New Savannah daddy...F1 Portia (4 yrs) & F2B Kaya (8 weeks)

[Laura W]

Way to go John & Portia I think you're making fantastic progress. There are folks here who have had a tougher time and way longer adjustment period -- just search for LauraW's posts. Heck, it took me 2 yrs to get my Maliik to stop giving me the stink eye just for living and to stop getting soaked in cat spit every single day from the force of his hisses.

LOL Gotta tell ya, it's a battle to get Echo to go in his room now. He is always out with us now and pretty much ignores the dogs. I am still the only one who can touch him and it's still on his terms, but he's asking pretty much every night for scratches and talks constantly, follows me around like a lost critter, sets in front of me at dinner time...little beggar...and still adores his kitten, Dolos.

Danny made the comment the other night that he's almost normal, except no one has ever seen him out but us. I swear he smells someone else and he refuses to come out of his room, which he still has. I wish he would ask Danny pet him the way he does me, it will happen in time and Danny gives him his space and has accepted that this is what he needs to do if he ever wants a relationship with Echo.

He will take food from Danny, but he's not gentle like he is with me. Once in a while he gets nippy and I just tell him to stop and he does. He has decided that it's now okay to jump up on the bed with me when I sleep in the spare room when one of us are ill or I'm tossing all night.

Did I mention I adore this boy??? He has his quirks, but that's part of what makes him my sweet boy that continues to make my heart feel warm.

 

[John Hemmerly]

LOL Gotta tell ya, it's a battle to get Echo to go in his room now. He is always out with us now and pretty much ignores the dogs. I am still the only one who can touch him and it's still on his terms, but he's asking pretty much every night for scratches and talks constantly, follows me around like a lost critter, sets in front of me at dinner time...little beggar...and still adores his kitten, Dolos.

Danny made the comment the other night that he's almost normal, except no one has ever seen him out but us. I swear he smells someone else and he refuses to come out of his room, which he still has. I wish he would ask Danny pet him the way he does me, it will happen in time and Danny gives him his space and has accepted that this is what he needs to do if he ever wants a relationship with Echo.

He will take food from Danny, but he's not gentle like he is with me. Once in a while he gets nippy and I just tell him to stop and he does. He has decided that it's now okay to jump up on the bed with me when I sleep in the spare room when one of us are ill or I'm tossing all night.

Did I mention I adore this boy??? He has his quirks, but that's part of what makes him my sweet boy that continues to make my heart feel warm.

Hey Laura....

That is great....I just like to listen to everybody's advice and read their stories....Portia and I are coming along...she is letting me lightly pet her when I hand feed her raw chicken (Bribe!)...lol! She now sits in her cat tree with me every night while I watch TV....I talk to her and let her know how much we love her and how beautiful she is....she is well worth the wait. Last night we heard a commotion in the kitchen....Portia had opened the cabinet under the sink and pulled out a 6 pack of sponges..she proceeded to open the package and pull out each sponge...she was throwing them up in the air and catching them, knocking them around and rolling around with them...I think she is getting comfortable...we are still in baby steps mode, but progress is definitely being made... Thanks Laura!

John

 

[John Hemmerly]

Portia on her throne.....looking over her Queendom....and baby Kaya in mommy's lap...

 

[WitchyWoman]

Portia is exquisite. Kaya is cute as can be and obviously knows how to "werk" it. My guys know when they go belly up I turn into mush and they unmercifully manipulate me that way.

 

[John Hemmerly]

Portia is exquisite. Kaya is cute as can be and obviously knows how to "werk" it. My guys know when they go belly up I turn into mush and they unmercifully manipulate me that way.

Ha...I know...it's pathetic....again I say, who owns who? They know how to push our buttons....they are the most amazing cats...like no other! Thanks for the compliments Deborah...Portia is more than beautiful...she is the cat I use for my avatar because she is Purrrfect!

J

 

[John Hemmerly]

Hey Deborah....sorry, I meant to tell you how beautiful your babies are....their spotting is amazing...thay are so beautiful...no wonder you are enslaved...

John

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

It seems to me that things are progressing very well, John, all will go well from now on I am sure! Just keep doing what you are doing.... giving those chicken bribes and letting Portia determine the contact

 

[John Hemmerly]

It seems to me that things are progressing very well, John, all will go well from now on I am sure! Just keep doing what you are doing.... giving those chicken bribes and letting Portia determine the contact

Thanks Brigitte....all of the advice I have gotten at SCC has been awesome...I let her determine everything....I have found patience that I dind't even know I had...she now likes to hang in the living room with me in her tree and still investigates constantly. She is curious at anything new and gets into cupboards and hall linen closets....I think she is realizing that this home is pretty cool...a lot of love, warm beds, room to roam and of course all the raw chicken she wants (ha!)...I will keep you all posted to any new breakthroughs....I feel ahead of schedule...very excited!

John

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

You are ahead of schedule, which is wonderful

But much of your success was finding that patience to just let Portia be... it is really hard to not TRY harder with a cat, but generally giving them that initial time and space to make up their own mind about the new situation brings better results. Also, being told it might take months can help... then you aren't so anxious and pushing for a response... and that lowers any perceived stress and again helps the process. We can put that stress out unconsciously too... and cats are so sensitive to it.

Just wanted to check, if Portia is getting the majority of her food intake as raw chicken, you are adding a supplement or no? It probably isn't important for a week or two, but over long term if a cat is eating a raw meat diet it is important to make sure there are supplements included...

 

[John Hemmerly]

You are ahead of schedule, which is wonderful

But much of your success was finding that patience to just let Portia be... it is really hard to not TRY harder with a cat, but generally giving them that initial time and space to make up their own mind about the new situation brings better results. Also, being told it might take months can help... then you aren't so anxious and pushing for a response... and that lowers any perceived stress and again helps the process. We can put that stress out unconsciously too... and cats are so sensitive to it.

Just wanted to check, if Portia is getting the majority of her food intake as raw chicken, you are adding a supplement or no? It probably isn't important for a week or two, but over long term if a cat is eating a raw meat diet it is important to make sure there are supplements included...

Yeah...I am letting her dictate everything....she can take as long as she wants....I definitely believe that cats can sense our stress..or our impatience...truely believe that...as for the food. She always has access to her Royal Canin...two different kinds as well as a can of Friskies meaty bits everyday....she is getting a lot of good vitamins and minerals....the raw chicken is just a treat from daddy...I can't resist. I don't give her too much. Just a few chunks to make her happy...and to bribe her for purely selfish reasons. Trying to bond with her, and gain her trust....

Thanks for caring though...it is nice to have people to help me through the bonding process with an adult F1....she is worth the wait. I want her by my side and on my lap...to sleep with us and be at my feet....I want that NOW, but she will dictate when that happens....and I am okay with that...

John