Happy Mithrandir
Just in time so we don’t all go a little bit mad with the news, WereBear sent me a guest post. Take it way WB:
If anyone is going to be happy about this current crisis, it will be our pets. Especially our cats, since many of them don’t go out anyway.
They will think spending all this time with them is because we love them. Let them think so.
If there’s anything I’m well-supplied with, it’s cats. I am now living in Kitten Country with the full Boy’s Club; all five of them.
This is because of Cat Progress. Both in my home, and in the wider world of cat rescue. Since early fall, when I rescued feral pair-bonded kittens, the process of Cat Introductions has been going slowly. In fact, it’s still going on.
We recently moved Mithrandir, a professional scaredy cat, into Kitten Country. Two days in we had our first case of Three Heads, One Bowl. He and Bud and Lou all ate from the same bowl of food. Then I knew he’d fit in fine.
Mithrandir deals with some challenges. He was a feral rescue at five weeks. At three months we picked up the taming where the shelter left off. As he grew, I eventually realized he was a Gamma, the shyest of my three Cat Types. So change is not his friend.
When we adopted a bonded pair of kittens we named Bud and Lou, he was very cautious. The last kittens he’d seen was his own litter, and that was five years ago. But he’s a giant cat who took years to mature. Not that far from his own kittenhood.
What saved him is how social his heart turned out to be. Turns out, living with Miss Princess Olwyn was not nearly as much fun as hanging with his friends Reverend Jim and Sir Tristan. Olwyn has high Tortitude and low tolerance for anyone not “doing it right.” As she sees it.
Then she grew cranky with Mithy as she saw a chance to get Mr WayofCats all to herself. Knowing her, she thinks she has wished all the rowdy boys “into the cornfield.”
Mithrandir began misbehaving. Which is always a clue that our cat is distressed, not malicious. Transfer was delayed while we hunted down something which could contain his bulk. This is a combination of his 26 pounds of pure muscle, and his mutant-sheep (this is Jack Arnold level stuff) Persian coat. All of which makes our largest carrier fit him like a sausage casing.
We wound up with a collapsible dog crate that took both of us to lug upstairs to Kitten Country, but then the hard work was over. Mithy saw the working Litter Robot, the full dishes, and the welcome from his buddies. Compared to cranky Olwyn, the respectful kittens were even more appealing.
It also made me realize that our last three kittens came from managed feral rescue efforts. I think it takes someone with cat rescue experience over a few decades to understand just how amazing this is. Spaying and neutering efforts, the rise of no-kill shelters, and a network of dedicated volunteers have brought us so far along.
These efforts are all paying off when we have the capacity to go out and hunt down cats to be rescued. When feral colonies are managed to humanely dwindle on their own. Resulting in the joys of sweet velvet-eared kittens getting domesticated, and bringing their joy to people.
Lou and Bud NOT practicing social distancing
At a time when we could all use some safe hugging, WHO has declared pet cats and dogs safe from suspicion of passing on, or catching, the virus. I’m going with that.
Stay calm, wash your hands, and hug the ones you’re with.
Before bunkering, I stocked up on both food and litter, because you have to consider both ends, of course. All with social distancing, too.
Because I don’t need extra errands with our health issues, I was already getting pet supply shipments from Chewy and PetFlow. They both run deals with discounts on the first autoship
Discover the Way of Cats. Get my book. Get the latest kitten pics on Twitter.
TaMara again. Whenever WereBear sends a post, it always makes me think about Gabe. He is so different than any cat I’ve ever had. But given the space to just be himself and find his way, with lots of love and no judgment when he needed to test the limits and occasionally soil outside the litterbox, he’s really opened up. When that didn’t end with him back in the shelter, he settled right in – after a year and a half he seems content with life in casa-crazy. Although sometimes I feel as if he’s a visitor judging us from his perch.
Hopefully, WereBear will be around for any cat questions. Meantime. how are your critters handling the social distancing?
Avalune
Our dog had already grown a bit accustomed to Leto suddenly being around all the time. She seems to be enjoying it – though I got myself on her naughty list for not taking her out for a run with me this morning apparently. She is such a pokey runner I decided not to take her today because it was gonna be a long one – so naturally she drove Leto nuts until he brought her outside and they found me. She was so ready to run he had to drop her leash and just let her run with me for a bit.
mrmoshpotato
Much less hilarity when they’re apart.
Dracula Rises
Avalune
I saw some ducks practicing social distancing while I was out today.
WaterGirl
I believe I have the exact kitty tree that’s in the bottom photo. I don’t know what my guys would do without it!
mrmoshpotato
@WaterGirl: Climb all over your jeans – when you’re wearing them?
Sab
We have five cats. Two of them are feral rescues. One was a normal kitten. One was a tiny kitten abandoned by a busy highway.One was a stray we don’t know much about except that he is good at manipulating people.
I am a dog person, so dealing with cats does not come naturally. I like them but I didn’t even begin to understand them until I read WereBear. Now all of my husband’s cats like me, even Shadow the feral, formerly known as Meankitty. She’s not mean, she is just anxious.
trollhattan
Beginning to think the dog is wondering why the fvck we aren’t leaving so he can do whatever it is that keeps him busy on normal weekdays. Guess it’s better than 50 pounds climbing in my lap, but I’m picking up a vibe.
WaterGirl
@mrmoshpotato: I tend not to wear jeans, so I think they would be drawing blood with my lighter fabrics. Ouch!
WereBear
Kitty Trees are essential, especially now — we have 2.5 Alpha Cat Types. Lou is on the Cusp between Alpha and Beta. Such a moshpit of love.
TaMara (HFG)
@WaterGirl: Hey I saw your note about yeast. Thanks. Been a crazy time here, I’m falling down on email and phone replies.
WereBear
@Sab: I love how my ideas have transformed your cat relationships :)
Proof of concept. My next book will be Cat Civilization. All about multiple cats.
TaMara (HFG)
@WereBear: I do not even want to talk about that cat tree. My cats are assholes. ?
WereBear
@mrmoshpotato: I loved all the Abbott and Costello movies, so we when got two funny kittens even though one was always solemn, they practically named themselves.
Any excuse to say, “Heeeeey Abbott!”
WereBear
@TaMara (HFG): Is it Gabe’s troubled past? It sounds like you understand him, though :)
mrmoshpotato
@WereBear:
?❤️?
A Ghost to Most
Our two cats haven’t changed their mutual disdain for each other. One is super smart, the other is a tough mfer.
Asymmetric warfare has been the rule for 7 years
Redshift
For Chewy, it’s not just the first shipment, the discount is on every shipment. I’ve been getting hay for the rabbits from them ever since my local store that would order it closed. (Most pet stores only carry the 40oz size, which can cost as much as ten times more by weight.)
Old Dan and Little Ann
The near 20 month old lab is not used to being up and at ‘em all day. He’s crated during our work day. Lots of walks, lots of hanging outdoors. I spotted him sleeping out in the yard yesterday for the 1st time ever!
mrmoshpotato
@WereBear: But does Dracula know that?
WaterGirl
@TaMara (HFG): Oh, good. I think I am going to buy some of that myself next week. It said it’s considered the most popular in the country, or something like that.
WaterGirl
@TaMara (HFG): I was sorry to hear about work. My summer client is usually about 20k, and I am 99% sure that it will be called off – the program is related to travel and kids and groups, so I can’t imagine it won’t be.
Gravenstone
30ish odd pounds of cats in my lap agree, they don’t do social distancing.
edm
My cat is half dog sometimes. Rescue from a feral mother. asks for belly rubs, comes when I call. co workers Asks to be played with. Now teasing the new puppy after one week of ‘oh shit, what did you do to me?”
Avalune
@TaMara (HFG): OT – not sure if you saw but I did your Pig Mopping the Floor today (https://flic.kr/p/2iFtvPo).
WereBear
@mrmoshpotato: Oh, he would go after Lou. The gullible one.
TaMara (HFG)
@WereBear: I’m learning to understand him. My first goal was that he feel safe. After that, I let him decide on when and how to get attention. I also leave a towel on the bathroom floor, and if he’s feeling stressed or gets a UTI, he pees on that towel (he’s such a good boy) and I know to pay attention. He and Zander are inseparable and he loves the pups, so it’s worked out well.
The cat tree – that’s because for a YEAR they didn’t use it and two days after I thought, hey, I should give this way and get a new one when we move, they use it every day.
TaMara (HFG)
@Avalune:
I love her.
Avalune
@TaMara (HFG): For some reason I automatically associated “mopping the floor” with Annie, so I just went with it.
WereBear
@TaMara (HFG): Oh, the psychic cat syndrome.
As I like to say, when the new hangs around long enough, it’s no longer new.
WereBear
@TaMara (HFG): Oh, that link is hilarious. Great pic.
We took apart their favorite cat tree and moved it downstairs and it took a while for everyone to use it because now it was different!
Mithy enjoyed going all the way to the top where there was a tunnel, and then he grew too big to fit through it.
Bud and Lou are getting bigger while still staying kittens; I haven’t seen that before. Now Mr WereBear is muttering about how I have a growth hormone effect or something. They will be the size of pumas at this rate.
TaMara (HFG)
@WaterGirl: Yeah, trying really hard not to panic. In the words of Atticus Finch: It’s not time to worry yet.
TaMara (HFG)
@WereBear: Okay, I know this tunnel and I’m trying to imagine a cat too big to fit in it.
We may need a photo of Mithy being held by his humans for size comparison!
Anya
My cat Westley invented social distancing. He does not like anyone (he tolerates me) and would like to be left alone most of the time until he decides he wants to be petted.
TaMara (HFG)
@Avalune: Kiwi (?) surfing is awesome.
Avalune
@TaMara (HFG): Kiwi is definitely my favorite so far – which is funny because I was like hum…how the heck am I supposed to do a kiwi surfing, this is going to look stupid.
Darkrose
Alistair’s idea of social distancing is not sitting on my head at night.
WaterGirl
@TaMara (HFG): We’ll figure it out, it’s just that with so many unknowns at this point, there’s nothing to work with yet. :-)
White & Gold Purgatorian
Lovely post. Cats are so therapeutic. I have a large purring orange cat in my lap right now, helpfully lowering my blood pressure. Which might have spiked this afternoon because I checked our cat food autoship and discovered chewy is out of stock on all our food! Trying to stay calm, but we have 8 feline mouths to feed and if there is no cat food they will start gnawing on our arms and legs. Yes, we do have a pandemic stash accumulated over the past few weeks, but it’s still shocking to think our cats might run short before we do.
WereBear
@White & Gold Purgatorian: Not like it’s actual ZOMBIES.
Yutsano
@TaMara (HFG): Off topic from the thread but: feel free to grab the garlic-turmeric recipe I posted yesterday in the food thread. Since it’s stuff most people have stocked up it should be a good one for what’s going on right now. If you want I can crib it later and e-mail it to you.
A Ghost to Most
@TaMara (HFG): I had to take apart and rebuild Chewy’s large cat tree to fit our large cats. Three levels of wide lounging space. Cat tree designers could learn.
White & Gold Purgatorian
@Gravenstone: Would that 30 pounds be one cat, or two?
laura
@Darkrose: Hi Darkrose! How are you faring? Hope alls well with you and yours?
Sab
@TaMara (HFG): Mithy might be an actual Maine coon, and not one of the normal cat size longhaired tabbies with attitude that we call Maine coons.Which is what I have. He’s fat and he’s only 15 pounds.
Sab
I was thrilled to see Litlbrit (whatever her actual nym is) delurk yesterday. Had been worried about her with those midwinter hurricanes in UK. Nothing about that last sentence is normal, except that I was worried.
WereBear
@Sab: I have two Maine Coon mixes: Reverend Jim is the old school breeding pattern, he’s about 16 pounds, and has the normal coat which is “natural.” Long, lots of guard hairs, only tangles at the hips. Grooming keeps him in shape.
Mithrandir is 26 pounds at the vet, and it’s like hefting a cement block because it’s all muscle. And his coat is THICK like a Persian. That’s part of why he has trouble getting through the cat tree tunnel.
Yet his head, as seen up top, is completely Maine Coon, right to the ears. But then, all along the Northeast, with all the ports, you’ll find those genes. They were ship cats.
WereBear
@Sab: Sorry I missed her. I’ve been thinking of her. If possible, she’s actually dealing with worse stuff than we are.
mrmoshpotato
Not to step on anyone’s tail, but this has to be shared.
trollhattan
@mrmoshpotato:
Hundred years ago you probably made a damn fine living with that madness. Amazing, bizarre technology.
WereBear
@trollhattan: one man band was a thing
Dan B
A couple months ago I had a question about an 8 month old feral my partner brought home. He was terrified and hiding under the bed but peeking out from hunger. I got clawed for trying to pet while he was purring from head scritching. Since he’s become trusting, playful – very crazy playful, plays fetch with mousey toys, asks to be petted, understands his name and the words food, treats, and No! So he’s very bright, pretty, tiny – 6 1/2 pounds, funny. He’s the Ba Boo.
Then my partner brought home another cat who had been living outside but not feral, then inside at the rental house, but marking – probably because of loud demanding tenant. He’s got hind leg control issues so he’s Mr. Wobbles. Our our little one wants to play “hunt / chase”. The Wob’s cries and hisses at Ba Boo when he gets too close. Fortunately tge Wob’s is 20 pounds and solidly, if wobbily, built. I think they need to be left alone to work it out but my partner is very distressed they aren’t best cuddly friends after almost three weeks. I think his watching over them adds to the stress because they are trying to scope each other out and trying to keep on the good side of the big hoomin they love. It’s too many moving parts.
Thoughts? (Or just prayers if that’s what it comes down to.)
WereBear
@Dan B: they need guidance. Enforce fairness. Kittens long to play with everyone. It’s how they show friendship. If you get out a toy, will that distract the little one?
Dan B
@WereBear: Good to know. They would have been all Lord of the Flies with my instincts.
WereBear
@Dan B: they seem sweet. Play with the little one so he doesn’t harass, coo at the. When they tolerate each other. Mutual treat time! Mutual petting time.
Let them associate each other with good things.
ziggy
My dog is just thrilled the kitchen is put back together and his “eating towel” is back in the right place. He was just dancing in circles tonight.
But we are still afraid to let him back outside without a leash. Anyone know how long it takes for a raccoon with distemper to kick the bucket? I can’t seem to get any answers.
Gravenstone
@White & Gold Purgatorian: 18# of orange fluffball and 11# of the newest addition, who is somewhere above alpha if that’s a thing. Little fucker demands my lap, regardless of who might already be there.
Kay (not the front-pager)
Oh cap, did I miss a WereBear post again? I have a question about my now-9 year old rescue boys. Or maybe cats in general. Do they talk to each other? Because mine have special calls to each other that honestly sound like words. They came to live with us when they were 2 and 3 months old, and were already deeply bonded. The older one, Reilly, was sort of? a leader? but he was also very dependent on the younger boy, who we renamed Loki. Reilly had a special series of chirps, to which Loki would come running to help him with whatever task he was attempting (opening the kiddie gate, or toppling the trashcan, for instance). Another series of chirps signaled a need for comfort and a nap, and another, louder one desire to play. Eventually Loki took up his own chirps and calls. They are most likely to use this language when they don’t think we’re paying attention, particularly at night.
So, is this just some weird thing with my cats? Something like twins’ made-up language? ore is this a real thing? They are really the two biggest cuddliest lunkheads around, but this covert communication is a puzzler. I hope I’m not too late again!
Avalune
I don’t have any cats – my dog is a cat terrorist.
But I have an armadillo directing traffic? https://flic.kr/p/2iFxA7u
hueyplong
Mithrandir looks like a clone of our cat.
mrmoshpotato
Hehe
eddie blake
i DID take the advice, and we DID go before the city pretty much shut down.
so now we have a new member of the family. one year old tabby girl named catie.
still in quarantine, just like the rest of us. soon she’ll meet her brother and hopefully they’ll bond rather peacefully.
WereBear
They absolutely talk to each other.
Your boys might be a bit unusual in that they use vocalization. Sir Tristan and I have conversations, where he uses his voice tones kind of like an Asian language. He asks, he complains, he exhorts. I do need to follow him to what he is talking about for further insight, but he has a lot of Siamese and they are known for this ability.
I see a lot of Cat Conferences where they get into the loaf position and stare at each other. I know information is exchanged, but it must be so subtle I can’t see it. But it’s plausible, since they have much keener senses than humans. Tristan loves to do this with Bud Abbott.
Just this morning I saw a Conference between RJ, Mithrandir, and Tristan. Probably about the kittens :)
WereBear
@hueyplong: Is he big? We had to get a collapsible dog crate as a carrier, because the usual kind fits him like a sausage casing.
WereBear
Awwww. Congratulations.
Recently, I’ve been musing over my own sanity, rescuing Bud and Lou and now landing in uncertain times. It can seem like a silly thing to do.
But I realized it’s not. Rescuing each other is how we’ll manage to get through to the other side of this. No matter who we are.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Kay (not the front-pager): My two bonded pairs each have their own language, much to the distress of the elder, loner cat. He’s never quite sure what’s about to happen when one pair or the other starts talking.