Topic: Meet Coco and Chanel (Read 5407 times)

Liz · « **Reply #143 on:** July 05, 2018, 20:01:01 PM »

If its any help our Blue feral has been with us 12 years and still hisses at us as we place his evening treat on the chair next to him

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #142 on:** July 05, 2018, 13:46:23 PM »

She often does stop mid hiss – she generally hisses when doing the litter tray (she sits directly above it), but I tell her what I’m doing and she stops, moves her eyes like she’s considering what you’ve said, then stops and settles down.

Misa · « **Reply #141 on:** July 04, 2018, 18:46:53 PM »

LOVE SHE STOPPED MID HISS LOL

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #140 on:** July 03, 2018, 13:37:28 PM »

Yes, Paula, there is progress and they are responsive cats, it’s just not in the normal way. I offered Coco a new toy last night, she started hissing, then stopped mid hiss, I wish I had taken a pic of it! Chanel has finally been in the cat cube though, just the Senses circuit she isn’t bothered with, will probably end up going to my neighbours.

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #139 on:** July 03, 2018, 10:53:43 AM »

Two lovely girls Desley

, it does sound as if you are making progress even if it is a slow process.

Misa · « **Reply #138 on:** July 02, 2018, 22:05:16 PM »

HOPEFULLY WITH TIM DESLEY

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #137 on:** July 02, 2018, 13:41:04 PM »

Yes, they do look very relaxed Gill, just a shame that it doesn’t stop the hissing! Last night was sweet, Coco was in the bed on the windowsill, stayed there while I read to them, then when I shouted her to get her supper, she actually came out of the bed!

Misa · « **Reply #136 on:** July 01, 2018, 23:35:02 PM »

GREAT PICS DESLEY AND THEY LOOK VERY RELAXED

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #135 on:** July 01, 2018, 11:05:57 AM »

Finally pics! We put the shelf up and put 2 of the cat tree toys up, might do a third tonight. I knew Chanel would Gill, surprised by Coco as she was an adult when she came

Misa · « **Reply #134 on:** June 29, 2018, 20:26:33 PM »

SO PLEASED AN AS THEY GET OLDER THEIR COLOUR LIKELY TO CHANGE. WILL BE GREAT TO SEE SOME PICS

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #133 on:** June 29, 2018, 12:39:08 PM »

Had a great time with the girls this morning, went in and Coco was on the windowsill, she stayed long enough for me to de-fluff the place she normally sits, then I spooked her but rather than run to her safe place, she went the opposite direction and ended up on the floor, Chanel run to her, and Coco actually laid in a relaxed position, then I got the rainbow cord out and actually got her playing for a bit! Will post pics later. That’s at least the 3rd time this week I’ve gone in and she hasn’t been in her safe place, but it is the only time she hasn’t ran to it, so think we are getting somewhere. Putting her shelf up this weekend and a few more toys! Chanel doesn’t look as fluffy, wonder if it is the heat? Coco is actually getting darker, I knew Chanel would as she got older, but surprised with Coco.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #132 on:** June 26, 2018, 13:06:09 PM »

The favourite toy appears to be the rainbow cord – it’s too long for the cat room though, so will cut it in half, Lucy was rather interested in it too! The den was actually hand made by a friends’ husband Paula, the boxes were built in his workshop, everything else came in pieces in my house and was built in the room, don’t think it would ever come out of there in one piece! I wasn't sure about the astroturf at first, but its easy to hoover and steam mop, and the cats don't mind sitting on it. He was a typical bloke and told me on Thur he was coming round to do it on Sat, but I hadn’t ordered the sisal, so that had to be put on after, would not recommend that, it was so hard, and we underestimated how much you use, so had to then order some more!

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #131 on:** June 26, 2018, 05:24:09 AM »

I love the den! Where did you get it from? I have three soppy Tittentats that would love one of those.

Misa · « **Reply #130 on:** June 25, 2018, 23:15:28 PM »

HOPE ITS JUST A MATTR OF TIME.

KOCKA MY FIST CAT DINT KNOW HOW TO PLAY AND HAD TO TEACH HER, HOURS OF PLAYING FOOTBALL WITH A PING POG BALL AND A FISH ON A STRING WHICH SHE ADORED

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #129 on:** June 25, 2018, 19:27:40 PM »

The den is too large to get it all in one photo! Still got a few cat tree toys that need screwing, and a shelf on the wall for them. Forgot there is also a window sucker toy, she hasn't bothered with that! She has barely bothered with the toys or new post. Might have to shuffle things round

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #128 on:** June 25, 2018, 12:58:51 PM »

Typically Gill, she’s barely touched them. I got her a bit interested in the Senses when I went in at bedtime, and did hear a few loud noises as I was going to sleep. Purrs order has arrived today, so more stuff for them, Lucy got something in this order too (The shark destroyed her Da Bird the other week!!)

Misa · « **Reply #127 on:** June 24, 2018, 21:07:52 PM »

CHANEL SHOULD HAVE FUN WITH ALL THOSE

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #126 on:** June 24, 2018, 19:36:18 PM »

Thanks - obviously not where they are going to stay but this is the majority of the new toys for Chanel

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #125 on:** June 22, 2018, 19:08:24 PM »

Sounds good to me Desley.

Misa · « **Reply #124 on:** June 22, 2018, 18:34:05 PM »

I THINK THATS PURRFECT DESLEY

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #123 on:** June 21, 2018, 13:43:24 PM »

Spoke to builder, my enclosure will cost more than my neighbours as he will need to hire an access tower, and I want stronger mesh than she went for, but he said he’d clean out my gutters for free while he was doing it!! Just debating at the moment whether I can get a cat flap installed in the window. Most of the toys, the new scratch post and shelf have arrived, but I Want to clean the room before putting them in. Just waiting for the stuff from Purrs now, so Sunday’s job will be re-arranging things in the room for them.

Our trustee thinks we may be able to get the cost covered by a grant we are applying for, not sure if she needs any text to explain, but have written this, what do you think?

Last September, PAWS took in a mum cat, who the vets asked us if we wanted to ear tip as she was wild there, but we wanted to give her a chance in a home environment to see if she could be homed as a pet cat. 3 weeks later, the people who had asked us for help with the mum asked us to take in the kitten they had kept, as she was too wild for them, so we took her too, and both were placed with a fosterer to bring them round. They are quite content indoors and spent most of the winter snoozing in a bed under the radiator, so it would be unfair to put them back outside (and the ‘kitten’ may not have the skills to fend for herself, after spending the majority of her life inside), but they will still growl, hiss and draw blood if you get too close, so they need someone who is willing to give them the space and love they need, accepting they may never be able to touch them. As these homes aren’t easy to come by, the fosterer has proposed to keep them as long term foster cats, so if someone perfect comes along we have the option to home them, but will do everything she can to enrich their environment in the meantime, which is why we are applying for a grant to build an enclosure outside their room, so they have some outdoor space, and the extra stimulation that comes with that, as they are too nervous to be given unlimited outdoor access.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #122 on:** June 16, 2018, 09:44:29 AM »

for some reason, since explaining the dilemma to Coco, she actually seems to be slightly better with me. This morning they'd kicked the blanket off the windowsill, Coco hissed when I went to replace it, so I told her there was no point, I'm only doing this to make things better for them, and she stopped with her mouth open, like she had to contemplate this, then shut her mouth. I'll have another chat with the rescue when we aren't quite as under pressure fundraising wise, but I don't want to wait that long to start putting things in place, it wouldn't be fair on the girls. I think there is just so much going on Gill, we are opening next week and haven't finished building the cat pens yet, so she doesn't know if she's coming or going.

Misa · « **Reply #121 on:** June 15, 2018, 22:22:56 PM »

WELL DONE ON THE ORDER DESLEY AND HOPE THEY WILL HAVE SOME NEW FUN WITH THE TOYS.

SEEMS TO ME THAT THE RESCUE IS NOT STAYING IN FOCUS AND THEY SHOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT YOU KEEPING THESE TWO, MAYBE YOU ARE RIGHT THO

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #120 on:** June 15, 2018, 19:23:14 PM »

Not sure I got the timing right with the rescue, she didn't seem overly enthusiastic and wanted me to wait a couple of months till things have settled down (we are still finishing our move, just finishing building the cat pens), but hoping that was more because she didn't want me to spend money rather than being bothered by me keeping them. She did again suggest splitting, but I'd rather say I was keeping them than let that happen. I've just done a very expensive Zooplus order, new scratch post and toys for them, and will speak to the builder over the weekend - even if it doesn't work out with these, or something amazing comes up, I've always wanted to put an enclosure outside the window for the foster cats, just never thought it was possible.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #119 on:** June 15, 2018, 13:30:14 PM »

That has always been my issued Paula, and why I’ve always said any advertising would be done without a picture. We do have an ‘animals needing specialist homes’ page on our website, so doing a story on there for them is an option. I rummaged in the wardrobe last night looking for my fabric tunnel, it appears I’ve thrown that away, but did find a cat tent, so put that up last night for her, and I’m contemplating taking the plastic dog bed they don’t use out of there to make more space and replacing the small scratch post with something a bit more interactive, shame as Lucy has an unused one, but it’s a bit boring, it’s just a wave.

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #118 on:** June 15, 2018, 01:08:13 AM »

I think that you have made the right decision, but I am also with Gill in saying please don't advertise them, I know that they will have prospective homes vetted, but I still think that people are going to see them, fall in love with their looks and not be up for their behavioural problems. Some people know what to say even if they think that they will do things their own way once the cats are in their possession.

Misa · « **Reply #117 on:** June 14, 2018, 21:01:20 PM »

SO PLEASED YOU ARE KEEPING THEM AND AMZING HOW THEY ARE STILL IMPROVING.

DONT ADVERTISE THEM PLEASE

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #116 on:** June 14, 2018, 13:53:01 PM »

Yes, there are Sue, but not many, plus pairs have always been harder to home, never mind homes with no other cats. I certainly don’t know many people like you Liz!! You are right, they definitely need someone understanding who will let them be – Chanel was playing peek a boo with me Tue night, last night I was reading their bedtime story and Chanel started playing around, which distracted me, Coco started staring at the book in my hand, as if to say ‘why have you stopped?’ and she relaxes a lot when she is being read to, so they do interact, just not in the normal sense, and both know their names and nicknames (coco bean and cheeky lamb).

Between here and CC, I have come to a decision, which will be to keep them as long term fosters, so they would still be up for homing if the right home came along, but in the meantime I will do everything I can to try and integrate them and make things better for them. My neighbour isn’t convinced they should be up for homing, she doesn’t think it would be fair on them, and that I would find it hard to let them go. I will run it by our manager tomorrow, can’t see her saying no, as my neighbour pointed out, what else can we do with them? We are doing a Zooplus order tomorrow, so will buy some more toys, and maybe do a Purrs order too. Then I will speak to our local handyman about getting a mesh door like my neighbour did to gauge Lucy’s reaction, and look at having an enclosure built so they can have fresh air – not sure Coco would use it, but looking at the paw prints on my window, Chanel would. Now just to decide whether to advertise them or leave it for people to offer a home for the challenging cats.

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #115 on:** June 13, 2018, 16:34:17 PM »

Why don't you try it for a week or so and as my late Husband would say "Suck it and see"?

Liz · « **Reply #114 on:** June 13, 2018, 14:35:50 PM »

Desley your last comment is half of my cats including an unhandlable F2 Bengal my darling Melody she loves cats and kittens., tolerates the dogs and just about tolerates the humans but can be cornered to go to the vet where she is as sweet a pie as she is terrified of being out of her comfort zone

We can now get all ours to the vets with cornering in the catroom its more the chase involved to get them where we want them that would give folks food for thought

A farm is not a place they should go they need someone very understanding who will let them be but love from afar - I do that with my darling Blue feral who still hates us but loves all the other cats after 12 years but if you ignore the hissing he does love his treats and if required an ACP tablet

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #113 on:** June 13, 2018, 14:32:50 PM »

The problem in this case is what kind of home would take two semi-ferals who have no issue using claws and teeth, and are technically unhomeable.

Hmmmm.

There are people out there, but not thick on the ground, it's true.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #112 on:** June 13, 2018, 13:36:15 PM »

Thanks for all the points and comments, some food for thought. I won’t bore you, but between the layout of the house, and the logistics dealing with Lucy’s quirks with doors, it would be hard to have them all loose in the house, especially as I can’t touch the girls.

Sue – I really can’t think of any other scenarios for these, nor can I think of any other volunteers who could have them - when we weren’t sure in September if Coco could come round, it was me or put her outside. Liz’s comment is my concern about going to a breed rescue!! I certainly wouldn’t want them to go somewhere I couldn’t vet myself, with the work I’ve done. The girlies (their nickname!) aren’t bothered by other cats, there is a half Siamese on the next street, she was screaming to go in one day last week, and Chanel raced to the window to investigate!! No, a farm life doesn’t feel right. Aww, so glad you are still making progress with your gurlies. As for the other cats you "might foster" but maybe can't in the scenarios you envisage, sometimes we have to commit to those cats who need us the most, whether or not it suits our preferences. Only you can decide whether that's Lucy, Coco and Chanel. We never know how long we have the cats who are with us and in our care. However much we plot, plan and propose, life often throws the unexpected in our path, and it's how we deal with that which counts for the cats in question. that is so very apt, Lucy has to come first in this situation though, although in the past I have put foster cats above my own. I’m not bothered by it being unconventional, it just has to be right for everyone, especially as I can’t guarantee whether Lucy would ever tolerate them enough to have complete access.

Paula - While Lucy seems to just hiss at other cats these days (although I have seen her hit Sooty on the bum recently!!), when they are in the house, she gets that worked up, I get hit, and I can’t touch her, so not sure how she would like ones living with her. Funnily enough the vet did ask if I thought she would like friends last week!! I could get the inside door mesh system my neighbour used to help introduce the rugrats, that wasn’t too expensive. Like I said, I have been testing the waters recently, she hisses at them and then walks away huffing at herself. Unfortunately an outdoor pen isn't an option Paula, I live in a back to back house so don't even have a back door, much less a garden.

Liz – being able to cope after being inside for so long is part of what makes me reluctant to find a farm type home for them, especially Chanel as she would have been dependent on mum before coming into rescue, so not sure if she would have the hunting instinct. Your comment about the breed rescue is why I’m reluctant to go down that avenue. I certainly wouldn’t want to just give it a go with Lucy, between her temperament and the work I’ve put in dealing with her issues, some of which I suspect have been caused by being confined with other cats. Not sure how easy Zylkene would be, all 3 prefer dry, the girls get RC Calm biscuits and calming treats, although Lucy has to have renal biscuits.

Lyn – yes, sadly I’ve been doing it 14 years at the end of this month, and its worse now than it was then!! The only room I haven’t used to foster is my bedroom, and that’s only so my own cats had a room!! I just don’t know if I am ready to give it up, it’s only been 14 years and over 250 cats/kittens. I’ve always held back on keeping cats, so I could continue to help more, although I am more involved in fundraising at the moment, so would still be volunteering, just in a different way, and the rescue I currently volunteer for have a slightly different take on fostering, they prefer me to look after them till they are ready to be homed, then go up to our ‘centre’ (well, the new place is a barn!!), which I don’t like, although I do the cat home visits, so still know where they are going. I might even find that even when Lucy is no longer here, I can’t take the room off them.

Gill – yes, they are stunning, but I can’t keep them just based on their looks. For me its their temperament that makes them hard to home. Yes, Lucy was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and arthritis in October 16, which is why she had an operation last year, they suspected last year she also has luxating patellas, early stage CKD last March, then Idiopathic hypercalcaemia (IHC) last August, and the treatment for CKD and IHC contradict each other, so its all a balancing act. It would be sad to move them on, but that is the whole point of fostering, to give them whatever they need to be able to move on and have a forever home. The problem in this case is what kind of home would take two semi-ferals who have no issue using claws and teeth, and are technically unhomeable.

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #111 on:** June 13, 2018, 07:40:03 AM »

Some excellent points and comments, as always, from your Purrs family, Desley.

Quote

folks will be thinking sweet Ragdoll rather than claws and language becoming a marine

Cudden have put it better.

And so true about their coats.

And Gill's right - you've done a great job with all three. It may be unconventional, and maybe not the sunshiniest scenario you'd have envisioned for these cats, but as Lyn has said about the Cat Mansion - we all know you could have a house the size of Buckingham Palace, and it still wouldn't solve the cat issues we have in this country let alone anywhere else.

Whereas for those 3 cats in your care, you're making a real difference. The best of all worlds, would be if they could learn to get along in the same house, even if it meant they moved around it without close contact with each other. And you're savvy enough to be able to make the additions to those rooms to keep the cat super-highway moving along.

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Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #110 on:** June 12, 2018, 23:44:36 PM »

DESLEY THEY ARE STUNNING CATS AS IS LUCY AND IN YOUR SHOES AFTER ALL THE WORK I WOULD KEEP THEM.

I DIDNT REALIZE THAT LUCY HAD HEALTH ISSUES BUT THINK YOU HAVE GIVEN ALL 3 SUCH A GREAT HOME IT WOULD BE SAD TO MOVE COCO AND CHANEL ON.

YOU HAVE HAD ALL 3 FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW, PLEASE DONT CHANGE IT.

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #109 on:** June 12, 2018, 21:24:34 PM »

Desley, unfortunately there will always be more cats needing fostering than space for them. You could have a mansion with a cat family in each room and it still wouldn't be enough. Knowing that, I think you be should do what you think is right for the 3 cats currently in your care, rather than worrying about those you have never met.

I know that whatever you decide will have been thoroughly thought through with the welfare of the 3 cats uppermost in your mind

Liz · « **Reply #108 on:** June 12, 2018, 20:01:52 PM »

Although it may be rough to start with sometimes letting the door open and see how it goes - they may surprise you

Re the farm thing I don't think to be honest they wouuld be suitable after being inside and fed for so long also their coats would become a mess then they would need to be trapped and that opens a whole new can of worms.

Some Zylkene and plug ins at the ready and a weeks holiday with no interuptions and give it a go would be my way

As they look pedigree folks will be thinking sweet Ragdoll rather than claws and language becoming a marine

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #107 on:** June 12, 2018, 18:05:19 PM »

I know that Lucy has an aversion to other cats, but is there any possibility that as she will sniff in the doorway and hiss that she may come round at all, if the hostilities are limited to hisses............ Merlin still chases Emo from time to time and she still hisses at him if he walks past too closely, yet they often sleep within a couple of feet of each other. Either like this morning at the top of the landing or on our bed.

Sue posted while I was writing, but some of her thoughts closely mirror my own. We don't know them like you do obviously and as she says you have invested so much time and energy with all three cats, you equally obviously have fallen in love with them. These are the ones you have now not potential future cats that may need help.

I know that there are always going to be cats needing fosterers, maybe an outside structure for those would be possible with a bit of financial help from the rescue?

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #106 on:** June 12, 2018, 18:00:53 PM »

Desley, are these the only two alternatives?

Forgive the questions, but am not sure if there are any other volunteers who may be able to take over and/or continue the work you've started with both Coco and Chanel? Am guessing not, and that's why they've been with you for so long.

Am also wondering if it might be possible to put the word out through some of the pedigree cat rescues that these two need a very special home with someone who has bags of patience, and preferably access to a safe and secure outside run, but appreciate you may have already tried that. I know these two aren't pedigree as such, but they're attractive enough to interest people who are used to the breed characteristics and temperaments such cats can present, and many have safe access to outdoors arrangements. Then again, you may feel that could attract the wrong sort of interest, with people only taking account of appearances and not much else.

I suspect that you wouldn't really want these to go somewhere that you couldn't personally vet and judge for yourself, having invested so much of yourself in their care and welfare.

I know Lucy isn't keen on other cats, but then neither are Coco and Chanel. I'm wondering whether it would be apocalypse now if they all ended having the run of the house, or whether they may learn to keep to ultimately rub along together. Is it worth giving it a cautious try-out?

I agree that I don't think it's fair to cats to have a permanent home which is a one room solution, but then I can see why it would be heartbreaking to see these two go to a farm setting too, and to be honest, I'm not sure they'd adapt that well, even with the freedoms. Looking at them, it just doesn't feel quite right.

It would be great to get Sheila's opinion. With her farm contacts and her ability to place cats so well, her input would be invaluable on the likely scenarios you're considering.

Thinking about our two gurlies, we both knew that we couldn't part with them, even with their violent tendencies and unpredictability - and it was a very close thing, believe me. I wont ever forget how close we came to it. Yet thinking of them huddled up together, looking so fierce yet so vulnerable to those who might not "get" what they were about, I shudder even now at what might have been. And yes, we still can't "handle" them in the proper and accepted sense, but I've just enjoyed a 15 minute snuggly session with Malt after tea - and she instigated it. She wanted it. She asked for it. My God, how much that lifts my heart. And I suspect you're the same with every hard won victory you witness with Coco and Chanel.

I still recall when I would approach Malt and she would run from me. Then when she had the courage to stand her ground, she would visibly flinch when I went to touch her, and I would back off, and then we'd both end up looking like we'd lost a tenner and found a pound.

And then Barley - so craving affection, so bold in many respects yet still terrified if we stand up and move about around her.

It's a roller-coaster, but I think you've made such a difference to these three cats already, that any decision you make will be taken after a huge amount of thought, and with a quiet determination that is all your own. I think you'll find a way. As for the other cats you "might foster" but maybe can't in the scenarios you envisage, sometimes we have to commit to those cats who need us the most, whether or not it suits our preferences. Only you can decide whether that's Lucy, Coco and Chanel. We never know how long we have the cats who are with us and in our care. However much we plot, plan and propose, life often throws the unexpected in our path, and it's how we deal with that which counts for the cats in question.

That probably doesn't help you at all!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #105 on:** June 11, 2018, 13:27:55 PM »

Yes, it is a big step Paula, which is why I’m contemplating this rather than ringing the woman I volunteer for to suggest it. I’ve never discussed Lucy’s lifespan with the vet, I think when she had the initial CKD diagnosis, it wasn’t bad because it was picked up on the early detection test, but not sure how much the IHC will affect that, I Think it all depends on how well we can manage it – I know when we had the diet/medication conversation last year, she said it would be her kidneys that would get her first. I just don’t know whether having the outdoor space would be enough for them, potentially for years. Equally, I’m not sure we could find anyone to take them as they are, and I would really hate to put them on a farm after the work I’ve put in or with how much they enjoy sleeping in front of the radiator. Neither have attempted to escape, I suspect Coco is just glad to have somewhere warm, safe and 3 meals a day, Chanel doesn’t know much different. The loft hatch is in there, I did wonder how easy it would be to enclose a bit of that for them to have a bit of extra space, but they couldn’t stay in the room while it was being done, and nowhere else really to put them. A few times recently I haven’t fully shut the door behind me and Lucy has peeked in at them, she hisses at them – neither of the girls react to that though.

The other downside of course is I wouldn't have space to foster anything else, I've always stopped myself from adopting too many so that I can continue to foster.

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #104 on:** June 11, 2018, 00:45:36 AM »

It is a big step Desley, are you sure about this? They do seem to be coming on with you although Lucy is a massive factor. What sort of life expectancy does Lucy have? I am sorry it is a very bald question, but has to be considered.

Is it fair on Coco and Chanel to be in a smallish room for an intermediate amount of time? An access to outside will help massively. Sorry, lots of questions.

Author Topic: Meet Coco and Chanel (Read 5407 times)