Hello Fellow Savannites

[Kristin]

The savannah community is amazing...I have tried to find groups like this for other animals of interest (don't even get me started on the parrot people -_- )
Very supportive and helpful with everything...heck they even helped me get my non-savannah foster kid back on track! And everyone notices how amazing he looks and acts now.

I love seeing the progress you are making with Zidi, it is heartening to see a frightful animal learning to trust her human. I wish there were more people like the folks on here

 

[Carykd7kau]

Well We are waiting with you Samantha. Wanting to hear all you exclamations of how cool the ne babies are. I agree with Witchy... "They are like potato chips..... Can't have just one."

 

[Carykd7kau]

Yes Kristin. I know what you mean. I am fortunate to have found the right combination of love and treats to bring my new little girl around. The head butts and body slams make it so worth while. And Good folks like you who give unselfishly of themselves to the little ones who need our help.

 

[John Campbell]

Let me be emotional for just a minute. You guys ( and gals ) and Kitties have NO IDEA how much y'all mean to me. I have not laughed so much and felt so close to so many in such a long time. The loss of my wife and all my previous kitties kinda left me numb. Now with my 2 new Savannahs and my new found support group I feel alive again.
Thank you all. I luv ya...

A Good laugh is good for the heart... If it were not for humor, the world would not be worth staying around for... sit back, enjoy, and cast a good laugh...

 

[Carykd7kau]

Azidi continues to request (demand) my presence in the room and the subsequent head butts body slams and petting requirements. She is obviously realizing it is pleasant, as she demands it constantly. She plays about 10 seconds for every 60 seconds of loving. And Purring..WOW. Constant purring when I am petting her. She does not purr when playing. Too busy breathing. She is sooo soft and silky. And her body is hard muscled. I am still a little unsure of her reaction. She has turned quickly as swiped at me while hissing. But I think it is when she feels trapped or cornered. So I am trying not to pet her in a way that feels to her like I am holding her. Just flat handed. Cept her tail. She love to have it pulled gently. I just wish you all could hear Azidi call.

Kilifi is still jealous, but I am playing with her and loving her too. She is forgiving. And I really think she wants Zidi to be out. (I hope, to be friends...)

The bonding continues.

 

[Patti]

When Azidi turns and swats at you it is most likely because she is over stimulated, her mother is like that as well. So the bottom line is, no matter how demanding and animated she becomes try to be calm, gentle, and slow with her so as not to give her more stimulation than she is already creating herself.

As for the two meeting face to face - I'm quite sure Kilifi can handle being in the cage for a few hours, just be sure to put some food, water, and a few toys in there for her. It may take more than one session of doing this. In fact, after putting Kilifi in there for a few hours you might try switching them out and putting Azidi in there while Kilifi runs around and sniffs every place Azidi has touched in the previous few hours.

If they still seem hostile after a few hours put Azidi away for the night and try again the next day. It doesn't have to be for hours - exposing them to each other even for 20-30 minutes at a time can be effective.

 

[Carykd7kau]

Ok Patti, thank you . Now that you tell me, it IS like she was overstimulated when she swats. After we have been playing and petting. So I will calm things down a bit
This morning she was wanting to come out. So I think the time is right. She is letting me be a little more "smothering" with her. 2 handed neck scratching and tail tugging. She is a sweet little energy. We are gonna be good friends. Already are to a degree.

 

[Carykd7kau]

OK. She let me pick her up. Sat on my lap for about 15 seconds. But I can tell that is not something she cares for. I am super careful with her as her claws are long and SHARP. For the most part she keeps them in, but when she gets spooked, all bets are off. I am more cautious of the claws than of her biting as she has not shown any attempts at that. But she is a very warm little kitty...It is just that she is a little hyper now. BUT, when I pet her, she purrs. a lot. Her ears are up and forward. Her tail is held high and is straight. She even lets me pet her while she is lying on her side. I feel good about us.
And she meows when I'm out of the room. And she meows .. and meows... and....

 

[Chris Elliott]

It seems that full length pets rev many cats up much more than just the head and neck. Especially those that wrinkle their coats just past their shoulders as you pet them.

Oni and Ziggy both enjoy a quiet hand resting on them for long periods. Oni and I will fall asleep that way, sometimes for much of the night. Jax just thinks it's weird.

 

[Chris Elliott]

Ziggy also turns and hisses and will sometimes bat at us or bite softly when overstimulated. We're slowly figuring out when he is and changing our behavior.

I'm at the same stage with Ziggy, re. Introductions. I'm picking up a crate from my son (who has three large dogs) and will be trying out the same techniques outlined above. I've tried some with a large cat carrier, but they really don't like being in it, so there's a lot of whining about that. Hoping a crate is easier on the one contained.

And congrats on the progress. The last few days have been amazing! You established a base of trust over the last weeks that is now rewarding you both.