Monday, August 5, 2013

Blacky and Whitey warming up to Ann

Blacky never had the luxury of going up and down the stairs in his old home. The down stairs (finished basement) was closed off to both Blacky and Whitey. We figured they had full run of the upstairs so that should be sufficient. In their new home, with Ann, there are stairs and report has it that Blacky is loving it!!! Whitey use to curl up to Tom while he was on the laptop but she never fell asleep ON the laptop. It seems to me they're settling in quite nicely with Ann who sent me this email over the weekend. Her update is typed in black and my replies are underneath, typed in red:

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We have all missed you!!  Sorry I wasn't able to write sooner- it's a little hard when Whitey falls asleep on my lap and flops her head right over the computer as as you can see...  
she use to fall asleep beside Tom when he was on his laptop....but gracious not ever ON the laptop like in your picture! PRICELESS!



I'm so glad you followed up on a couple of these things- 1) no, I didn't get any records from Tom, things were so jumbled when I left that we didn't even think about it I guess.  But on the way home I was wondering about that because I'd like to take them to the vet- not because anything is wrong, I just want some baseline records and to establish a relationship with a local vet.  
 I'll bring them with me when I come up for a visit. Which leads me to this question. What is your work schedule. I'd like to make it a day that my daughter has off work so she doesn't miss any time. I've had a few people advise me to not see Blacky and Whitey, to not go visit them and that I might confuse them and to let it be, they've moved on now with a loving and caring person, you'll only put yourself back into deep depression. On the other hand I've had a few people encouraging me to go. I'm no expert in cat psychology but I think they'll be fine to see me, I think .... or am I going to jumble their little brains by seeing me then leaving again?  What are you're thoughts on that?

2) Stools would be great! I bought a playcastle but they would love to have anything familiar.  The little stool I took with me is still a fave for them.  They love to crawl up on the top and peek out at the world.   
Super! I'll bring their stools with me.

3) Blacky is mellow- it's WHITEY that loves to scratch!  But so far, she has been very contained on her scratching post.  I was able to find "refills" for the scratching post at Petco so there is a shiny new scratching post attached to the base now and Whitey LOVES it.  Blacky is too busy running up and down the stairs to care about scratching anything at the moment.  I did put double-sided tape on my furniture but I don't think I even needed to, at least not yet.

Ahhh yes the stairs...they didn't have stairs at their old home. I mean we had a downstairs but kept it closed B&W had the full run of the upstairs so I can see where he'd be going up and down those steps.... all day throughout the day! Oh Blacky, he's so playful.

They are both such goofballs! I totally agree Ann! The first night, they were stressed and didn't eat much.  I left them in a small room to calm down and they seemed to adjust okay.  The next day, I opened up the whole upstairs, and as I suspected, they spent most of the day under the bed.  
Under my bed is where I'd find them asleep most of the time. I think they like that closed in personal space feeling!  
But as soon as I came home from work, they slinked out to get a little company.  Well, by the third day, they pretty much took over the house! Oh, there was that washing machine- THAT didn't go over too well (our washing machine was down stairs....
one of the other reasons they weren't aloud down there....and the vacuum cleaner they were not fond of that beast at all LOL)  
but other than that, they were all over the place- they both think the stairs are the greatest toys ever- especially Blacky! As soon as I stand up, he takes off with this Well-You're-Going-To-Chase-Me-Aren't-You? look and off he goes, scampering up the stairs and then right back down.  I swear he could do this all night long!  
Seee... he is still a little kitten at heart. I hope he has that playful spirit for a very long time.

But Whitey is the one that gets herself in the predicaments. I stumble out of bed in the morning to find a Whitey in the tub, with this look like Help!-I'm-Trapped! and I say "Hey Baby, whats a matter?" and she jumps out of the tub and runs over and then looks back like, Hey-Wait-Why-Didn't-I-Just-Do-That-Before?? All the cute pics are of Whitey putting herself where she knows she shouldn't be and giving that "Uh-Oh!" look, While Blacky strolls around like he has owned the place forever.  
This sounds just like Whitey... yep, she was that way at her old house too.

They have both used the litterbox perfectly from day one.  The only problem we have had is that they really don't like eating the wet food.  
I usually fed them a half can split between them in the morning mixed with about 1/2 cup of dry and then usually switch up in the evening to a different variety of wet but still mixed with about a 1/2 cup dry.  
 There was some chicken wet that they were okay with but I gave them some tuna and it made them both sick.  So it wasn't my imagination! Any time, actually it was only once til I learned, they're not found of seafood flavored anything. I'm not sure what Mixed Grill has in it but they seem to like that ok (half a can mixed with a 1/2 cup of dry) So we got rid of the fishy foods and went back to the chicken and cheese which is working okay.  They have no problem eating the dry food but I know the wet food would be better for them if I can just get THEM to realize that!!
 I never fed them just wet cat food on it's own, it was always mixed, is that what you're referring to, just feeding them can cat food?....
I bought some food called "blue buffalo" that is grain-free and supposed to be healthy and Whitey was all over me, like it was the best treat ever. Blacky said "Meh- that stuff is ok I guess, but where's my Max??" so for him I have to mix the foods.
 I'm guessing, but I could never be 100% sure, they have different likes and dislikes but overall if they're really hungry, by golly they'll eat what ever you put in front of 'em!  
There are a couple cans left of the fishy canned foods that I'll be donating to the local shelter and then there are several cans of beef flavored foods that I haven't tried yet.  Maybe you can tell me if I should give it a shot or if they will just reject it.   Chicken does seem to be the favorite!  
 I have it posted on the blog. Chicken and gravy shredded, filets or bits and they like the beef too... oh, and the Mixed Grill. I switch between shredded, bits and filets.
 

They have both been good about drinking water and they have both been good about getting exercise (oh geez, that laser pointer is TOO funny)  

Oh they are my babies, I feel like I've had them forever already! But they still love to snuggle up in Mommy's shirts and take little cat naps there from time to time.  
Awwww... thank you for leaving those shirts of mine at their disposal, that's nice to know. I don't expect for you to keep those for a long time. In a few more weeks they should have YOUR scent to give them comfort.

We would LOVE for you to come visit ANYTIME!! We are mostly but not completely settled in to our new life. (Whitey was crying when I came home the first day, I think it was just too quiet for her, so I started leaving the radio on during the day and she seems much happier now) that's a great idea Ann!  
A few times when I first brought the two home with me I'd leave the radio on too... but as they got use to everything and got settled in, they didn't need the radio on. I bet Whitey was just crying because she was in a new place. This whole window thing is really exciting- sometimes we can see the cat in the house across the street- boy is that fun!

I can tell from just a few days of being around these cats that they have been loved and loved and loved some more.  There is such trust and friendliness with both of them that I know they grew up in a VERY loving home.  
Those 2 cats totally enriched my life every day I had them. I grew fond of them both very quickly. They came into my life about 2 years ago when Tom and I started having marriage trouble and hardly shared a word. They were MY comforting companions, always there for me and always loyal. When I was sad, they'd make me laugh. All they ever wanted was to be loved, picked up and cuddled, and played with and that's basically what I did. Yes, I spent A LOT of time with them.... I'd say on average I'd play with them solid for a hour in the morning and about a hour in the evening. I'd blow bubbles, tie ribbons to the fan, drag things behind me and run through the house, put 'em in boxes and drag the box around behind me (I was giving free kitty rides, they loved it) I could go on and on but all I would do is let my imagination take control in all the different ways to entertain 'em. I have a tendency to go overboard on things.

I can't tell you how happy I am to have these babies in my life! 
 I can't tell you how happy you've made me. I've read you're emails at least 3 times now, tonight makes 4.... I laugh and cry at the same time!!!  
And how happy I am to have have met you all, this wonderful loving family that creating these trusting, affectionate kitties!  I hope you can come visit us soon- you are all welcome of course!  I know they would be thrilled to have a chance to visit their old loving family in their new exciting home.
  I'm hoping you have a little cat knowledge on weather or not me visiting is a good idea, or bad. My interest is in what's best for THEM.... not what's best for me. I mean I can always mail the vet papers and you could just buy their stools to look out the window. Those 2 stools were $5 each at a yard sale.... but you let me know how you feel about it ok.

Hoping to hear from you soon.  With lots and lots and LOTS of love, 
 with lots and LOTS of love for you too ((((((((((((( ANN and BLACKY and WHITEY ))))))))))))

Ann and Blacky and Whitey  <<<<< that just looks right, ya know!!! Thank you so much for the pictures and the detailed updates. You are AWESOME!!!!!

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