So today I got all codie on a cat...
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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So today I got all codie on a cat...
He's a feral that's been hanging around here, I finally developed a rapport with him and he was even letting me pet him some. I have a real connection with him and he's just the sweetest little pathetic mess. He injured his foot some how out on the streets -- it was a bloody mess, and he needed to be neutered; today was the day I decided I was helping this cat whether he wanted it or not.
It started innocent enough, I pet him, feed him treats, slowly, slowly... I GRAB HIM! He FREAKS out. Running into walls, climbing curtains, beating his head against the window. He is a wild cat now, totally feral, the love is gone and I am the enemy. I'm trying to catch him to put him in a container to get him to the vet and he Is. Not. Going.
Two hours pass, I am still fighting with this cat. I have my fiance involved, we're cornering him, we have moved furniture, unscrewed and removed window guards, everything we can do to try to get this cat into a box. He fights us the entire time. This is our only chance, we will not get another shot at catching this cat. He is exhausted and panting, we are sweating and frustrated, I'm crying, alternating anger and sadness over how stressed and scared this cat is even though we're trying to help.
We tackle him and get a hold of the scruff, I've got him in the box!
He's at the vet now. The tests came back clean for FIV and he's getting antibiotic injections for his foot; he is now neutered. I was a sobbing mess all the way there and all the way home. I'm so scared that he will never love me again the way he used to, that he will never be the sweet kitty he was just hours ago that let me pet him and pick burrs out of his hair.
Now I'm preparing the house for his return, setting up a calm recovery room for him, getting everything situated just so to try to make him turn back into the cat that let me pet him and love him before he turned into a wild feral beast. While I'm doing this it strikes me:
This feels familiar!
I know it's what's best for him and his survival, and a cat cannot make his own medical decisions, but isn't it funny how the analogy fits? Thanks for letting me get it out. My emotions are on overdrive. I really want him to be okay.
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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At worst you'll have to release him and hope for the best. I guess that is often what happens with the addicts in our lives too.
You can probably get some advice from the vet about his chances of adjusting to domestication. The shelter that I work with has a trap-neuter-release program because the adult cats don't make good pets. Feral kittens can adapt though. When they are caught, they go to nurturing foster homes until they are old enough to be neutered and socialized enough for adoption. If you don't keep your kitty maybe you could consider becoming an animal foster parent. It's very rewarding.
You can probably get some advice from the vet about his chances of adjusting to domestication. The shelter that I work with has a trap-neuter-release program because the adult cats don't make good pets. Feral kittens can adapt though. When they are caught, they go to nurturing foster homes until they are old enough to be neutered and socialized enough for adoption. If you don't keep your kitty maybe you could consider becoming an animal foster parent. It's very rewarding.
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I have used the local Humane Society's TNR program in the past, and I even have a small live animal trap, I should have used it, I thought he was different. (There I go again!) Turns out he wasn't so different after all. He is young, though, can't be more than 6 months, I think that must be why he always let me touch him and pet him and wasn't as scared as the typical feral. Well, now I think that, before today I thought he may have initially even had a home. Boy was I wrong.
I do plan on releasing him after his initial recovery period is complete. Then it's in God's hands.
I do plan on releasing him after his initial recovery period is complete. Then it's in God's hands.
To thine own self be true.
Join Date: May 2009
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Hope he doesn't spray in your house. Do you have a cage? If so, you could throw an old sheet over it so if he sprays, it only hits the sheet.
6 months? I wonder if maybe you could keep him? I've watched youtube videos of coaxing the feral kittens with wet food day by day, until they warm up to you.
You are funny, though, with the analogy. Thanks for the smile interrupted.
6 months? I wonder if maybe you could keep him? I've watched youtube videos of coaxing the feral kittens with wet food day by day, until they warm up to you.
You are funny, though, with the analogy. Thanks for the smile interrupted.
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: New York
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We have a male formally feral cat. He was over one year old when my wife tricked him into a box. It took over a year for him to come around he hid so well in the basement that we named him Hudini. After about a year he started coming upstairs and sneaking around then one day he was sitting on the kitchen table meowing at my wife. He still doesnt love me and hates my dog but what a beautiful cat.
I was also feral when she took me in its been an eventful 18 years but we are all good now. Is she codie probably but can be a tough cookie when needed........works for us
I was also feral when she took me in its been an eventful 18 years but we are all good now. Is she codie probably but can be a tough cookie when needed........works for us
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Awwww
I laughed so hard at your descriptive writing about 'catching him', as I have
BTDT many times.
He is young enough, that he will probably tame down nicely and will forget
this 'traumatic' event in his young life. Food and attention and play toys do
wonders!!!!
And I thank you for rescuing one more, and for neutering him!
Love and hugs,
ps: I LOVED the analogy, so true!!!
I laughed so hard at your descriptive writing about 'catching him', as I have
BTDT many times.
He is young enough, that he will probably tame down nicely and will forget
this 'traumatic' event in his young life. Food and attention and play toys do
wonders!!!!
And I thank you for rescuing one more, and for neutering him!
Love and hugs,
ps: I LOVED the analogy, so true!!!
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 793
That is a GREAT story! And a perfect analogy for us all to meditate on...
Just last night I was walking with my younger daughter to a house where she's petsitting and we noticed a rather large bird struggling and flapping its wings across the street. It was a baby hawk and it could not fly and seemed to have other issues. We sat with it for awhile, made some calls, and looked up the Raptor Rescue website...We did everything they said to do, got it safely in a cat carrier, and put it in a quiet dark place until we could bring it to the center this morning. Sadly, the little guy expired in the night. I am about to go bury him in my garden.
The irony for me was that my AD was home visiting, and brought along a man who she met in rehab, who makes me anxious for lots of reasons. My going along with my youngest was to avoid being there...then I walk down the street and rescue an ailing wild bird! And on top of all this, my sweet husband was just arriving home from his very first AA meeting! He was a little maxed out by the home scene, poor guy.
Just had to share my own little animal rescue story from last night, Interrupted! I hope it makes you all smile!
Just last night I was walking with my younger daughter to a house where she's petsitting and we noticed a rather large bird struggling and flapping its wings across the street. It was a baby hawk and it could not fly and seemed to have other issues. We sat with it for awhile, made some calls, and looked up the Raptor Rescue website...We did everything they said to do, got it safely in a cat carrier, and put it in a quiet dark place until we could bring it to the center this morning. Sadly, the little guy expired in the night. I am about to go bury him in my garden.
The irony for me was that my AD was home visiting, and brought along a man who she met in rehab, who makes me anxious for lots of reasons. My going along with my youngest was to avoid being there...then I walk down the street and rescue an ailing wild bird! And on top of all this, my sweet husband was just arriving home from his very first AA meeting! He was a little maxed out by the home scene, poor guy.
Just had to share my own little animal rescue story from last night, Interrupted! I hope it makes you all smile!
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Colorado
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Hahaha! I laughed so hard I almost peed when I read this! I did it too with two grown completely feral cats I found on the side of the road! I felt so bad for them and wanted to save them from a life of filthy starving misery... I didn't even think of it as a codie thing but that just tickles me to no end. BTW, it IS possible to change a cat, just not a person esp an addict LOL! It took me a whole year to change those dang cats though but so worth it because now they are as sweet as can be! Good luck & you rock for doing the right thing and getting him fixed!
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Loved the story, and you told it so well that it was almost a screenplay. Maybe it was a screenplay. Hope the little feral recuperates quickly, but I think if it was me, I don't know after he recuperates if I could let him go.
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Join Date: May 2010
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Such a great great story....I was laughing so hard. Had a couple of been there done that moments too.
Anyway, a 6 month old kitty can be like putty in your hands if you can charm it.....and cuddle it! They are way simpler than humans. I just rescued one myself from living in multiple shelters......he is really really sweet.....once he decides it is ok to be held.....a daily decision on his part.
Thank you....and I think a great illustration of codie behavior!!!!
Anyway, a 6 month old kitty can be like putty in your hands if you can charm it.....and cuddle it! They are way simpler than humans. I just rescued one myself from living in multiple shelters......he is really really sweet.....once he decides it is ok to be held.....a daily decision on his part.
Thank you....and I think a great illustration of codie behavior!!!!
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