Meet Ginger!
Friday, September 24, 2010 by Amy
So, we got a cat. First, because we have mice. Second, because we simply wanted one!
We went to the Animal Refuge League. They have a very thorough way of evaluating cats based on their personalities. Then, the families fill out a survey and are matched with a category of cats that would best suit the household.
We were told that Ginger was a stray, who came to the shelter either right before delivering a litter, or right after. She went to a foster home until the kittens were old enough to adopt out. She then returned to the shelter where she nursed and cared for an orphaned kitten, and then was spayed. She's a total love bug! She's about 2 years old and could stand to put a little meat on her bones!
Rudi was the one who fell in love with her right away. When he walked by her cage, she came right up to him and rubbed up against his hand. I thought that the person who is the least fond of cats should have the most say in what cat we get!
Ginger is living in the sewing/computer room for now, until she adjusts more. She has not met Lola yet, although they are both aware of the other's presence on the other side of the door. Riley and Avery wake up in the morning and play with Ginger first thing, even before breakfast. In a few days we will take Ginger's bedding and give it to Lola to sniff, and give Lola's to Ginger to sniff. Then we'll set up their food bowls on opposite sides of the door (luckily the sewing room has two doors). Eventually, Lola will meet Ginger for a brief period of time. The adoption lady said this was the best way since Lola has never been around cats before. She said that sometimes you can introduce them early and everything will be fine, but you cannot redo the first introduction. If it goes badly, they can have a bad/tense/angry/adversarial/etc. relationship forever. So, it's best to take it slow and cautious.
So far, she is out of the timid stage and is seeming more comfortable. She is out of hiding and investigating the room. She asks for petting. All is well so far!
And, being a stray, I hope she can mouse. Finding mouse turds on the dining room table is not cool at all. I also was quite confused when I saw a lot of black rubber in the silverware drawer, and then realized that a mouse had chewed the handle of one of our knives. Yuck. I can totally share space with a mouse or two if they respect my boundaries, but now war has been declared!
We went to the Animal Refuge League. They have a very thorough way of evaluating cats based on their personalities. Then, the families fill out a survey and are matched with a category of cats that would best suit the household.
We were told that Ginger was a stray, who came to the shelter either right before delivering a litter, or right after. She went to a foster home until the kittens were old enough to adopt out. She then returned to the shelter where she nursed and cared for an orphaned kitten, and then was spayed. She's a total love bug! She's about 2 years old and could stand to put a little meat on her bones!
Rudi was the one who fell in love with her right away. When he walked by her cage, she came right up to him and rubbed up against his hand. I thought that the person who is the least fond of cats should have the most say in what cat we get!
Ginger is living in the sewing/computer room for now, until she adjusts more. She has not met Lola yet, although they are both aware of the other's presence on the other side of the door. Riley and Avery wake up in the morning and play with Ginger first thing, even before breakfast. In a few days we will take Ginger's bedding and give it to Lola to sniff, and give Lola's to Ginger to sniff. Then we'll set up their food bowls on opposite sides of the door (luckily the sewing room has two doors). Eventually, Lola will meet Ginger for a brief period of time. The adoption lady said this was the best way since Lola has never been around cats before. She said that sometimes you can introduce them early and everything will be fine, but you cannot redo the first introduction. If it goes badly, they can have a bad/tense/angry/adversarial/etc. relationship forever. So, it's best to take it slow and cautious.
So far, she is out of the timid stage and is seeming more comfortable. She is out of hiding and investigating the room. She asks for petting. All is well so far!
And, being a stray, I hope she can mouse. Finding mouse turds on the dining room table is not cool at all. I also was quite confused when I saw a lot of black rubber in the silverware drawer, and then realized that a mouse had chewed the handle of one of our knives. Yuck. I can totally share space with a mouse or two if they respect my boundaries, but now war has been declared!
