Unfortunately, today is also lining up to be a hectic day. The kids are still here (they leave tomorrow, as do we) and there are one hundred thousand things to do. Yesterday I accumulated several hundred emails, but instead of actually being productive work-wise, Jeff and I spent the afternoon working on a puzzle and then watching
(am I the only one who laughs with insane immature laughter at that film? Really?)
It seemed the thing to do.
There goes the career, then.
I've mentioned Maggie and Mumin recently, and they're on my mind. Both of them are hurtling towards being 8 years old. Mumin wants to be outside constantly, and only wants to come in late evening. I've no idea what she gets up to, but like a slightly nutty over-protective mother, I worry about foxes getting hold of her.
As we live in a rural area, the foxes are indeed a big threat-one night this summer we were sleeping when we heard screaming. Absolute, hideous, terrified screaming. It was horrifying. We grabbed flashligths (torches) and looked outside frantically to see what was going on-surprisingly, it wasn't a woman being tied to train tracks, someone withnessing the results of a home perm, or a remake of Halloween-it was a rabbit caught in the jaws of a fox. The fox dashed away with its terrorized prey, but I just couldn't believe it until a neighbor confirmed it-rabbits can scream when frightened. They scream.
I'll never forget that one.
So that's the Mumin worry then.
Maggie is a little bit more.
Maggie has never, ever been a friendly cat. On occasion she'll deign to sit on your lap for a while, but it's on her terms, always. She used to be my ex's cat and preferred him over all. Now, she prefers me, but only just. She and Mumin-once incredibly, fascinatingly close-now have nothing to do with each other. Apparently, I am hosting Nicole and Paris in the house, only not getting any commission.
But it's not that which has me worried-lately (past few months) Maggie has crossed from unfriendly cat-like behavior to being psychotic. She'll fly at people when they visit, without provocation. Angus' kids know to sidestep her, as she hisses and tries to pop them with her paws. I know it's not that Angus' kids have ever mistreated her-they absolutely would never do that as they're both mad about pets. It is true that Maggie once had a bad experience with kids, but she didn't mind them after that occasion. It's also true that Maggie had a bad experience with a kid earlier this summer (remember Erica? The 4 year old? Yeah. She tried to drag Maggie by her arms and got scratched as a thank you. While I applied a Band-Aid, I silently thought that Maggie defending herself was a good idea.)
But it's not just kids-Maggie no longer likes anyone but Angus or I. She's openly hostile and unpleasant, and her target is children. I worry about this, and have spoken to the vet who assured me that it's likely just age getting to Maggie. My little girl just isn't so little. My worries are that she'll get worse with children, to the point that maybe sometime Angus' ex complains (because she'll have a go at him about anything related to me.) If that happens...well, I don't know what will happen.
My little girl is unhappy and I don't know how to fix it.
So in the midst of what I should be doing (working, cleaning up, packing, puzzles) I stopped, shut the bedroom door, and she and I laid in the sun and relaxed for a while.
-H.
1
Maybe you should get Maggie some kitty prozac. She is just getting ornery in her old age. It's just like with people. Sometimes as they grow older they get crotchety and cross. Others start out that way and then mellow out. I've seen both cases in people as well as animals. My Zoe has always had the best disposition. She's shy with people initially and then once she gets used to their presence being in her domain she is very loving and affectionate and in constant need of attention. I adopted her, so for the first year of her life she lived outdoors until I got her. For the past 7 1/2 years she has been a strictly indoor cat. I am lucky that she has never once wanted to leave the house. In fact, I'm sure I could leave the door wide open (and have) & she would never even attempt to venture out. So I understand your concerns with Mumin. I would be terrified for Zoe. At least Mumin is seasoned to the outdoors and I'm sure (he/she?) will be able to take care of himself or herself.
Posted by: kimmykins13 at November 01, 2006 02:40 PM (QW8XY)
2
Hi -- lurker here, de-lurking.
Did the vet actually see Maggie, or was it a telephone enquiry? Sometimes physical illnesses can result in crankiness, just like in humans, and in aged cats, hyperthyroidism and renal problems can be issues. There's Clomicalm for dogs, and I think there has been documented usage in cats, but I'm not sure if there is a proper drug equivalent for cats. Still, drugging kitty for the rest of her life isn't a great option, although it's an option nonetheless.
On a slightly separate note, I've seen a bunny cry out, once, and he died a few hours after. It's very primal and disconcerting.
Okay, that's all. Just thought I'd write a little about the animals.
I do love your writing, and, um, this is getting awkward now, so I'll stop.
Posted by: J. at November 01, 2006 03:34 PM (uJa00)
3
Hi, this is Ms. Pants, what's your favourite colour?! :-p
Rabbits do indeed howl when terrified or in pain. It's horrific. I learned about that when reading about cosmetics testing on animals (mainly rabbits) which I certainly don't recommend unless you'd like to spend the next 24 hours alternating between wracking sobs and vomiting. That's why I figure we should leave the little creatures alone. Bunnies don't need mascara. Let's do all cosmetic testing on child predators. They're technically human which is who will be using the end product. Why not just start with the right testing subject?
As for the kitty--I hate to say it, but the introduction of Gorby might also be a factor. If you think about it, a dog is relativley child-sized. She might associate him with little wretched, unbehaved children. (Read: not your steps.) The kitty prozac might be a good idea if it gets worse and worse, but I'd say to keep trying to make one-on-one time with her. It might help.
And 8 is pretty young for cats now, I'm finding. Bel is about 10 and still very kitteny at times. Goobers lived to be 19.
Posted by: Ms. Pants at November 01, 2006 03:40 PM (r6SJw)
4
No, you are NOT the only one who laughs at _Elf_. It's on our list of "must-see" Christmas DVD's right alongside _It's A Wonderful Life_ and _A Christmas Story_
In fact, our holiday greeting on the call-notes is "Buddy the Elf! What's your favorite color?".
Will Farrell just cracks me up. Always has, and (hopefully) always will.
Posted by: ~Easy at November 01, 2006 04:43 PM (jNXlM)
5
Boy, do I know the howling bunny terror. My cat brought her little prize into the house ... still alive, blood, guts and all. So, after carefully removing the little critter from the jaws of the beast, we place him in a soft towel, box him up and tote him to the wild animal refuge. After driving nearly an hour with this shivering bunny, the shelter's learned guru 60's type volunteer blasts me for, almost certainly, killing this wild creature by too much handling ...Needless to say, I put a $20 bill in their donation box.
Posted by: nojo at November 01, 2006 04:45 PM (MAluk)
6
One more thing, H ... cats will be cats.
And, P.S.: I enjoy your posts so much.. thanks.
Posted by: nojo at November 01, 2006 04:50 PM (MAluk)
7
I do think I need to take her in to see a vet. Maybe it's nothing, but she should have some attention. Angus will say I'm over-reacting, but...
I do worry that Gorby has been a factor, too. Maggie used to be mates with her former Dog-Mate, Ed. These days, although Mumin and Gorby are besties, Maggie likes to deliver a decided pop to Gorby whenever the fancy takes her (Gorby is the subject of Maggie. We all are.)
My poor baby.
And I am absolutely going to be answering the phone that way. "Hi, this is Helen, what's your favorite color?" I nearly wet myself at that scene. That, and him putting the star on the tree? Those scenes got watched, re-wound, and watched again time after time.
I'm so childish.
Posted by: Helen at November 01, 2006 05:22 PM (X98QV)
8
The experience with the yanking could have
had more of an effect than you realized.
I mean she is an older cat, and getting her paws
and shoulders yanked like that would hurt a lot more. She could have been sore/tender from that
(or something else that kid might have done that
you just didnt see) for a long time, or even just have a touch of arthritis. Her aggression could
partially just be that she can't tell you that she is hurting.
Also, her life has changed a LOT
in the last year. She went from having a quiet life with you and Angus, to a new house, a dog,
and suddenly lots of people coming over as you are entertaining more. Since a couple of those strangers chase her and yank her and hit her and
the dog, she has no way of knowing anymore when she is safe and when she is not. Everything in her world has changed, and it sounds more like she is frightened than just being old and cranky. She has no way of telling you any of this, and
maybe she is also confused about you. I mean,
because you are there with the groups of strangers
and the scary neice and the dog. The things that
have hurt/scared her recently have also always had you somewhere in the picture. That has got to be confusing and distressing. She used to have you pretty much all to herself, now nothing in her world is for certain anymore. Even though Angus's children are kind, they are visiting more often and that is new. I would imagine that the
household is different when they are visiting than when it's just the two of you, that can also be stressful and confusing..escpecially after spending the first 7 years of her life in
a pretty quiet household, where it was mostly
just you and one other person, and i'm assuming the environment was fairly consistent with not a whole lot of drastic changes.
The other cat has the escape of the outdoors, but this one wants to be inside, which must be harder. Maybe the agression you are seeing in them recently is simply because they no longer feel secure, and everything is a little bit scary when it never used to be, and they never know what change/event the next day may bring.
I think if you are able to make some quiet time
with her like you did today as often as possible,
even for short periods, she will begin to feel secure again. And she will associate that whenever you are in the room, everything is okay and she is safe- instead of focusing on what appears to her as unexpected chaos with strangers in her home.
I'm sure she loves you and you have been her world her whole life..she is just not understanding why anything had to change. And
she doesnt know what will happen to her in the
midst of it all.
This has been my experience, at least... so I thought I would just offer it as food for thought.
Posted by: hd at November 01, 2006 06:06 PM (4dWnl)
9
Kitty prozac might be a good idea, but you have to remember that the kitty girls have been under a lot of stress in the last year, a new dog-brother, and a new house, and all the new and moved things in the house.
And don't discount your own stress. They can sense that too.
Perhaps you should just let the girly have a little more time to get used to things and see what happens, if she chills out any.
Maybe a little "normal time" would be a good thing for all of yous.
Posted by: caltechgirl at November 01, 2006 06:58 PM (/vgMZ)
10
Hee hee! That's my favorite Elf line too! I also laugh like a crazy person at it so don't feel ashamed.
Poor Maggie. I don't pretend to have kitty advice - I'm relatively new to having cats, having always been more of a dog person. But maybe the vet can provide some assistance so you don't have to worry about her attitude getting her and you in trouble!
Posted by: donna at November 01, 2006 07:45 PM (xmUU6)
11
The bunny thing? Yeah... it's horrific. Been there, done that.
The kitty? We just do what we can. Everyone seems to have some good offerings for you. I'll just wish you good luck with it all...
Posted by: sue at November 01, 2006 10:02 PM (WbfZD)
12
Hmmmm, maybe she IS jealous of Mumin and Gorby, and feeling left out. It is bad when a pet begins to act hostile to anyone, but especially to children. When my grandkids come, my cats hide under the beds. After they leave, the cats come out and sit on me for hours. They seem to be jealous when I give any attention to the children. Maybe Maggie is jealous of your time, jealous of Gorby and Mumin and jealous that Gorby is there at all.
Posted by: kenju at November 02, 2006 04:50 AM (L8e9z)
13
There's this stuff called Feliway. It's like a glade plugin air freshener, but releases happy cat hormones instead. Worked well with our stressed cat. Just plug in near where she likes to hang out. It might work. Also, buy some Bach Rescue Remedy. I'll be honest I think Bach flower remedies are total rubbish, BUT I have seen success with them. You'd just add drops to the drinking water. Might was well try it eh? I think the feliway would be a good investment. Isn't cheap, but happy cats = good.
Posted by: dani at November 02, 2006 06:16 AM (tsq+l)
14
Two things:
1. I love Elf as well - I think because I can so relate to being the tallest person in the room who wants to hug and squeeze everyone....It's been an awkward life that way.
2. I also love how much you care for your cats. Particularly on this day when I've been dealing with someone who believes its ok to harm cats ( some of the work I do is for a stray cat advocacy group) - anyway - glad you're in the world.
Posted by: gigi at November 02, 2006 06:43 AM (iiCpA)
15
I agree with the feliway. It works like a plug-in...you can order it cheapest through jefferspet.com, but I'm not sure how the whole international shipping thing would work. Probably cheapest to get it locally.
Anyhow, I use it for my four cats (plus the roommate's - so five total) and it works wonders. In fact, I don't EVER go without it. Before you take any medicinal action, I would attempt this first. Also, feliway has a spray that kiddos could spray on their clothing to reduce kitty's anxiety. Just a thought.
Feliway works with phermones...it's an AWESOME product. I swear by the stuff. Try it for a coupla months and see if you note any difference in her behavior.
Posted by: Dana at November 05, 2006 02:29 PM (MxZ0R)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
