Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: sheilarose on May 28, 2013, 23:26:59 PM
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Poor little black boy, not quite grown into his ears and paws so thinking he's under 1 year old.
OH has named him Sooty, in accordance with our unimaginative naming policy :-[ .
He's not doing well on the outside as he's long haired. Been around for a week or so now. He's skinny, starving and terrified, not surprising since he gets beaten up by Tufty every time he spots him feeding in our garden. Keeping the two apart is a real challenge :doh: No reports on the usual websites of a missing black boy in the area, so a chip check needs to be done.
Need to borrow a trap and get this youngster in front of a vet asap. He was sitting in our garden playtent most of the day today trying to stay dry but was utterly drenched and being bullied from all sides :( .
Starting this thread to act as a diary for him, will try and get a photo tomorrow if I can convince Tufty, Theo and Polly (yes, POLLY!) to leave him alone.
Leant my trap out to someone last year and never got it back >:( but I think there's one at the local paint recycling centre I've borrowed before, I'll see if I can find their number in the morning.
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Fingers crossed he's somebody's loved and lost pet and that he's chipped :crossed: He's certainly wandered into the right garden though, must have a sixth sense :hug:
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Good luck in helping the poor guy out. :(
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Good luck. What a poor little lad getting stuck out in this weather.
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:( :(
Good luck Sheila.
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So sorry to hear this Sheila. Poor little lad :(
I very much hope you can trap the young chap and get him checked out quickly. Fingers firmly crossed he is chipped and being missed by his family :( :(
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Thanks everyone, I found the e-mail address of the lady with the trap and have sent her a message - hope she's still got it. The last time I needed it was for Tufty, the time before that I asked the animal warden to lend me one but his job was axed in the Council cuts, and prior to that I borrowed one from RSPCA Cheshunt. :( If I don't get a reply today I'll be ringing local rescues to borrow one.
No sign of Sooty so far this morning, hope he managed last night as the local big bully cat was in my garden at midnight causing chaos. >:(
Rosella, he's a mini Groucho :Luv:
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Good luck Sheila. If you don't have any joy by the end of the week let me know as I'm going to the Scratching Post on Sunday to help socialise some of the cats and I'll ask them. You're not a million miles from there are you so I can probably drop it over ?
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Thanks Louise, if I don't get a trap, or the promise of one this morning I'll be looking this afternoon, it's my last day working from home so time is of the essence as I'll be tied up in meetings for the rest of the week. OH has an easier week so he will be on trap watch. :shify:
I'm in E17. Maybe I could nip up and borrow one of theirs if I can namedrop you? Happy to leave a deposit.
I've cleared the space under my garden bench so if someone does go in the trap for a few hours at least it's dry under there.
I've prepared a lovely bowl of wet food laced with Capstar. Need Sooty to show his face now, so I've positioned myself with a view over the back fence, but Evil Cat has also positioned himself with a view :doh: .
At least the rain's held off for now.
God my lot are frisky/jumpy this morning - whatever has got into everybody??
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Not sure if name dropping me will do much good - I've only been doing it a couple of weeks so don't really know anyone :rofl: but the best way to get in touch for me so far has been by email.
The girls were known as Bib and Tucker so probably best to name drop them !
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Rosella, he's a mini Groucho :Luv:
I guessed as much from description :Luv2: :( :(
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Hope you manage to catch him, Sheila. :hug:
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Hope you catch him Sheila :hug:
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Oh, poor little Sootyboy, I do hope that you are able to trap him - and that he is soon reunited with a loving family!
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Not been near today :(
Tufty has been on guard duty all day, and after the beating Sooty took from him last night I'll not be surprised if Sooty's decided to look elsewhere. :scared:
Keep the faith, it's only one day since he was last seen, and we're off for a walk around the village in a minute as the weather has picked up so we might spot him en route. :crossed:
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Good luck!
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I hope you can catch Sooty soon :hug: Poor little boy :(
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No sign of the little guy for two days now :scared: I think he's moved on. Will keep looking for him but I'm really quite sad about this. :(
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maybe the better weather will bring him out
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I hope you catch Sooty very soon.
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Sooty is back, spotted at 7.30 tonight on the back fence. :-: Unfortunately it was Tufty who spotted him :doh: and alerted me with an unusual chirping I've not heard from him before.
He couldn't get to the food I put out, but he knows its there. Fingers crossed he'll come back again later. Tufty is the barrier. >:(
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So pleased you have seen him.................maybe Tufty likes him ;D
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So pleased you have seen him.................maybe Tufty likes him ;D
Nice idea Gill but Tuffers beat the crap out of him on Tuesday so they're unlikely to be friends. You know Tufty, nothing between the ears but loves a scrap :boxer:
Sooty is rusty - his should-be black coat is rusty brown from the shoulders down to his tail and he's all knotted, he must be really uncomfortable. I know he didn't get the capstar the other day so is still probably covered in fleas and wormy too. Not at his best to be living outdoors. :( Hopefully he's grabbing a mouthful from my ever-full biscuit bowl on the shed roof and its not attracting too much attention from foxes and evil cat. :shify:
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Sasa went ginger all over when she decided to live outside, reckoned it was something to do with the clay bed although the clay looks yellow.
Poor boy sounds like he has been out for quite a while.
It took months for Sasa to get the ginger colour gone.
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Good luck Sheila. If you don't have any joy by the end of the week let me know as I'm going to the Scratching Post on Sunday to help socialise some of the cats and I'll ask them. You're not a million miles from there are you so I can probably drop it over ?
Louise, I'm in E17 is that feasible for you? If so, can I take you up on this offer please? My other contact at the paint recyclers hasn't got back to me, so I think she's moved on.
As Sooty's turned up tonight still looking needy I do want a trap. Happy to repay any deposit they require. PM me for address, phone no. etc? Don't worry if they say "No", I have other avenues - just a little farther afield. Cheers!
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I'm definitely going on Sunday - will keep you posted. I want to see the lady who runs it as I want to talk to her about the rather lovely Simba. If I can get hold of them in the morning I'll let you know. If not it will be Sunday if that's ok.
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Thanks Louise, no pressure OK? He's getting food and seems to be sticking around for now. :thanks:
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So glad he is still around! If he is matted then it sounds as if he has been out overwinter. Remember Lia the service station cat? She was long haired and had been out for 3 months and her fur was still in pretty good condition with just a couple of tiny matts under her chin, so it sounds to me as if this poor mite has been out all winter and got his fur all wet and knotted :'(. Fingers crossed that you can catch him very soon x x
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No answer at the moment so I've sent a mail.
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It's my arty neighbour's garden party and art exhibition today so we'll be on high alert for the little fella in her garden. :innocent:
Do you think she'll mind if we fetch up with a bottle of bubbly and a bowl of cat biscuits? :evillaugh: :evillaugh:
Louise I'll PM you my mobile number, if you do manage to get approval for a trap I don't want you to feel obliged to go all the way to SP on my behalf as I have transport.
Simba eh? :shify: :shify: ;D
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Keep checking here to see if you managed to catch him Sheila, finger crossed . :hug: :hug:
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We don't need Spring watch, we have Sooty watch. 8)
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I'm glad that the little chap has shown up again. Heres hoping that you manage to get a trap, and him in it, PDQ!
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No sign of Sooty yet today - the garden party was a huge success and Arty neighbour has sold two paintings AND raised £1000 for her charity! :wow:
Keeping my hopes up and camera handy for Sootywatch. :shify: :pic:
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Dammit, just missed him - he devoured some kibble from a bowl I left on the shed roof, then sauntered off along the fence. :doh: Meant to get some wet food with capstar inside him, but at least he's feeding here, and is looking better and more confident tonight. :)
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Well having sent poor Louise on a mission to find a trap for Sooty, and contacted many folk to see if I could borrow one, we've come up with nowt.
It occurred to me that I lent my own folding trap out to a Purrs member a couple of years back then lost track of her, and wondered if her PM still worked. Well it did - she got back to me straight away to say she's still got it!
Yayy! Not only that but she also has a huge covered litter box that she needed rid of, this now has pride of place in the garden as a new kennel for Sooty. Trap now set... :waiting: I wonder who we'll catch first? Well it is Tufty's birthday :shify:
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Good trapping vibes being sent Sheila this week I have had a fox, two magpies and Master Harvey not Miss raven who I am after
Lovely day here but busy having been to the tip, Tesco, M & S and cut and shifted 2 acres of grass and clippings respectively ably helped by the Clan Dogs Sky, Sunny and Mist who bless him runs every strip and rounds up the lawnmower also the Clan cats helped by playing in the grass clippings but all cut now
Will be back later as my tea is now ready
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Great news ;D
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Thanks Liz, sounds thrilling!
Have just spent twenty minutes in the company of Sooty (in the absence of Tufty who is out on his birthday bash elsewhere) while he stuffed 2 bowls of Felix AGAIL laced with Capstar. :sneaky: He walked around the trap twice but would not go in. Might not need it though...
He sniffed my fingers (deftly rubbed with catnip leaf) but wouldn't let me touch him. Definitely not feral :phew: . He likes his new "kennel" and ate two catnip leaves when I put them down for him, before treating me to a show of his belly - rather knotty and matted. I can see he has a runny eye which is causing him some irritation but otherwise looks pretty happy. He's very talkative, ppprrrrrppping his way around the garden whilst marking everything in sight. :doh:
Considering this is our first " date" I think he'll be back tomorrow night, don't you?
Posting him on NPR and animalsearch tonight, now I have some piccies. He's a very good model. :)
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He's a lovely chap.
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Brilliant news Sheila. He looks very cute.
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He is very cute, smaller than average but his feet are big so I do think he's a youngster. Here's a better representation of his size - his tail is magnificent and definitely too big for his skinny wee body. :Luv:
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:catluv: :catluv: :catluv: His twin lives in Brum :wow:
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Pleased to hear he's re-appeared and seems to be quite trusting of you already (cats have a sixth sense as we know :) ). Now for the dream ending we just need him to be someone's loved, lost and chipped pet!
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What a handsome boy ;D
Careful with catnip fingers, I tried that once and was attacked :innocent:
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Awww bless, he looks young and lovely :Luv2: :Luv2: Not long before sharing the sofa with Tufty club ;)
And Happy Birthday Tufty :)
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Pav, I think sharing the sofa is perhaps a wish too far - these two do not get on. :-:
Sooty seems fine with the girls though and will share a catnip leaf with Polly and Pursley so there's a chance he's lived with other cats before :-: It might just be his manly scent, though, Polly and Pursley might be old ladies now but can still appreciate having a young buck around. :shy:
I had a response to my local "lost cat" post, a lady lost her cat Jackson last year and wants me to let her know the chip check outcome, even though Sooty is almost certainly not Jackson - his features are quite different - I'll keep in touch with her as she may decide to offer Sooty a home. :sneaky:
The NPR and AnimalSearchUK posts have also been submitted and the ASUK one is already showing. Fingers crossed everyone.
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I'm glad he came back, Sooty is a gorgious hunk. Could be part Coon or Norweign Forest Cat, that tail does look similar to theirs?
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Bit of a setback today, first we caught next doors cat Spike in the trap then Sly managed to hurt his foot quite badly and had to be rushed to the vet! :scared: Thank goodness I was here.
His injury is not related to the trap (we think he's jumped off the shed and caught his wobbly leg in the trellis on the way down) but Sly is confined to barracks until Friday so we've had to postpone plans of trapping Sooty until Sly has recovered.
Sly should be OK but as he's in some pain at the moment I don't want him upset further by bringing another tom indoors. Poor Sooty will have to wait until then. :sigh:
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Well no sooner had I hit the send button than OH shouted me into the kitchen that Sooty is on the fence looking down at the trap, he thinks we can do this....
so we did it. Dashed out, re-set the trap, baited it with Hills prescription CD (only the smelliest oiliest biscuits I could lay hands on quickly) and dashed back in to watch from the window.
A minute later he's in the trap, unconcerned by it clanging closed behind him, as he filled his cute little face with biscuits.
I let him finish his biscuits and realise his position before chucking a blanket over the cage and transferring him to the bathroom.
He let me open the trap patiently then bolted out and did the usual circuit of the room defying gravity and sending stuff flying, but within a minute or two he was in his new cat carrier (complete with blanket) and locked safely in, allowing me to sort out a litter tray and fresh food.
He's a stinker - the auspicious Tom Cat smell is already pervading the rest of the house (not as bad as Tufty or the Chubster, though I must admit) but he's a little love. He does big blinks and let me stroke his head, neck and gently scratch his enormous ears. :Luv:
All the above in less than 30 minutes, so far he's a very, very good kitty.
There's a vet appointment ready for him tomorrow morning. I'm going to ask if I can work from home to keep a lid on all this. :tired:
Whoever wanted a quiet life. Starting to feel like a mad cat woman a :shify:gain.
OH has decided he's not a Sooty any more so is searching the internet for black cat names, so far has come up with Dibbly or Darth - guess he's on D then. :doh:
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Congrats on your new bathroom resident, have to say I leave mine in dog crates in the garage and puppy training pads are great for that use
Good luck with the vets visit tomorrow and congrats on your new foster baby ;D
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Sorry to hear about poor Sly's leg :care: Hope it doesn't give him too much bother :hug:
Delighted to hear that Sooty Snowy has been captured though - here's hoping for a chip tomorrow but am guessing that's unlikely if he's not even neutered :shy: :tired:
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Oh Sheila. I'm so very sorry to hear about poor Sly. Sounds so very painful for the poor little fella :care: :care: :care:
Am naturally made up that "Sooty" is stinking up your bathroom :hug: :hug: :hug: Our lot were chipped along time before they were neutered Helen so it's just possible that he went AWOL before he was due to be neutered and after being chipped.
At least we can only hope so but we'll see soon enough thanks to Sheila's valiant efforts :clap:
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BTW Sheila, when Groucho were a wee boy, some crazy cat ladies were trying to get me to name him Greebo http://discworld.wikia.com/wiki/Greebo ....
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Thanks Liz, I've got a puppy pad under his blanket. ;)
Cheers Helen, Rosella and all his fan club, Sly is knocked out with a metacam jab so is quite happy tonight, his poor foot is badly bruised and some tearing to the skin but until the swelling goes down the vet can't tell if he's also pulled a ligament in his ankle joint (it's not his cruciate thank God!).
My instinct is to treat Sooty/Snowy/Darth/Frank?? as a TNR candidate and just neuter him straight away (presuming he's not chipped of course) but although I've been searching the local and national websites for ten days or so now, and finding nothing, his photos have only been on-line for two days.
Thoughts anyone?
(Oh yes I remember Terry Pratchetts Greebo, wasn't he Nanny Ogg's cat who she transformed into a superhero/villain?)
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Poor Sly sending him lots of healing vibes :hug: :hug:
I think a lot of crazy cat ladies were trying lots of other names with Groucho lol
I hope Sooty will be dealt with soon and gets a great name...............like Sooty :innocent:
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OH poor Sly :( Sending some healing vibes his way :hug: :hug:
Great news that Sooty is safe in your bathroom and hope the vet visit goes well, there is a chance he is chipped and the owner didn't get to or did not want to have him spayed like the stray ginger i rescued two years ago and Mayhew agreed to take in and re home only to find out he was chipped and once contacted the owner he said he did not want his cat to be neutered! >:( Well he was neutered and rehomed as the owner didnt bother to turn up and collect him :(
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I would neuter, tidy up his hair give him a full set of boosters and an ID Chip to you this is what I do with anything that turns up here its the best we can do but if anything happens I do hear back as my vets scan everything should the worst happen and always phone me to check if it was one of my strays that hadn't been caught yet
Missed the part on Sly sending get well vibes for all of us here
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Quiet night, young Alvin (I like) or Thornton (OH is insisting :-[ ) has been really good, he's now hungry and vocal.
The vet opens at 8.30, if I'm first on the line he should get his appointment pretty quickly.
But Thornton ?
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Now now Sheila, cats with names don't move on. Isn't that a well known fact? :-: That's what happened with Grouchie lad anyway ;)
Fingers firmly crossed that young fella is chipped but, if not, I agree with Liz that I'd do the deed as soon as vet will allow. Also agree that dematting and chipping to you whilst he is under is a good idea. Groucho had a bit of a haircut around nether regions some weeks ago following a poo/hairball problem and doesn't look at all bad so might also be an idea. Boosters too if vet thinks he is well enough (watery eye). He may need ABs of course to? Am thinking what would I want to happen to the little fella if he were family and that's about it.
I am well up for helping with vet cost Sheila as I feel a bit of an affinity to this lad altho no room to take on any more fluff balls atm :( Just PM. Mean it :hug:
Best of luck with vet visit :hug: :hug: :hug:
Thank heavens for metacam. Sending get well vibes for our Sly boy. Sounds so very painful :( :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Thanks Rosella, what a kind person you are ;D but OH has "volunteered" to sponsor this little man as it was his idea to bring him in.
Still yet to get the chip scanner on him. :crossed: he's too sweet not to be somebody's pet.
He's sitting in the carrier now - he let me pick him up and pop him in, bless him. Managed to get a quick feel of his plumage and he's pretty knotty with bits of sticks and dried poo stuck to his fluffy trousers so he will need a clip up.
Like Tufty was, his long coat is against him being an outside cat so TNR not looking viable. I'll see what Neil says about neutering him today - he's pretty pragmatic usually and still no reports of a missing cat meeting his description locally or nationally.
Alvin... hmmm. What's in a name? Commitment, that's what. :shy:
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WTG to you both for catching Sooty/Thornton (I take that it's after the chocolates?). I did know of someone with a cat a spitting image of Sooty but he must have died years ago and would have come from Blackheath, that cat's name was Jaz. I don't keep in contact with the owner anymore so I don't know if his still in the land of the living nor if he had gone missing.
Sorry to hear of poor Sly's accident, I'm sending lots of healing thoughts and hope it's nothing serious.
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Sheila! He is gorgeous. Welll done.
Are you hoping that maybe he isn't chipped and may be accepted into the Tufty Club at some point?
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Glad you've caught him ;D But Thornton? :shify: If you're going to name him after chocolate ;) at least name him after something decent :shify: Like Pischanaki - the 100% dark chocolate from Peru that I'm savouring as I type :rofl: Where does Alvin come from?
Poor Sly - I hope his leg is ok :hug:
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He is isn't he :Luv:
Let me pick him up with only the feeblest protest, and pop him in his carrier. Bless, His fluffy trousers are caked in dry mud, poop and sticks so he needs a good clip up. Good as gold though, I think he's a softy.
There is no chip. He's unneutered - fully intact said the very wide eyed VN (who has fallen for him as he's also the image of her cat) so he's having his Op today followed by microchip (half price offer for June, Gettin!) primary vaccinations and a Milbemax.
Phew, poor kid should be ready for collection by 4.30pm today.
The sharp-eyed amongst you will have noticed the title change. OH decided Sooty wasn't PC enough (it hadn't even occurred to me that cats were bothered about such things) and "Thornton" - being the town I was brought up - is nice but not right for him, so I've chosen Alvin - after my second favourite British rocknroller (well it would be tempting fate to name a cat Shakey!).
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aww well done alvin, couldn't have dropped by at a better garden in london (well pavs possibly!!)
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Alvin's a great name - sending him and you lots of :gold stars: and these :star1:
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So Alvin it is! ;D
If I had a black cat I think I'd name him Inky after the first cat I, erm.. purloined :shify: In my early 20s I was living in a bedsit at the top of a large house and tenants on the ground floor acquired a black kitten who soon made his way up to the top floor and decided my place was more fun than his place. The toys and treats I bought for him probably had a lot to do with that :-[ but I hasten to add I didn't shut the door so he was free to come and go as he chose - he just chose to be with me most evenings so his slaves usually ended up climbing several flights of stairs to come looking for him :rofl: Technically he was my first cat ;)
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I'm glad he came back, Sooty is a gorgious hunk. Could be part Coon or Norweign Forest Cat, that tail does look similar to theirs?
I was thinking Wedgie myself - don't Maine Coons have a very straight nose? Alvin definitely has a dip in his, and it's very very cute.
He has slightly emphasised tufts on his ears but his most extraordinary feature is his forehead whiskers! They're so long and beautifully curled, never seen anything like it. Need to check some websites.
Also his coat seems to be more woolly than silky. Tufty is the worlds silkiest cat but although Alvin's fur is similar in length it's quite different in texture.
Guess I'll be working late tonight to make up a day's work. :-[
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Oh dear, poor Sly! I do hope that his injury soon mends :hug:
We done for catching Alvin and getting him to the vets. He looks, and sounds, a real sweetie; thank you for looking after him.
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So pleased to learn of your progress with Alvin Sheila (though less good news about poor Sly's injury, gawd love him!)
BTW Sheila, when Groucho were a wee boy, some crazy cat ladies were trying to get me to name him Greebo http://discworld.wikia.com/wiki/Greebo ....
:innocent: Dont know who would've come up with such an idea, I'm sure I don't. Although, in fairness to whoever that clearly insane person was, Nanny Ogg was a very good judge of character, and Greebo was a very - erm - charismatic cat. :-:
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Now Sheila are you absolutely sure about the name Alvin? It's just that you have a Theodore already so this means you need to acquire a 'Simon' to complete the set :naughty: (If it's not your era then google it but whatever you do DON'T watch any youtube vids as you will be humming the themetune for years :evillaugh: )
Joking aside I'm pleased to hear that things have gone smoothly for Alvin, although it;s a shame he's not chipped for the ultimate happy ending :shy:
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He's come through his op with no issues at all: neutered, chipped, wormed (needed worming badly apparently), jabbed, spruced up and ready to come home. ;D
Need to google that one Helen, I'm clearly too old to know about this trio. ;)
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Now Sheila are you absolutely sure about the name Alvin? It's just that you have a Theodore already so this means you need to acquire a 'Simon' to complete the set :naughty: (If it's not your era then google it but whatever you do DON'T watch any youtube vids as you will be humming the themetune for years :evillaugh: )
Joking aside I'm pleased to hear that things have gone smoothly for Alvin, although it;s a shame he's not chipped for the ultimate happy ending :shy:
:rofl: :rofl: ......It was my era!!!!! :evillaugh: ;) ;D LOVE The Chipmunks!!! :wow:
I hope he settles in very well with you - we have a stray too who we are feeding, a young tabby, such a sweet face, has been looking very skinny but improving now on our regular fppd 8)
We have named him Bogey.. :shy:
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Awwwwwwwwwwww he's just DDG Sheila :catluv:
Hope he doesn't hold anfink agin ya for too long re all this jabbing n poking n prying he's had to endure in the last 24 hours :hug:
Also hope his hormones calm down real quick :faint:
There's no way we cudda resisted that young fella if he turned up in our garden.
May you all have many very happy years together :) :) :)
A few more :gold stars: for you and hubby :wow:
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Well done Alvin is a great name and so pleased he has had all the works now ;D ;D ;D
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Congratulations on Alvin and him getting through such a anxious day. I can imagine what his going to be like at home, I hope you like a vocal cat :rofl: maybe his part Siamese.
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Brought Alvin straight in to the front room with us, locked down and no other cats. Well he jumped out of his carrier and had a good sniff round, jumped up at the glazed panels of the internal door and hung there until OH gently lifted him off and told him he was ok, not to worry everything was going to be just fine from now on, then he headed for the biscuits and went to sleep on the hi-fi cabinet.
He's been there ever since, half asleep, watching, dozing, spread out like a little bearcub with his paws over his eyes. :Luv: Every now and again he flips over and lets out a long ppprrrrrrpppp and nods off again.
Sly came in to see what was so smelly, but didn't hang about. He took his metacam like a lollypop then wobbled off walking for all the world as if his foot was back to normal - which it isn't but it's half the size it was yesterday :)
Polly popped in but didn't hang around, Beau came for his Dreamies then left too. All fleeting visits but no-one was aggresive or even seemed to really notice. Tufty never comes in here unless the kitchen bowls are empty so we should be able to maintain a good separation between these two young bucks. :shify:
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Oh Sheila :shify: You got me going thru Grouchie pics trying to find ones that'll do justice to his whirly long eyebrow whiskas, his woolly fur, bushy tail, tufty ears ..............
Be careful as you are headed for a deep love affair and you better beware :innocent: If he's anything like me laddo (and I can tell Alvin sooooooo is), he'll have ya running round in circles feeding him little titbits 10 times a day and worryin' your self silly over every little sniffle .............
He's gonna run ya ragged gal :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
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This all sounds great Sheila ;D ;D
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Am reading this with barely concealed deilght. Long may the harmony continue. :Luv: Well done to Sheila and Mr Sheila. :hug: :hug:
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:thanks: everybody.
Just came down to check on His Madge, Alvin the Magnificent, only to find him gone :doh: Houdini stayle. The doors shut fast, windows too. Only way out is up the chimney and there's a fireguard sooooo... think fast think :um:
But wait, how has he gone but left his terrible Tomcat stench behind? :shify:
You guessed it! He's done what every single other rescue cat I've had in this house has done - found gimself a tuck-away where we'll think he's done a runner but is secretly and patiently waiting for us to leave a door ajar so he can leggit. :sneaky:
Chubby went under the hi-fi cabinet, Tuffers went behind the wardrobe, Jenny holed up behind the telly and Alvin has gone behind the sofa, although he's left his stink lying about so it was a dead giveaway. I can just see his little busted face peering up at me so I'm ignoring him. This generally works but let's see how smart he really is. ;)
Very much taking heed of these words Rosella -
he'll have ya running round in circles feeding him little titbits 10 times a day and worryin' your self silly ........
He's gonna run ya ragged gal
and maybe I'm less of a catlover than I thought because this game doesn't rub with me anymore - he can stay there till he's good and hungry as far as I'm concerned. OH will be a different matter, though. :sigh: He'll be on his hands and knees with a tin of tuna within minutes of surfacing - guaranteed :rofl: :doh:
So me and Polly are going about our business of a nice cuddle (she pins me to the sofa while I type) and HM Alvin the Magnificent is, hopefully, squatting uncomfortably down there, with the scent of fresh food and a fresh catnip leaf waiting for him to come to his senses. :shify:
More later, possibly with pics if I can get a new pooter today (can't load 'em on here, another reason for the urgency!)
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:evillaugh: :evillaugh: So glad he hadnt chosen the chimney option...... :doh:
Alvin the Aromatic, eh? Makes him seem a little Tsar like, no? ;)
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Here puddy puddy puddy ......... Come to antie Zella .......... little baby........... here's some toona for the iddie liddle man ......... :)
A thought occurring to me whilst grinning form ear to ear over this lad's stunning increase in life chances :wow: :wow: :wow: Peeps who do not neuter must have to put up with this pong all the time .......... weird or wot? :Crazy:
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Rosella, it's my honest opinion that people who don't neuter aren't troubled by the smell because of course 9 times out of 10 their cats scarcely see the insides of their owner's house - they're busy mooching round the houses of Crazy Cat ladies in the neighbourhood, hoping for a morsel of food, a kind word and a comfy place to snooze, when they aren't scrapping or eyeing up the top totty.
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Twinkle twinkle little Tsar... :Luv:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16861371@N06/8958040724/
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Aaaawwww!!!!!! :Luv2: :Luv2: Ah bless his heart!
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Aww bless him. Glad he seems to be settling in well, stench and all! Intros seem very calm so far!
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What a sweetie! Did the vet say how old Alvin was, he only looks about 1 or 2 to me?
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What a sweetie! Did the vet say how old Alvin was, he only looks about 1 or 2 to me?
That's exactly what my vet thought :ok: somewhere between 1 and 2.
I'm putting him at the younger end though because he behaves like an impressionable boy and seems to have a fair bit of growing to do where ears and paws are concerned.
His 1st birthday will be his neutering date, 4th June. Must tell Bonnie!
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Oooh he's just lovely Sheila :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
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He's a very handsome chap!
We had Alfie here for several weeks before he was officially ours, we got him neutered as soon as we officially 'owned' him. I can truly say that there was no 'tomcat' smell, possibly because he was still quite young (just under 1 year we think)?
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Awww bless him :Luv2: :Luv2: Its wonderful to know that he doesnt have to worry any more where his next meal comes from or sleep rough :) Well done Alvin for choosing the right home with the bestest of slaves ;)
Hope Sly is feeling much better. :hug: :hug:
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Eek new computer! Sly is feeling better thank you, his swollen foot is smaller and he's quite bright :)
Alvin has slept all day again, except for his playtime as per the earlier video. ;D
He allows lovey scruffing and chin rubs so is acclimatising nicely. I think the weather has helped as all the others are outside sunbathing on their various benches while he recovers from his procedure.
Slugsta, his Tomcat smell is nowhere near as bad as some of our previous rescues, but bad enough. OH has been gradually snipping matts off his back end without more than an occasional hiss. He is a very good boy. ;D
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:Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
Lupin at 10 months didnt have tomcat smell either
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"OH has been gradually snipping matts off his back end without more than an occasional hiss. He is a very good boy. "
OH or Alvin? :rofl:
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It's at times like this that I really wish we could read what's going on in their minds (actually, I wish that all of the time, but yuo know what I mean!) :evillaugh:
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I'm not sure it would help to read their minds can you imagine an average thought process:
yummies
Mice
lick me bum
yummies
mice
sleep
lick me paw
sleep
me loves me mummy
:rofl:
I hope Alvin and co had a good night.
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:evillaugh:
Ah yes, but that last bit - that last bit is the bit worth knowing. ;) :Luv:
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Well its 5am and here I am again. Little Alvin is looking much better, his eye is now completely open and the discharge has dried up :) He responds beautifully to chikkun, and the kissy noises I make when I have some food for him - he takes it gently it from my hand or goes wherever I place it, so the possibilities for training him to come when called are looking very favourable. He's eating well, preferring dry food to wet, and drinking loads to compensate so I'm really happy about his general health.
Poor mite though is aching to be back outside. :( He has no issues with vocalising his irritation at being locked up either but thankfully isn't deliberately destructive. Yet. :shify: Just when he gets particularly shouty he wakes the whole house and probably next door's as well :-[
I did manage to pluck him off both the mantelpiece and the sash window for a swift cuddle and a grope this morning - he has some small matts on his underbelly which are still loose so we should be able to get those off when he goes back to the vet for his booster. There are battle scars under his fur which are scabbing over and loosening - a few more days R&R he should be more comfortable in his own skin and may allow some grooming. Softly softly. :sneaky:
Meanwhile although he's beginning to trust me I'm not ready to start introductions yet, the long standing residents have popped in and out when he's been on his high perch so the only physical interaction has been some paws under doors with Sly. Theo and Tufty (my macho boys) have yet to make his acquaintance post-op.
OH has been doing some research on NFCs and has convinced himself Alvin's one of these. I'm not arguing as he seems really smitten with Alvin, and if the belief that he's a bit different helps to create the illusion that this noisy smelly beast who has kept us awake for three nights is worth the trouble, then so be it. :evillaugh:
Back later with more pics hopefully, am getting the hang of this new laptop so will try out my skills. :pcprob:
Sly is at the vet for his follow-up this morning so I'll update you on him too.
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:evillaugh: :evillaugh: Are we "crazy"? I guess...... :hug: :hug:
And sending lots of good luck vibes for our gorgeous Sly this morning too. :Luv:
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aww bless him - does sound as though he's settling in though - maybe he's just a vocal cat in general ;D Sounds like he has OH wrapped around his paw!
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Sounds like he is well training you :rofl:
I have Star NFC he weighed in at 8.72kgs last month and he is 4 and a half but he is in summer moult at the moment and gets up to 9kgs with his winter coat
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He looks the right size in this picture, he's not a big cat at all, yet.
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profile :Luv:
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Let me out!
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Grouchie cus :Luv:
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He has got very tufty topped ears ;D
He is so gorgeous and can see Lupinesque habits :evillaugh:
His tail is very like Misas.....talking oh whom...........where is he!
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So sorry Alvin is giving you such a hard time Sheila but Grouch would be exactly the same if we ever tried to withhold his freedom. You mustn't give in though. What sort of voice has he got? Grouch is a bit gravelly like mostly altho can do a higher pitch if necessary :) Thankfully he was only about 8 weeks old when he was brought to us so his voice didn't have much carrying power then.
What is his colouring? He looks quite dark brown in photos but very black in the video. It is difficult to get true colours with photos. Grouch is very black on top including the whole of his head but goes brownish/black half way down his side then his tummy (on the odd occasion I get a peek) has a sort of a purply/bluey/grey hue.
I had expected Grouch to become a very large cat as he has a large head but he will be 3 on 25th of this month and is very long and beneath his long coat remains rather slim weighing in this morning at 4.4kgs.
For comparison I attach a pic of our lad near his 1st birthday which for once shows most of his colouring properly. Would you say they look a little similar? ;)
It took an age to get him used to grooming which he certainly needs due to fluffy rather than silky fur but he got into it quicker when I introduced tasty biscuits as part of the procedure and kissing top of his head. It was a great way of bonding with him.
So pleased young Alvin isn't making any peeing protests :)
Hope you start to get some decent nights kip soon :hug: :hug: :hug:
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I've just watched video again Sheila and OMG ........ when I see his Alvin's eyes ............ I just feel the need to go and check Groucho's whereabouts :scared:
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Loving these gorgeous pictures :wow:
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They certainly are twins Rosella! :Luv2: :Luv:
Alvin has silky black fur around his ears, scruff, shoulders and down his spine but everywhere else is deep chocolate brown and woolly. Not sure about his belly fur as it's knotty so think that's probably woolly too, but when he was playing last night I did get a flash of white in the area of his trunks!
His voice is gravelly too, he has a good range and can also do many chirps and "words" but most of them are loud so I think his volume control is stuck. :doh:
We've just had Tufty in for the first time - he legged it after 5 minutes when Al started wailing from under the hi-fi cabinet (where he's made his nest). :shify:
Successful introduction with Polly, though! She's been in and out all week checking up on me (she is my Mum after all) :Luv:
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................ last night I did get a flash of white in the area of his trunks!
Prepare to die and go to heaven when you see his mat free tummy :) :) :)
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Just for comparison Master Svartleheim Starlight Express or Starrykins of the Clan Cats ;D :Luv2:
Normal size cat radiator bed and scratching Post :rofl:
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Star is such a beauty Liz :Luv2:
I try not to hanker after NFCs as I hear they like to wander and we don't have (and are very unlikely ever to have) a cat proofed home.
Very much hope Tufty isn't too put out by the new arrival Sheila altho I imagine it will be daggers drawn for a while :shify:
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Wow! Star is enormous! What a beautiful cat he is too. I hadn't heard they were wanderers, Rosella - I hope for everybodies sake he's just a moggy and stops growing around 5 kgs otherwise we'll need a bigger sureflap, just for starters.
We went out last night into London and crawled home at 3.45am to find Alvin awake and panicking - he raced round the room off-ground then stashed himself under the hi-fi where he still is. Don't know what spooked him but I'm hoping he'll calm down today as we're supposed to be going out again tonight. :-: I can hear him fidgeting and grumping under there so expect him to pop out for breakfast any minute.
Pleased to report he's managing to contain all his wee and considerable poop in the litter tray, even if he is quite generous with the litter itself. Another reason to believe he's a lost pet as opposed to feral. :(
Since I registered him on AnimalsearchUK and National pet register I've had e-mails from them supposedly of matching animals, but none of them are even remotely similar to him, not even the right gender in some cases. :sigh:
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Sheila I have Moggies at 7.5kgs hence we have window access in the utility room 24/7 for the stragglers to come in there is a bowl of food and 5 beds :shocked:
Also Master Casper Ragdoll is nearly 8kgs, I do however have the normal range from 2.5kgs Miss Kali kitten she is 2 this month and various ones up to the 6.5kg normal range
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Alvin talking to Sly under the door.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16861371@N06/8995985142/
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Aww he is so gorgeous and what a meow, Alvin is definately the right name for him.
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Couldnt get it to play and no sound grrrrrrrrrrrr
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I've only just seen this thread - love Star :Luv2: and Alvin has a right cry on him :rofl: :hug:
Mary
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He yelled all night again. I saw another little cat in the neighbourhood yesterday and heard voices similar to Alvin's crying outside the house, and wondered if he has siblings out there that he's calling to?
He's been introduced to Sly this morning, so far things are going quite well, Sly has been uber affectionate with me while Alvin calmly looks on, so maybe it is feline company he craves? Uh oh - here we go!
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Just heard him and he sounds like Lupin ;D
Maybe as you say he needs other cats and has friends outside
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Alvin has a little friend outside - there's no doubt in my mind that his wailing has been a cry for company, such a little softee :( . OH got up early and sat with him, and Lo! little Ivan (newly named) popped up on the windowsill. I was still asleep so missed all the excitement but apparently it is the same little Tufty-like cat we saw a few days ago in the street. I'd heard him wailing around the house but hadn't really put two and two together. Anyway the two of them just settled down sitting quite happily on either side of the window pane. OH put some food out in the back garden, and eventually Ivan disappeared. Half of the food has now gone. Sadly it's been raining so I think Ivan has gone back into hiding but at least he now knows where Alvin is imprisoned.
Alvin has since spend most of the morning trying to get out of the window.
OH thinks (and I agree) that we should try to re-unite these bonded boys (actually I'm not even sure Ivan is a boy, yet, but the great scar across his nose suggests he is, and not afraid to act like one) but that would really upset the balance here, so extra thinking caps needed. If Ivan turns out to be Alvin's Mum we'd really be up a tree! :shify:
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Oh that's interesting.
Are you going to try to trap Ivan?
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Ivan just came round again, Alvin is desperate to go and join him, then I noticed something else - Ivan has a little friend too. A grey fluffy tabby around the same size. I wonder now if we have a little colony of stray boys travelling together?
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oh sheila :(
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quoted from Alvin Stardust's biography My Father and mother were from quite large, very close knit families. Family gatherings were important
:luck:
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Oh Sheila :( If there is a girl there she might be pregnant :-:
If i can help in any way please let me know :hug: :hug:
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Oh heavens above :(
I hear what you say about great scar across Ivan's nose Sheila but what sort of condition is he and grey fluffy tabby in otherwise? and for that matter, now you have had a chance to properly engage with young Alvin, would you say he is underweight? I'm just wondering if this little group might belong to someone. OK I realise by the state of young Alvin's coat that any owner would not be the best slave in the world but ............
Think it might be time to put up local posters/leaflet immediate area? You can't take on another three :hug: :hug: :hug:
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.......... and just coz they seem to be hanging around together doesn't have to mean they're family. At least I just so hope the latest two are not strays too :hug: :hug: :hug:
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This sounds a serious situation and think you need to let Alvin out :hug: :hug:
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Their his backing band, you can't have Alvin with out his drummer, guitarist etc., I say get the cage back and lets see if we can't reunite Alvin with the others.
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What if they are from the free site that people couldn't sell/get rid and just dumped :( :( Last year when i found Felicity i started looking on tree site to see if there is any kitten report missing and there were more than 300 add in NW london only >:( Not for missing cats but for cat/kittens to sell!What do people do when they cant sell them?
They may not be from the same litter but from same home.
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When I was looking for a new birman I had no choice but look there or get a 3 month kitten from a breeder.
I limited my search just to birmans but it made me so unhappy watching all these idiots passing off moggies as birmans cos they were breeding a birman with any other cat.
Thats the reason I have Lupin cos he was a 10 month unneutered male and she just wanted him gone, I guess to someone who was going to use him to breed.
He went staright to the vets for neutering!
Sorry to highjack this a bit :-[
Hope you can get Alvin and his mates sorted :hug:
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Oh heavens above :(
I hear what you say about great scar across Ivan's nose Sheila but what sort of condition is he and grey fluffy tabby in otherwise? and for that matter, now you have had a chance to properly engage with young Alvin, would you say he is underweight? I'm just wondering if this little group might belong to someone. OK I realise by the state of young Alvin's coat that any owner would not be the best slave in the world but ............
Think it might be time to put up local posters/leaflet immediate area? You can't take on another three :hug: :hug: :hug:
Alvin was advertised locally but no-one came back to me, and his posts are still on the NPR and AnimalSearchUK sites. I had to take the posters down after a couple of days because we get fined by the council for littering (yes, really!) I've added another post to the local Yahoo group for my town and will print off a set of photos when I can get Ivan and Vidal (new name) to pose for me. I'll pop these in the vet and the newsagents (not that Alvin had ever been near a vet before!)
It may just be that Alvin's "help me" cry has attracted some old friends but they do both look sorry specimens. Ivan's white socks are filthy although his coat is of a silkier texture than Alvin's, he could eaily be from the same stock as Tufty whose coat looked passable but had to be shaved as it was very tangled and painful underneath the top layer. Vidal's tabby coat is sticking out at all angles. He's got more of a feral look to him and didn't come nearer than the wall. Hard to know if they're underweight, because their fur is long. Alvin was pot bellied with worms but has evened out now so his condition is improving, but his weight was a not unhealthy 3.9kgs.
I do know that "er" at no.7 regularly feeds foxes and all the stray cats that arrive here, as well as my own cats (on cream FFS!) which is why they are attracted and hang around. She never takes responsibility for their neutering, though, and "doesn't approve of my methods" in neutering strays. These strays just end up making the resident cats lives a misery (just one of the many reasons I no longer speak to her).
This sounds a serious situation and think you need to let Alvin out :hug: :hug:
My vet says Alvin's a stray and that he wasn't doing well, he'd been sheltering in my garden through all that dreadful weather, that's enough to convince me. If I let Alvin go he'll just re-join the pack and end up in the same sorry state he was in a week ago, getting battered by Tufty and eating the crap no7 feeds them. At least with me he has a home and a chance. If the others hang around as a pair I'll talk to CP about them, meanwhile I'll try and get some shots today if they come back and post all three together, it might prompt someone's memory. :shify:
Oh Sheila :( If there is a girl there she might be pregnant :-:
If i can help in any way please let me know :hug: :hug:
Thank Pav, I'll bear that in mind. :hug:
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I was sorta hoping that Alvin had felt warmth and comfort and love and good nosh so would come back maybe bring his friends with him
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I was sorta hoping that Alvin had felt warmth and comfort and love and good nosh so would come back maybe bring his friends with him
Maybe that's what he's been shouting about, Gill. :shy:
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Oh dear! I'm afraid that I don't have anything to add to what had already been suggested. :hug:
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I have pics, stand by...
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Vidal - definitely a boy! Showed me under his tail.
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Ivan - sorry about the quality, super zoom on my old camera
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Now I've seen Vidal (tabby) up close he's almost certainly not a family member. Much bigger and healthier looking
He tried to follow me back into the house! Also his fur isn't all sticky out - he must have been standing with his back to the brezee when I saw him earlier. :-[ He has beautiful eyes though! I'll try and get the pic the right way around.
Ivan (white bib) on the other hand is a bag of scars. His fur is in a terrible state. Poor wee thing looks so depressed and frightened. The white cat at the back is Charlie from number 2 and you can't see him but Sly is just out of shot behind the wall.
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OK, the two outside are definitely following one another around. Vidal is stunning, seems to be bigger boned and more confident. I'm not in the least worried about him, if he's bad enough to follow me into my house for food he's doing just fine.
Ivan is terribly scarred. I managed to get them both in the garden together and fed Ivan a bowl of whiskas Oh So Smelly laced with Capstar. Then he came right up for a handful of chikkun which he almost took from my fingers. Poor little fella is just ravenous. Vidal let him eat the lot so either there's a pecking order or Vidal has eaten elsewhere today (maybe OH's didh this morning).
Here's the pics of Ivan - one of his eyes has a droopy lid which makes him looks a bit squiffy but he has stunning green eyes.
Not seen under his tail yet so still not 100% on him being male. The fact that Vidal is following him may in fact indicate he's a she? But the second photo tells me that if she is, then she's not pregnant, there's definitely a skinny litle waistline there.
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Is Vidal spayed?
Ivan and Alvin do look pretty similar so possibly related. It's all turned out to be much more complicated than first thought hasn't it? that's cats for you :shocked:
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Is Vidal spayed?
Fairly sizeable pods under there, tricky to tell this side of a vet check though because he's got fluffy pantaloons!
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Oh poor Ivan :( He does look worried.
I love B/W long hair cats :Luv2:
Sheila i have small out door house which no one uses, i can get it to you if you want to set up a temp place for Ivan and Vidal in your garden.
Here is the pic, its big enough for two cats.
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Oh boy what a situation, wish I could add something useful :hug: :hug:
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Oh poor Ivan :( He does look worried.
I love B/W long hair cats :Luv2:
Sheila i have small out door house which no one uses, i can get it to you if you want to set up a temp place for Ivan and Vidal in your garden.
Here is the pic, its big enough for two cats.
Pav I have three outdoor houses, not dissimilar to yours, so there's room for them to shelter if they need it, thank you for the lovely thought though.
Current plan: feed Ivan once daily in the trap until week-end then set it to catch him on Saturday morning.
Bring him into the room where Alvin is and see if they really are bonded. Sunday make decision to either
Trap/Neuter/Release and cease feeding or
rehab Ivan as bonded with Alvin.
I'm not even thinking about Vidal, if he chooses to hang around I'll consider him later but as of ten minutes ago Ivan is on his own again in my garden, chatting away to me from the bottom end. :shy:
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Sheila I thought I was the mad cat woman :rofl: :rofl:
I have the outside houses to and a single garage with wool rugs and scratching posts and 3 arm chairs, the wendyhouse has soft beds and I wonder why we keep getting outside newbies but touch wood nothing yet this year just the band of 6 or son but as I have several the dame colour a bit hard to tell sometimes mainly tabbies and black and whites
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Sheila I thought I was the mad cat woman :rofl: :rofl:
[/color]
Glad there's room for more than one of you, carry on with the good work ladies ;) :hug:
Mary
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It's good to know I've got people to bounce this off, yes it's suddenly got a lot more complicated.
Alvin continues to chat away at the window but Ivan has vanished for the night. There's loads of safe gardens hereabouts, he'll be fine overnight.
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I hope everyone has a good sleep......its raining here again and windy
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Well I think I've figured it out folks. Yes, Ivan and Alvin may well be siblings but I don't think that's what all the yelling is about. Last night I saw two more rough looking toms in the street (this is way past usual for around here - seriously I know every cat!) then it suddenly dawned on me - FEMALES! Two houses in the immediate vicinty have been sold and two more rented out - I'd like to be there's an unneutered female in one of them and these toms have been drawn to her. :(
Alvins efforts to escape, however are no less frantic - he spend much time hanging over the net curtain wire like a drunken sailor in an overcrowded seaman's mission, simply gazing out of the window. When I open the window a crack he's down there with his paws trying to open the sash. Meanwhile he now looks forward to his chikkun and has learned the rattle of treat packets, allows head and back strokes and the occasional cuddle without too much wriggling. :)
Not been outside yet to see if Ivan is still hanging around, but will put some bosita down for him if he appears before 9 o'clock when I have to go to work.
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I wonder iif you are right.
like a drunken sailor in an overcrowded seaman's mission, simply gazing out of the window ummmmmm how do you know about things like this :innocent:
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It's a long story I'll be happy to recount the day we met, Gill. :shy:
Alvin and Sly watched the cat program on Horison tonight together, Alvin so wants to be friends, Sly is feeling its all a bit too fast and is pushing back but I can see he's intrigued with this uber-friendly challenger.
However, Sly's presence (and tentative tolerance of)87uuuu9uy
[that was Alvin sorry]
Alvin has not stopped him from crying at the door/window/wall/me!
Am hoping to strengthen the relationship with Sly as these two would really be good for one another.
No sign of Ivan today but Vidal was in the garden eralier so I assume Ivan is around somewhere.
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How lovely that Alvin and Sly might end up good mates :) :) :)
It must be very wearing having to listen to constant pleas to get out Sheila. Really hope he calms down soon :hug: Think you may well be right about unspayed female in the vicinity to account for so many young bucks on the block.
I'm toying with keeping Alvin's twin locked up tonight in the unlikely event he is preventing Boris from coming home but Groucho's likely to object in much the same way as Alvin ........ not that I'm likely to get a wink of sleep until his nibbs returns in any event :(
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Oh Rosella. :hug:
I let Alvin have the run of the house this morning with the flap set to "In only" and now I can't find him. :scared:
Got a horrible feeling he's masterminded his escape and is off on his toes. :(
It's too quiet, oh why oh why did I not lock the damned thing.
:doh: :doh: :doh: :doh:
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He'll be around somewhere Sheila. :hug:
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He'll be around somewhere Sheila. :hug:
He's under the kitchen units. :faint:
Catflap now locked!
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Phew! It's amazing how they find places to hide. Xander has somewhere he hides in the bedroom I can't work out where it is.
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phew! why do we have them again???
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Managed to get a "do not feed" collar on him :wow: So cute!
He's now patrolling the kitchen jingling.
Need to figure out how to register his chip in my catflap without giving him big ideas. :shify:
10 days in....
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And for my next stunt....
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He definately has Lupin tendancies and I bet he is watching like a hawk for any slip up you make!
When my flap was set on in only was when Lupin got out cos he hooked a claw down the side and pulled it open and slipped out................unlike Alvin he had never been out on his own and didnt know what to do.
I found him sitting on the step outside waiting to be rescued!
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Alvin is a total looker. Been following this thread as much as I can and having a soft spot for Rosella's lovely fluffy black panther it's great to basically get a double whammy of this kind of cute. :Luv: :Luv:
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My Billy has loads of hidey holes but no cat flaps on these doors. I just shake one of treats or some cat nip. Normally comes out to see what he can have, but they can be very astute. :rofl:
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Well.
I have sad and happy updates.
Alvin has made his escape. :( After all my persuances, somehow the flap was left on "out" mode tonight and he's gone. :'(
I am at fault for not monitoring what was going on in the kitchen.
I did that. Me. :'(
Happy news, if it can be regarded as such.
We have Ivan!
new thread to follow... please watch this space for Alvin updates, I sincerely hope he will be back. :-:
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Just posted on Ivan's thread but will repeat my positive thoughts here that Alvin will come back to where's he's fed, warm and loved :hug:
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Thanks Helen.
I'm not worried about him, he lasted this long out there without me, but I'm pee'd off with myself. Alvin is a very sweet boy who deserves a loving home, and I let him down just days before he was ready to go.
Hoping he'll be back for his treats soon. He is wearing his "Do Not Feed" collar so hopefully no7 will lay off.
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Hope you get Alvin back. At least it is summer and not quite as cold as winter yet. Indeed our windows have been open all night but Billy can't get out of them. :hug: :hug:
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He must come back Sheila. He is too bright a boy not to realise food, warmth and fuss iz gud stuff :hug: :hug: :hug:
As you say he has survived without any of life's little luxuries for quite some time and you have lots of cat shelters in your garden. Weather isn't that cold atm either. My cat ladies in N Ireland are forever trying to get my auntie to keep her many cats out overnight so that they will use the shed prepared for them. They keep reminding her that a cats coat is naturally waterproof so not to worry about a drop of rain.
There .... that didn't help at all did it? :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Please don't beat yourself up over cat flap. I've done similar thing so many times often forgetting the setting I have put it on and causing havoc as a result. It's quite sunny here this morning. Hoping he gets hungry quickly :crossed:
Off to see Ivan's thread :wow:
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I'm sure he'll be back soon. If he was hanging around before I doubt he'll do a runner now.
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I'm sure he'll be back soon. If he was hanging around before I doubt he'll do a runner now.
Good point. I heard somebody who sounded like him a few minutes ago, but it may have been Vidal or one of the other toms I've spotted around here this week.
The trap's set and I'm going nowhere except to the vet with Ivan at 3 o'clock. If Alvin's still here I'll catch him, I've never been more determined. :-:
Chikkun - that's his achilles heel. And hopefully Ivan will help to call him in, he's making enough noise! :doh:
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He definately has Lupin tendancies and I bet he is watching like a hawk for any slip up you make!
When my flap was set on in only was when Lupin got out cos he hooked a claw down the side and pulled it open and slipped out................unlike Alvin he had never been out on his own and didnt know what to do.
I found him sitting on the step outside waiting to be rescued!
Ummmmmmmmm I did say he would be watching for your slip! :innocent:
I think that he will be back but testing to see if you try and trap him again......does he neeed to go back to the vet? If not I wouldnt trap him again cos he needs to learn to trust you.....just my opinion.
Will pop onto the Ivan thread now ;D
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I know Gill, the simple fact that I can be outwitted with such regularity just proves to me how very human I am :doh: :doh: :doh:
Alvin has to go back to the vet on the 23rd to finish his course of vaccinations, plus Ivan is here now so I want him inside so they can be company for each other until Ivan's op on Friday.
Just caught Spike from next door again. :heeee heeee:
I've also identified the hussy who is luring all these boys in. The kitten we've been seeing about for some time has blossomed into a pretty young thing, and there's no sign that she's been spayed. I'd put her around 8 months, so she's likely to be in her first season. Caught her rubbing around the garden earlier with some fairly forward cattitude. :-:
Keeping the trap baited with fresh food is a problem today because it keeps getting waterlogged. I've placed a tarp over the top to try and keep things dry, and now Beau wants in. :doh:
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Well, if this doesn't take the biscuit.
The phone just rang, an elderly Jamaican lady saying Alvin is her cat, Bobby Marley, and he's just come home wearing my collar. :) :phew: She's so relieved he's OK and back safe.
She's very deaf and struggled to hear me on her deaf phone, but its clear from our conversation that she has trouble with timespans (she thought he'd only been missing a few days) and has money issues. She seems delighted that he's been neutered too. I've arranged to go and see her tomorrow to collect my collar and give her his microchip papers.
I'll see if there's anything else I can help her with, from the state Bobby Marley was in, and from the sound of her, she may need some support.
She has another cat, a female, who apparently went missing once and also came back with a microchip :shify:
I'm relieved he's OK and glad he is back with his real Mum, and he now has a much better chance of living a long and happy life. I
did ask if she has lost any other cats (thinking she may also be missing an Ivan) but no, they're not related.
So, I'll post again tomorrow with an update but it seems we've had a successful re-union after all, just not the one anyone expected.
Here's to identity tags with phone numbers on! :cheer:
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So sad but suspect Alvin will be back and am sure the lady is very grateful to you.
So many roaming cats and was like that where I lived in London, and constantly changing as people rented and left.
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OMG - maybe after seeing the lady you might be bringing him home with you ;)
Mary
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Blimey - that's an unexpected twist! It does sound as though she has problems caring for him though so maybe this isn't the end of the story ;)
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OMG - maybe after seeing the lady you might be bringing him home with you ;)
Mary
Well it was OH who answered the phone to her (Maria), and she asked him if we wanted the cat back! :shify: I'll see what her circumstances are tomorrow, I'm seeing her at 2pm. If she can't afford him she may well ask me face to face.
Re-reading this thread he was in a bad way when we brought him in, so I'm guessing Maria has limited cat husbandry skills and may be in need of some support. Even if it's just someone to bring his cat food and source his meds, I don't mind at all if it means he's going to be loved and happy, and a little healthier.
She rang back a few minutes ago, been worrying that she now owes me money. :( I told her not to worry about it as we embarked on his rescue knowing he had been somebody's pet and these things happen. She sounded very relieved. I'm looking forward to meeting her, she sounds quite special. :)
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Wow! Well that's an unexpected turn up for the books! I find it really strange that he obviously hasn't been home for ages, yet as soon as he bolts out of your house, he goes straight back home - what on earth must be going through his little mind?!
I look forward to hearing how your meeting with Maria goes - even if she does keep him and he decides to stay there, at least you can now feel reassured that he does have a loving owner, is now neutered and probably knows how to get back to yours if he decides to move out for good!
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What an unexpected twist :Crazy: You're such a star Sheila, Alvin obviously hunted you down when he needed help :hug:
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I leave this thread for five minutes and look what happens!
Blimey what a roller coaster. Here's to hopping Alvin / Bob knows what side his bread is buttered.
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flippin' 'eck, Shelia
first you take in Alvin, then Ivan, and now you're moving on to a Maria :shify:
word will get about, you know - by Monday morning I predict a long queue snaking around the corner from your front door :rofl:
just wish there were more big-hearted people like you and your OH in the world :hug:
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I couldnt get this too load and somehow all these new posts arrived :sneaky:
What a wonderful story and sounds like Maria has a few problems but Alvin knew where his food was coming from until you trapped him LOL, then he wanted to go home and probaqbly hence all the wailing.
It sounds like you and Maria will be able to sort this out and what a wonderful lady you are :hug: :hug:
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Wow! Well that's an unexpected turn up for the books! I find it really strange that he obviously hasn't been home for ages, yet as soon as he bolts out of your house, he goes straight back home - what on earth must be going through his little mind?!
I worked it out, he escaped from here at 12 midnight but didn't pitch up at Maria's until 745pm. I think he's got himself lost on purpose knowing there's food available here (No7 >:( ) but I'd put a "Do Not Feed" collar on him before he got out (just in case!) ;) and reckon this has forced his hand (paw) - he either went into my trap for the bait food :scared: or he went home :) .
In my limited experience, cats won't hang around where they're not happy, true, but the primary driver is always food and no matter how much he disliked life with Maria she obviously has food for him, so home he went. I'll see if we can't make life a little easier for them both today. Now he's neutered he should be a little easier for her to manage.
I can't help wondering what state her other cat is in, need to be careful not to overstep my mark here. :innocent:
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Gobsmacked at the turn of these events. I think Alvin now has 2 homes and more then ones set of parents. He obviously knew that Maria needed human help so went in search of some kind people to do so. He reminds me a lot of KoKo in The Cat Who mysteries.
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Am going to take my laptop with me so Maria can see this thread. If she sees the photos of his manky eye and his reports on the National Pet Register and AnimalSearchUK she'll realise just how long he's been missing and what a state he was in when I picked him up. I'll also take some spot-on wormers for him, as he was badly infested.
Alvin's still due his second course of vaccs. If she'll allow it I'd like to take her and Alvin together to see my vet then so she can talk to a professional about his care. :innocent:
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They have got their head screwed on the right way. :rofl: Cute customers they are. Alvin the cat with two names :rofl:
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I'm looking forward to meeting her, she sounds quite special. :)
You are an amazing lady Sheila and no mistake. I am delighted Alvin Bobby Marley is home. I hope you find him asleep and happy at home.
I can certainly see the benefits of offering to bring her and Bobby to vets for follow up vaccination. Pointless having the initial vaccination if there is no follow up and, bearing in mind Maria asked OH if you wanted to keep him, there is always the possibility that he may one day end up back with you.
You have your head screwed firmly on so am sure you will be sensible. Can I however please offer a teeny weeny word of caution, think twice, nay maybe even thrice, before offering too much more to Maria. Giving yourself a little time to think things thru, esp when the next week is booked up so fully with other stuff, is no bad thing.
The impact of other cats being introduced to your existing clan has to be your number one priority and whilst Ivan is with you, I think that will be more than enough to handle.
Just a suggestion; if you have a spare grooming brush, it might help Maria bond better with me laddo and keep matting problems to a minimum? I have a feeling a few catnip toys might be brought along for the ride too :innocent:
I feel for your OH I have to say. I bet he is upset too :( :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Mixed emotions. The Jamaican accent I thought I'd picked up on the phone was actually her deaf speech, she's an Essex woman through and through, living with her daughter and two grandaughters. Nor is she especially elderly or broke, they can afford to chain smoke and her daughter could barely be bothered to lift her eyes from her I-pad to say hello to me.
However Alvin/Bobby Marley was there looking like the happiest cat alive playing with the two little girls. Still wearing my collar which I smartly popped off him and pocketed, but obviously at home with the family he loves. That in itself is a relief because he's clearly loved by the kids and will be safe, and what more can I ask for him.
Then they told me the bad stuff. Bobby was bred by them last March making him 15 months old. He was one of six - the others were "got rid of" but I couldn't bring myself to ask what thet meant. Bobby's mother is still unspayed, and strangely couldn't be found, so presumably will be chucking out another set of kittens to be "got rid of" very soon. >:(
I explained that I could help them get neutering for their other cats if they wanted help, but was met with shrugged shoulders, so I made my farewells and left.
However, I was presented with a small bunch of roses and chocs for my trouble, and they promised to get his microchip details changed (just as soon as daughter could be bothered to find the site on her ipad, she was unwilling to find the site while I was there).
They didn't recognise Ivan from my pictures, though. So he's not sprogged from there.
Case closed. Good luck Alvin, you're a special little boy indeed. :crossed:
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So pleased that Alvin is happy cos he loves his home but so sad they dont take more care of him.
Well done you on being able to walk away :hug: :hug:
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The chocs are scrummy. :shy:
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I can understand your mixed feelings but at least Alvin is happy at home - and I'm pretty sure that he would come and find you if he needed help in future. :hug:
Just Ivan to sort out now...
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Happyish ending then?
I'll tell Bonnie to take him off the birthday list ;)
Mary
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Unexpected is not the word....
What a little player he is!
Sheila, I'm a little sad for Alvin although I know I shouldn't be if he's happy. But it's not right to just leave cats free roaming to get in to all manner of bother because of their hormones.
Anyway..... :shy:
Hurrah for nice chocs and roses - and good luck with the other boys. ;)
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Goodness - so many twists and turns!
Good news and bad news there. Obviously bad news that they are not neutering and allowing their cats to breed. It seems on the surface to be good news for Alvin/Bobby that he's back home and seems to be loved. However, sometimes love isn't enough and whilst the kids may be happy to play with him he doesn't seem to be terribly well cared for. Hopefully now that he's neutered and has been vaccinated (will they take him for the 2nd vaccination?) he will do better and not roam (or get into fights) and at least he won't be adding to the future cat population. But I can't help feeling he's as neglected as he is loved and I wonder whether the 2 little girls who were playing with him will still be doing so when the novelty has worn off and he's a bit older and less kittenish. Although the neutering should go some way to prevent him wandering, I just have a feeling that he may turn up again at yours, Sheila. How far away from you do they live?
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Only 5 minutes walk Susanne, less in cat terms (as the crow flies its only 400 yards if that!). If you saw him you'd see it too, he's part of the family for all it's downsides. Now he's neutered I don't expect to see him back, he looked relaxed and comfortable. At least he has a bolt hole here if ever needed.
I didn't leave flea/worm treatments or catnip toys (even though I had them in my bag) as my goodwill was becoming strained. I even forgot to offer to take her for his follow up injections.
Not sure what to do now, as I think these are already paid for??
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I think it would be good for him to have the end of the course and then at least he has one complete.
It took him along time to go not very far :shify: :shify: detours maybe and hope he remembers the way back to yours :hug: :hug:
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Note through the letter box letting them know which vets to take him to for the follow up injections, ensuring they know it won't cost them anything?
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Note through the letter box letting them know which vets to take him to for the follow up injections, ensuring they know it won't cost them anything?
Good idea JS and can see you are well vversed in things like this :innocent:
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Note through the letter box letting them know which vets to take him to for the follow up injections, ensuring they know it won't cost them anything?
With maybe a subtle (or not so subtle) comment that you have notified the vets of his new (old) address and they will be chasing it up if he doesn't attend.
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:tired: What gave it away, Gill....? :tired:
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Sorry but is it just me? :shy: I would definitely ring vets and give them his new name and contact details and explain that vet needs to send out a reminder re vaccination with a note that it is already paid for.
So sorry the young lad has such irresponsible owners Sheila but at least he seems to like them :hug: :hug: :hug:
Just off to Ivan's thread ............
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Aha, straight thinking. Perfect Rosella, thank you, got so bogged down with other stuff I lost sight of the bigger picture. :thanks:
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Happyish ending then?
I'll tell Bonnie to take him off the birthday list ;)
Mary
Thanks Mary. :doh: I'll ask Pursley to add Ivan's birthday after he's been done - she doesn't acknowledge unneutered boys as part of the family :-:
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oh Sheila, don't know what to say, what a roller coaster
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oh Sheila, don't know what to say, what a roller coaster
Occupational Hazard, Dawn. Somebody had to do something. I've decided to get some of Celia's neutering leaflets and put them through doors around here. See if we can't trigger some responsible spaying of the females that are causing the problems.
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good luck to you sheila, I know from my own experience of rosie and my family apathy seems to win far too often :hug:
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You have done everything you could for Alvin. :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Sorry but is it just me? :shy: I would definitely ring vets and give them his new name and contact details and explain that vet needs to send out a reminder re vaccination with a note that it is already paid for.
I'd not do that because it's giving out someone elses address without their consent, which I'd not be comfortable with. Because Sheila has had contact with the owners, that's the route I'd be taking. But it makes sense to do it that way if you're not concerned about giving out someone elses details. :)
Good luck, Sheila. Hope you can get the message across. :hug:
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Maria is quite affable, so I'll suggest she makes her own appointment for Alvin and takes advantage of the free boosters. I can do no more than that.
However Tufty is also due his booster so I could just nick it. :evillaugh: Not being serious here, just joshin'ya - had a few wines in the college bar y'know. :innocent: