laurie

*sigh* It looks like we are returning Peaches the cat to the rescue from
which we adopted her last January. If you'll recall, she is the 17-lb + cat
we adopted after we had to euthanize Sinbad after 20 years. Peaches is
around 9 years old and a "love sponge" as Jon likes to call her. She is
pretty much his cat and has lived in his room almost exclusively since
arriving.

Mischief, our 12 year old cat raised from a kitten with Sinbad - is a total
witch to Peaches, and relations remain frosty after 8 months. Poor Peaches
has pretty much lived under Jon's or my bed, coming out to eat and use the
litter box. Mischief would go after her any time she saw her and chase her
back into Jon's room. Peaches sleeps with Jon as Mischief sleeps with me.
Mischief would never even allow her in my room. The temporary litterbox in
our guest/Jon's bath has become permanent as it was clear Mischief wouldn't
allow Peaches access to the back of the house to my bathroom so they could
never share the primary litterbox as Sinbad and she did.

After a couple months here as she finally ventured out from behind Jon's
bookcase, Peaches began to use the toilet in my living room (gag - cat poop
is sooooo gross) so we put up a child gate and blocked off that part of the
house from her. She's too big to leap it but Mischief does with ease.
Finally Nature's Miracle'd THAT smell out. But in the last month and a half
she's taken to using Jon's room as her litterbox with increasing frequency -
and now I have to replace the carpeting in there. The vet says classic
passive aggressive behavior in this situation.

Bunny poop wars pale in comparison to this. I won't even let Jon sleep in
his room anymore and after ensuring there's no physical problem with Peaches
and talking to the rescue, we are returning her first thing Monday morning
to the rescue's vet...

I'm sick about it. Jon's very upset. I just don't know what else to do or
try. Please, if you can spare some good vibes for Peaches - she needs a
loving home as an only kitty with humans who are there to give her the love
she craves. I HATE to do this to her, but I'm at my wits end and it's gotten
just plain unsanitary.

*sigh*

Laurie

rhonda

Hi Laurie,

Oh yes, I know about trying to be somewhat sanitary. We have 10 pets and
it can be a struggle to keep ahead of them.

I'm sorry you guys are going through this. I have to hope there is
something that can yet be done. Is there a litter box in Jon's room? If
so, have you tried adding a bigger one or more in different areas?

We adopted a 10 year old cat (on his last day at the Humane Society)
last year. He was fine at first, then decided to start peeing on our
bed. I was at my wit's end, washing bedding all the time. Finally, we
had to shut the door on that room. Eventually, I started leaving it open
but laid a large piece of plastic over the entire bed during the day,
then shut the door at night again. After a few weeks, I put the plastic
on half of the bed. When I knew I could trust him with half, I gave him
more space. We have been pee-free for quite awhile! Just had to break
that cycle. Don't know if you could do something like that in Jon's room.

Also, I'll bet if your cats could somehow get more "bonded", the litter
box issues would be better. You might try posting the situation on cat
newsgroups, if you haven't already. They should be able to help. It's
been awhile since I've checked those, but there was a rec.pets.cats and
alt.cats, I think. There were several, anyway.

I hope there's still a way to make things work out so you all are happy.
I'm sure it would be hard for Jon (and you!) to see her go, and I know
it's not easy for find a home for an older cat. I hope the groups can help!

Good luck,

Rhonda

rabbitrouser1

That is such a shame, Laurie.

Is it possible to make Peaches an
outdoor cat?

Other than that, I can see you have
no choice but to take her back or
find her another home.

A few poops here and there are one thing
but, you can't live in unsanitary conditions,
either.

Daryl

Bucky, Jackie, Mouse, Junior, Sasha & Patches!

mixter

laurie, after 8 months of trying you shouldn't feel guilty. of course, i
know i would too but rest assured you gave it more than enough time. poor
peaches will be happier if she is in a home where she won't have to hide
under the bed. you're doing a good thing gf. put your mind at ease.

mickey

nhu

i hope peaches find a good home, laurie you do your best.
Nhu

roniebunny

That would be cruel - considering how SCARED she is of Sinbad! She would never
survive outdoors. And i wouldn't even do that in TX with over 100 degree temps
for days at a time. Euthanizing is more humane then being an outdoor cat in
her case! she isn't ferral, she's a loving smush cat...... SIGHHHH

I'm sure the rescue will take her back. If i remember it's not a kill
shelter....


Ronie CAHT, Billie, Poofdarina, Rufus, Ling and Milton
http://community.webshots.com/user/roniebunny
http://hometown.aol.com/roniebunny/home.html

roniebunny

I meant Mischief - sorry laurie!


Ronie CAHT, Billie, Poofdarina, Rufus, Ling and Milton
http://community.webshots.com/user/roniebunny
http://hometown.aol.com/roniebunny/home.html

rabbitrouser1

Maybe so. I had an indoor/outdoor
cat once, just thought it was a good
idea.

Guess not.

Daryl

Bucky, Jackie, Mouse, Junior, Sasha & Patches!