Cat mommy worries.
I would put this behind a cut, but the last time I did that no one but my best friends bothered to read it, which I don't mind but I'd like some advice on this one if there are any cat people reading it. Cheers folks. :)
I've been looking into volunteering opportunities in recent weeks. While it would make more sense to get some paid work when there is a wedding on the horizon (and I am sure I will find some eventually), volunteering gives me the chance to try new areas of work in which I may feel happier. Got enough savings for the wedding anyway.
There are two opportunities which I have found via bvsc.org which I am looking into. The first is a volunteer tutor role for Care First (http://www.carefirstltd.co.uk/), which caters for small groups of people with learning disabilities or other barriers to learning. This role is one to two days a week and requires 6 months minimum commitment. I can understand that, as it isn't fair to expect people with autism (as an example) to adjust to a variety of different tutors. There is the possibility of paid work after a successful voluntary placement, but quite frankly I'm very scared by the prospect of teaching again in any capacity. I have to overcome my anxiety otherwise I shall never get anywhere; I'm still waiting for the counselling which I was referred for in March, so no progress on that front. If I feel brave tomorrow I will see if I can arrange a visit to the Care First centre in Erdington to see what they do.
The other opportunity is with Cats Protection North Birmingham. I could do both jobs at the same time in theory. CP are looking for volunteers in all areas including helpline volunteers and a website and database administrator, which you do in the evenings using info received via email, two weeks on and two weeks off. I would love to volunteer with cats as it provides a common bond with other volunteers and members of the public. This would presumably be good for recovering my social skills. I got phone numbers for a couple of smaller charities from the vets. They're looking for foster carers and I've been talking to mr_pete about the possibility of converting the 'utility space' at the side of the house into a room where we could keep short term foster cats away from Hulky's territory (I can see handyman bright_raven's eyes lighting up now..!). Thing is, before I do anything with cats or cat charities I want to figure out and fix whatever is wrong with Hulky. I am really worried about him. Here's a list of 'symptoms' he's showing:
-Overgrooming his tummy and the inside of his back legs, which the vet believes may be a flea allergy however our flea control is very good. Here's a picture of what he does to himself:
-Worrying over his food bowl; pawing as if to cover it to return to it later. I have read this may be an effort to cover a smell around his food bowl that he finds unpleasant or an attempt to cover it so he can return to it later. It doesn't happen all the time - I am thinking perhaps he doesn't like wet food when it's from the fridge (though we do provide him with a choice of wet and dry and he sometimes refuses the dry).
-Over the last few days he has started masturbating with the blanket I keep on the sofa. I've never had a male cat before and this is a new one to me. I think this is linked to the food-related stress, because he refused food earlier and then went to look for the blanket straight away (which I had put in the wash).
This afternoon I've tried cleaning the area where we feed him (a quiet area under the stairs), putting a favourite rug next to his bowl so he can sit on it while he eats or even use it to cover the bowl if that's what he's trying to do, and removed the majority of our shoes in case they're offensive to him (though I would hope not!). ;) He sniffed the wet food from the fridge, sat on the rug and yowled at me while squarely placing his tail in the food bowl (saft sod!) then went to look for the blanket.
We are somewhat baffled by this behaviour because in every other way he seems to be a very happy cat; he enjoys sleeping, playing and having a fuss, and he has access to the outdoors as and when he wants it. He doesn't have a catflap but we open the door for him when he asks. Catflaps in themselves can cause stress as the cat perceives it as a weak point in his territory's defenses.
Has anyone tried those synthetic cat pheromone plug-ins? They're expensive and while I am prepared to try them I just wondered if anyone else has had any success with them? Any other advice appreciated too.
As a reward for getting through that, have some cat pictures:
*sigh* - Mommy why do you insist on taking my picture?
Giant Hulky!
Might be a bit big for you sweetheart! He loves watching programmes on birds. :)
He also loves playing 'shred the hand' with daddy. He always wins. :)
Think it's about time I made an album for him on facebook. Got more pictures of him than I have of me, anyway!
Thanks all.
*~K~*
I've been looking into volunteering opportunities in recent weeks. While it would make more sense to get some paid work when there is a wedding on the horizon (and I am sure I will find some eventually), volunteering gives me the chance to try new areas of work in which I may feel happier. Got enough savings for the wedding anyway.
There are two opportunities which I have found via bvsc.org which I am looking into. The first is a volunteer tutor role for Care First (http://www.carefirstltd.co.uk/), which caters for small groups of people with learning disabilities or other barriers to learning. This role is one to two days a week and requires 6 months minimum commitment. I can understand that, as it isn't fair to expect people with autism (as an example) to adjust to a variety of different tutors. There is the possibility of paid work after a successful voluntary placement, but quite frankly I'm very scared by the prospect of teaching again in any capacity. I have to overcome my anxiety otherwise I shall never get anywhere; I'm still waiting for the counselling which I was referred for in March, so no progress on that front. If I feel brave tomorrow I will see if I can arrange a visit to the Care First centre in Erdington to see what they do.
The other opportunity is with Cats Protection North Birmingham. I could do both jobs at the same time in theory. CP are looking for volunteers in all areas including helpline volunteers and a website and database administrator, which you do in the evenings using info received via email, two weeks on and two weeks off. I would love to volunteer with cats as it provides a common bond with other volunteers and members of the public. This would presumably be good for recovering my social skills. I got phone numbers for a couple of smaller charities from the vets. They're looking for foster carers and I've been talking to mr_pete about the possibility of converting the 'utility space' at the side of the house into a room where we could keep short term foster cats away from Hulky's territory (I can see handyman bright_raven's eyes lighting up now..!). Thing is, before I do anything with cats or cat charities I want to figure out and fix whatever is wrong with Hulky. I am really worried about him. Here's a list of 'symptoms' he's showing:
-Overgrooming his tummy and the inside of his back legs, which the vet believes may be a flea allergy however our flea control is very good. Here's a picture of what he does to himself:
-Worrying over his food bowl; pawing as if to cover it to return to it later. I have read this may be an effort to cover a smell around his food bowl that he finds unpleasant or an attempt to cover it so he can return to it later. It doesn't happen all the time - I am thinking perhaps he doesn't like wet food when it's from the fridge (though we do provide him with a choice of wet and dry and he sometimes refuses the dry).
-Over the last few days he has started masturbating with the blanket I keep on the sofa. I've never had a male cat before and this is a new one to me. I think this is linked to the food-related stress, because he refused food earlier and then went to look for the blanket straight away (which I had put in the wash).
This afternoon I've tried cleaning the area where we feed him (a quiet area under the stairs), putting a favourite rug next to his bowl so he can sit on it while he eats or even use it to cover the bowl if that's what he's trying to do, and removed the majority of our shoes in case they're offensive to him (though I would hope not!). ;) He sniffed the wet food from the fridge, sat on the rug and yowled at me while squarely placing his tail in the food bowl (saft sod!) then went to look for the blanket.
We are somewhat baffled by this behaviour because in every other way he seems to be a very happy cat; he enjoys sleeping, playing and having a fuss, and he has access to the outdoors as and when he wants it. He doesn't have a catflap but we open the door for him when he asks. Catflaps in themselves can cause stress as the cat perceives it as a weak point in his territory's defenses.
Has anyone tried those synthetic cat pheromone plug-ins? They're expensive and while I am prepared to try them I just wondered if anyone else has had any success with them? Any other advice appreciated too.
As a reward for getting through that, have some cat pictures:
*sigh* - Mommy why do you insist on taking my picture?
Giant Hulky!
Might be a bit big for you sweetheart! He loves watching programmes on birds. :)
He also loves playing 'shred the hand' with daddy. He always wins. :)
Think it's about time I made an album for him on facebook. Got more pictures of him than I have of me, anyway!
Thanks all.
*~K~*