guido.

PS. Is it safe to give a possibly pregnant cat Worm/flea/etc. drops (Brand name "Revolution" in Australia)?

>27 guido47:

Is it safe to give a possibly pregnant cat Worm/flea/etc. drops

Ask your vet!

Swollen belly might not be kittens. I would really try to get her to a vet as soon as possible.

Leave a cat carrier with the door open near where she hangs out, with some comfy bedding as if she is having kittens she might find it a nice place to be. When she settles there shut the door.

Good luck

Yes, swollen belly might be some health issue. Cats carry for around 63-65 days altogether, that's why I said there wold be kittens by now

Hi group, Well a really, I mean really RED face here :-

"MISS KITTY' is Not/Never going to have any kittens because...

I'm guessing the astute one's of you (and CAT Lovers are "smarter than the average...) have already guessed.

Drum roll...roll again...

Miss Kitty is Mr. Kit (HIS temporary new name.)

Any ideas on a new name, after approx. 2 years?

Yes I will have him desexed (funny a Male is cheaper (to have desexed) than a female) Had to add the parenthesis to protect us MALES !!!!!

More explanations/excuses when I can manufacture them :-)

Love Guido & CAT.

>31 guido47: funny! I once adopted a kitten that I was assured was female. He wasn't.

Edited to add - However, it did not take me two years to figure it out!

And best wishes to both you and Mr. Kit. I'm sure he is a lovely boy.

>31 guido47: Hah! How did this realization about Mr. Kit come about? Maybe name him KitKat?
Definitely time to go to the vet, especially if the good boy still has a swollen belly, although all our cats do and it is from overfeeding or overeating depending where you want to put the blame. :-)

Dear >33 krazy4katz:,

Surprisingly I did decide to name my ex. "Miss Kitty"as KITCAT which is a sweet in Australia (possibly internationally?)

On how I discovered KITCAT was a Male, well have you ever seen a Male cat lick it's private parts and an "erection" happens? That was my clue!!

Before that (before he started eating for a Monster) IT was a very long sleek almost EGYPTIAN looking cat and had what I thought was a pregnant tummy.

Your, not the most observant CAT butler,

Guido

>34 guido47: Dear Butler-in-Training,

Yes, we also have KitKats in the US.

Best of luck with your attempts to evade control of your life by this KitKat. My husband and I are totally under the control of 3 (previously 5) cats who have taken over all the furniture and decide when we are allowed to go to bed and when we wake up (multiple times in the middle of the night).

Yours in solidarity,

k4k

yep. My elderly cat can no longer jump up to the bed. We tried to make steps, but he prefers to yowl at the top of his voice (at any time of night) to get picked up. I know I should try to train him by ignoring this, but it is so pitiful, and I love having him on the bed, so... Yes I am totally under his control.