Hey gang,
Thanks for all the encouragement about Starman. I have heard everything
you're saying about FIV kitties before. I'm just so paranoid about
subjecting any of my guys to the remotest possibility of danger. You
guys know how darn protective I am. I would be hesitant to introduce
any cat that didn't listen to me and was showing hostile tendencies
toward my brood. They were here first and my mad house is stressful
enough as it is! Of course I intend to have Starman neutered, no one
leaves my house intact if I can help it! We'll see if he settles down
enough for me to trust him around my other sweethearts. About 10
minutes ago I was petting Star on the shelf outside my bedroom window,
(within the habitat). I guess I got to familiar, I'm not sure what set
him off, but he bit me a good one. Broke the skin and it's leaving a
bruise. I hissed at him to show my displeasure and then scratched my
head wondering what I did to bring that on. Maybe I just got him
over-excited and had let my guard down enough to not be observant enough
to notice. Little dickens, correction, big dickens! This doesn't
change my attitude about him in the slightest, I'm just reminded to not
take his "taming" for granted yet. Please send calming thoughts to my
big galoot.
With a throbbing arm,
Nina
P.S. to Tonya,
No, I didn't post about Star on the AC list. I answered someone else's
post about a feral she was trying to help. I wanted her to know that
not everyone agrees that ferals should be left to fend for themselves
because 'it's God's way'. The last I heard from that lady, she had the
kitten in her bathroom and was doing her best to become friends with him.
Nina
catatonya wrote:
And Nina,
Is this the guy you posted about on AC? I was given the same website
about not 'interfering' with ferals because they have their own
purpose. It's interesting. But if Starman is throwing himself at
your window and crying for you I think it's because he is meant to be
with YOU.
I know we ALL have to turn away cats every day. I get the emails
every day of who found what. What cats are being euthanized that day
in metro shelters, etc..... I'm no AC. But when one 'finds me' I feel
that he/she found me for a reason and they are staying.
Please at least give him a try if you possibly can. Brutus had huge
jowls too. The vet called them 'shields'. He said Brutus had the
biggest ones he'd ever seen and he couldn't believe he would fit in
the cat carrier because of his size. lol. When he meowed it sounded
like a growl more than a meow. The jowls go down after they get
neutered by the way.
Anyway, again, I don't know your situation. And I'm ashamed to say
when I first brought Brutus home I wouldn't hardly pet him because I
was afraid of him and his head was so gross. But looking back now, I
can't even imagine not having had him in my life. I would gladly give
anything to have him back even though we're overcrowded here.
And I truly don't think you'd need to do any long term confinement.
I'd put him in a separate room until everyone's used to that. Then
I'd cage him where everyone else is just in case someone tries to
fight. But I don't think he will after a little time.
Big males like that have LOTS of testosterone and it takes a while to
get it out of their system. Once it's gone I don't think you'll have
any problems.
If you DO keep him, watch out for the urine. Just ask Brenda! lol.
The first time Brutus used a litterbox, and he did use it
correctly.......... it smelled up the entire house! And he was out on
the screened porch. I had to change the box every time he went until
the smell got better. The same thing happened when I fostered Lovey
for Brenda. But these big, bad, bubba cats? It's STRONG! Get him to
drink as much as possible and flush, flush, flush it out of his system!
No pressure here. lol.
