6 bandaids and more needed...

[GoLions]

Yes, my family has adopted a new member of the family. Welcome to the family Tiger, Tigger, Squeaker or whatever your name is. We now have a Cat with all her claws fully functional.

Really, from a family that has only ever owned a dog, she is the cutest cat I have ever seen. Looks a lot like a snow leopard.

[Gail]

Where did you get her? Sounds like a cutie pie!

[GoLions]

My wife HATES cats...but since our dog died earlier this month, it seems as if the wildlife around here has enjoyed a revival of some sorts. So, i came up with the idea of an outside cat. It went over well, as long as it would never set one paw inside the house. Well, i brought up the subject at the Wednesday prayer meeting and one of the ladies had a cat that seemed to fit the bill. She has plenty of animals as is, so she would be happy to part with this one.

Well, you can't just bring a cat home and throw it in the yard and expect it just to stay. Sooooo it had to stay in the basement. I knew it had to get used to us, and I was pretty firm on it staying inside for a couple of days. Well the Family talks me into letting it come outside with us, on a leash, with one of us holding it. Well, my 15 year old daughter, is holding it, when all of a sudden it moves. She freaks out, and lets it go. I am there to grab the collar as it is hiding in the tall grass. One disaster averted. Next my 18 year old daughter is holding it. I walk up to the mailbox, when I come back I said, "wow, we still have a cat" in a sarcastic kind of way. No sooner I say that, then she gets a text message, takes her hand and eyes of her, and she is gone.

We gave a half hearted attempt to find the impossible. She was off into the woods for the night. Sabbath morning I go out in my Sabbath best, and call for her. She answers, looks out from under a bush. I crouch down, put my hand out and she comes and wants to be scratched. I grab her, and as I am walking up to the house, here comes the 15 year old, running. Cat freaks out and gives me a real good scratching. I didn't let go, and got control of the situation...eventually. But I did have to go to church with the 6 band aids...and blood on my suit and shirt.

Cant wait till Wednesday Bible study...

By the way, cat had a good day, got lots of attention, inside the basement.

[Gail]

Sounds like she could make a good watch cat!

[Liz]

I love cats. But if I may, you are treating her like a dog, running up to her and such. And honestly if you want an outside cat, just feed her outside. She will keep coming back to homebase. Keep in mind though, that cat is one of coyotes favorite dishes. So either have very tall trees for her escape or bring her in at night.

If however, you decide to make her an inside kitty, I can give you tips on how to achieve that too, without scratches.

Would love to see pictures.

(I am typing this with a big black cat sitting on my desk, trying to get my attention. )

[Dottie]

Liz -

My cats like to sit on my lap when I use the computer (not at the same time). The only scratches I ever get is when they decide to jump down and use my legs as a launching pad!

They are indoors because one has a bad leg, and when we got the other, it would have been too hard to treat them differently.

[GoLions]

I love cats. But if I may, you are treating her like a dog, running up to her and such. And honestly if you want an outside cat, just feed her outside. She will keep coming back to homebase. Keep in mind though, that cat is one of coyotes favorite dishes. So either have very tall trees for her escape or bring her in at night.

If however, you decide to make her an inside kitty, I can give you tips on how to achieve that too, without scratches.

Would love to see pictures.

(I am typing this with a big black cat sitting on my desk, trying to get my attention. )

Yes we are treating it like a dog, because thats all we know...LOL.

I have never seen a coyote around here, but we live right up against the woods, so plenty of trees.

Any advice you can give would be awesome.

No pictures yet, I have to get them from the kids, I am not allowed around a camera...and I like it like that.

[Liz]

First you really need to decide if it will be an inside kitty or an outside kitty. If she hasn't been spayed yet, you can declaw her at the same time and make her an inside cat. If she has already been spayed, you can't declaw her at a later time; for some reason if one does these two procedures at two different times something clicks in the cat's mind and she will always be off-balanced mentally.

As for getting her to trust you, let her come up and approach you. Treats help, but again she isn't a dog. Act a little indifferent towards her. Watch her body signs, a flicking/wagging tail means put me down now--they will do this before trying the scratch/jump routine. Ears forward= I'm interested, Ears half-way back= I'm not buying it, Ears flat against her head=I'm ready to fight, back off. A relaxed happy cat, is stretched out in your presence with part or all of her tummy showing. Cats take time to warm up to new people, they are solitary animals and very self-sufficient, unlike dogs who will be your bestest friend within five minutes of meeting, cats need time....lots and lots of time. :)

[Dottie]

You know, Liz, you've got it all right! I've had cats all my life and never analyzed their behavior. I just figured they are cats, and that's the way they are. We have cats, and we have dogs. Even each cat has its own personality. But they like to sleep on my bed! More than I do...