Well, brought the new kitten, Tip, home yesterday. If I can keep him from jumping on the keyboard, I'll be able to type this message. I don't have a lot of time this morning, so this will be brief.
I hope I have him permanently, as this is one really nice kitten. Foster home did a great job with him. But, they will take him back if things don't work out.
Mom wouldn't even look at him the first few hours, but I think she will be ok. Little bugger jumped up in her lap and gave her a head butt to the chin first thing when I took him out to the screened in porch to meet Lucky and Mom the first time. Like he knew who he had to win over.
BUT, I thought Lucky would really take to him after his reaction to the little stray kitten we had here about 3 weeks ago. NOPE. Took one look, HISS and has not stopped hissing since. Won't even come into the end of the house the kitten is in unless I carry him there. No real "aggression" like puffing out, or attacking, but he wants no part of the kitten. He does watch his every move, but that's it.
Immediately, Mom saw this. She saw it as the perfect solution to make this remain a one cat household.... "Take him back! He's making Lucky miserable!"
I told her that since I work 2nd shift, and the lady I have to take him back to works 1st, the soonest I can take him back is next Saturday.... so we have several days to see if they will get along. Told her that cats sometimes take a while to get along.
Boy I hope Lucky comes around this week.
I've been keeping the kitten in a large dog crate when I can't watch him. I put the kitten into the crate, then bring Lucky into the room every half hour or so. Lucky will go up to the crate and sniff, HISS, sniff, HISS. Kitten isn't scared at all. Doesn't pay any attention. A few times a day, I bring the kitten out to the porch, or bring Lucky into the room without the kitten being confined. Lucky stands his ground, sometimes walking behind the kitten sniffing where he has been. HISS HISS HISS. No swatting though.
But, for the first time in months, Lucky did not sleep with me last night. The kitten spent the night in the crate in my bedroom.
We don't want to take to much time seeing if they get along, as we want to give the kitten time for someone else to adopt him while he is still young and adorable.
And, he is adorable.
Tip had not been around dogs before. He is 4 months old, but when he saw my Australian Shepherd, Pebbles, who LOVES cats and kittens, he puffed up so big he looked bigger than a watermelon. Pebbles was offended. She looked at him like - "What on Earth are you doing THAT for little one, I, my Dear, would NOT hurt you for anything. Now come over here, you little fluff ball, and let me give you a proper cleaning from head to tail" Today, he has already learned she won't hurt him. He's running up to her, and walking between her legs. She barked this morning, and it scared the daylights out of him.... he went flying down the hall, and under the bed. Pebbles was so embarassed. She went back to the bedroom, laid down, made little whining noises to him. I swear it sounded like she was saying "its ok, little one, I forgot you did not know about dogs. I will control my outbursts until you are more comfortable with me... won't you please come out?" This dog just loves cats and kittens. It's amazing to see. Lucky bites her when playing with her so hard it makes her yip in pain, and she does nothing but lay there and let him jump on her.
Keep your best wishes coming this way for Lucky to show some sign of acceptance this week, ok? If he just stops some of the hissing - or some shows some sign of accepting the kitten, we will try one more week. I know it usually takes longer for cats to adjust, but I do want Tip to find a good home, and if giving him up sooner means he gets a good forever home, that is what is ultimately most important.
My rechargable batteries were dead in my camera, and just got them recharged, so only had time for one pic.....
I need a new name for Tip if he IS going to stay. I had a TIppy when I was young. I don't like to use names twice. Have thought of Snickers cause he is caramel color, don't really like that, thought of Eddie, after Eddie Haskel, cause he looks like he is going to be that intigator type playful cat... But, I would like a really cool name for this kitten - as the lady from the rescue said, he is a really cool personality! He needs a really neat name! He does not have a tip on his tail, he has a white ear tip. I like the streak going cross ways up his face. Maybe Streaker? don't know. He has not offered any names to me yet! He is very very playful, and yet very loving and snuggly. Very gentle with claws. A realy super nice kitten.
Have to get busy, to many things to do before work.
Jules
