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lydamorehouseWhen we asked the vet for advice for integrating our cats, we were given a flyer that was written by a behaviorist who had pretty good advice. Some stuff we knew and already were doing and a few other little tricks that might help. However, the funniest part was the suggestion that any time there was a neutral or good interaction between Willow and Rhubarb (formerly known as Clover/Six) we were supposed to give them a treat (make sense) and burble, "Happy Cats!"
So, of course, immediately, Shawn and I started with the somewhat-ironic "Happy Cats!" declaration.
Mostly, we are being patient. We've had some actual happy cat moments or at least, "I didn't realize you were in my territory because I was sleeping" moments, and continued snapping and hissing. But, the flyer was actually reassuring that integration really can take a long time and that you basically have to go at the pace of the cat who is the most traumatized.
Sometimes that's little loaf:
Image: Rhubarb (a black cat) in a box, being a little loaf.
Sometimes that's big loaf:
Image: Willow (a black cat) in a box, being a big loaf.
This has become our lives. There's been a lot of "Ope! Time for a timeout!" and "Oh, look at you not snarling! Happy Cats!!" around our place, and probably it will continue like this for some time. We want a household where everyone is at least decently tolerating of each other and, as Shawn and I keep reminding ourselves, there's no need to rush since... well, this is basically a lifelong project. There's no deadline. We're in no hurry.
In other news, I adapted a recipe from the Overwatch cookbook to make "bear scat" cookies for my D&D group tonight. For those not reading the D&D/Elf icon posts, basically last adventure we fought a mama bear, so this is just a silly reference to that. There is not bear poop in this recipe, only chocolate, peanut butter, honey, and rice crispies.
Image: round balls of chocolate, peanut butter, rice crispies, and honey.
Happy CATS!!
So, of course, immediately, Shawn and I started with the somewhat-ironic "Happy Cats!" declaration.
Mostly, we are being patient. We've had some actual happy cat moments or at least, "I didn't realize you were in my territory because I was sleeping" moments, and continued snapping and hissing. But, the flyer was actually reassuring that integration really can take a long time and that you basically have to go at the pace of the cat who is the most traumatized.
Sometimes that's little loaf:
Image: Rhubarb (a black cat) in a box, being a little loaf.
Sometimes that's big loaf:
Image: Willow (a black cat) in a box, being a big loaf.
This has become our lives. There's been a lot of "Ope! Time for a timeout!" and "Oh, look at you not snarling! Happy Cats!!" around our place, and probably it will continue like this for some time. We want a household where everyone is at least decently tolerating of each other and, as Shawn and I keep reminding ourselves, there's no need to rush since... well, this is basically a lifelong project. There's no deadline. We're in no hurry.
In other news, I adapted a recipe from the Overwatch cookbook to make "bear scat" cookies for my D&D group tonight. For those not reading the D&D/Elf icon posts, basically last adventure we fought a mama bear, so this is just a silly reference to that. There is not bear poop in this recipe, only chocolate, peanut butter, honey, and rice crispies.
Image: round balls of chocolate, peanut butter, rice crispies, and honey.
Happy CATS!!
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Date: 2022-10-26 07:50 pm (UTC)(My cat turns into a FURRY GUIDED ATTACK MISSILE in the presence of other cats. We learned this when sheltering with
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Date: 2022-10-26 07:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-26 08:13 pm (UTC)Like I said: luckily we don't have anything better to do.
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Date: 2022-10-26 08:06 pm (UTC)Long ago I moved out to Massachusetts to be with David, bringing a Siamese cat and a white cat with me. A year or so later, we rented our basement bedroom to a friend, who brought a Siamese cat with him. My Sukey, the white cat, got along very well with both of them, but my brown cat could not stand the other Siamese cat. Our other housemate opined that MacHeath, my brown cat, did not like seeing his Doppelganger.
P.
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Date: 2022-10-26 08:13 pm (UTC)No liches or doppelgangers allowed!
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Date: 2022-10-27 03:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-27 01:51 am (UTC)Cats are uncanny, maybe he thought he saw his fetch!
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Date: 2022-10-27 03:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-27 03:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-27 04:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-26 08:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-26 08:15 pm (UTC)ALL ACCORDING TO FLYER. :-) (to be read in "All according to Keikaku" voice)
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Date: 2022-10-26 10:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-26 10:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-26 10:33 pm (UTC)Does Buttercup just get one whenever the other cats get one? Because I have a third cat who is all EXCUSE ME HELLO DID WE FORGET TO GIVE ME A TREAT if any other cat in the entire house gets food and he does not.
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Date: 2022-10-27 05:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-27 12:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-27 05:42 pm (UTC)