First Contact and Negotiations Begin

[lavendertook]

When we left off, it was Saturday night, the last night of Chanuka, and I had just brought Pecan Pie home and set her up in the bathroom for the night with beds and plenty of toys, and she was a happy kitten with a constant motor boat purr, though she'd try to walk out every time I came to the bathroom during the night.

Comments

[just_ann_now]

We did everything wrong, where you seem to be doing everything right *grin* Spur of the moment cat adoption. "Look, Jenna, here's a new friend for you! " "Hell no", said Jenna. She would attack Natalie at every opportunity - we had to keep them completely separate. Natalie lived in my husband's office (and therefore adores him and is his constant companion.) The situation resolved itself after 10 months when Jenna, who had a heart condition, passed away. She died at home, and I let Natalie see and sniff the body. But Natalie's personality blossomed immediately, like, that very day - now she's a very friendly, talkative catty. We've promised her she'll remain an only cat, though - none of us want to go through that experience again.

Edited to add: Jenna was 11 and Nat was 4. Maybe Jenna would have done better with a kitten? Who knows.

You are doing everything right! I can't wait to see how this situation is resolved.

(I came back early from my trip; if the world was going to be falling apart, I wanted to be at home for it, rather than away.)

[lavendertook]

Awwwwww!!!! Poor Jenna, but glad Natalie got a chance to bloom. Most cats are less flexible in their senior years, so it's harder to get them to take to a new cat, but I think the less dominant a personality the new one is, the better. I started out being a one cat woman, because they bond tighter with you when solo, but I've come to think it's better for them if they have a cat companion--it's a matter of getting the chemistry right, and giving them a slow intro. If you have a cat who needs to be Number 1, then you can get them a companion who doesn't need that--but you're best getting them from a foster who really knows their personality to help you avoid getting a closet diva. If you decide you want to try to get another, I'd be glad to help with cat mediation tips. (-:

[just_ann_now]

♥