As I was initially
looking to adopt a Siamese - Sasha was the one I was interested in.
(I have kept that
name as she seemed to recognize it and respond to it very well). With our
introduction - she seemed to have a gentle personality that went along with
that very Beautiful face. She appeared friendly and comfortable around me. Not
much on being held, but I was completely confident that we would be able to
bond just fine. I was also aware of Baby Blue - and told they were half-
sisters, or from the same home if nothing else - and that the HSBC was hoping
to place them together. Baby Blue was extremely scared of pretty much anything
that moved, and subsequently hid atop the kitchen cabinets in the office there.
My first thought was only that I wouldn't even want a cat that was in hiding
all the time. I mean - What's the point? But after spending a considerable
amount of time with both of them that day - BBlue did come down, and allowed me
to hold her and seemed somewhat OK with me. And she Was a pretty kitty! So. . .
out of concern for BB's welfare (and maybe a little guilt at the thought of
separating them) - I chose to adopt them both. After the papers were signed,
and kitties secured in their carriers, with their voices raised in concern - we
buckled them up in the car and off I went - back to Minnesota. The girls were
raising such a ruckus that all I could think was that this was going to be a
Very Long drive home! ha ha ha Two miles down the road - All was quiet! That is
- until I would look at them and ask them how they were doing?!? They would
tell me plenty! Two more miles - all was quiet again! And so on it went . . .
(kinda funny actually)
Now ~ The ridiculous
story I Must Confess………………… (because I can laugh about it Now !)
Once we arrived at
home – each was brought in and released. I live in a roomy 1 bedroom apartment
with a nice private closet for their litter boxes. Sasha made herself right at
home lounging on the bed. Baby Blue was nowhere to be found. And I DO mean NO
Where. After literally
tearing the apartment apart for over an hour – searching Over & Over in
Every conceivable hiding spot – and even illogical ones – I began to panic……… I
mean seriously – this apartment is Only SO Big – where could she be?!? I began
to question whether I had inadvertently left the patio door open for even the
briefest moment and she had escaped. I didn’t remember doing it – but it was
the only answer in my mind.
Well – this is Great
– How do I explain to the HSBC that I had Baby Blue home for 20 minutes and
then LOST Her ?!? I felt like such a horrible care-taker !!! And so began several
hours of a frantic search for her. Beginning with making fliers to post in the
area (thank goodness for that picture on your web site!) – talking to local
businesses – even calling the sheriff’s department with a heads-up in the event
the lost kitty showed up somewhere. I called and had to leave a message with
the local Vet – in case someone brought in an abandoned kitty. I scoured the
neighborhood blocks on foot – looked in trees – though I knew that IF she were
out there somewhere – she would be scared to death and in some obscure hiding
spot.
After several hours
of searching and no kitty to be found – I gave up for the night. I had done all I could
until morning – and I would begin again with posting even more fliers. Exhausted and Very
upset – I decided to try and relax – and watch a movie from my collection. I
opened the drawer to the armoire in the living room – and was scared half outta
my wits by this gray ball of fluff in the drawer! “WHAT ?!?!? How the heck did
you Ever get in there?!?” was all I could exclaim. I pulled her out and hugged
her and slightly scolded her for making mom worry so !!!! “Kids” !! And so – I called
the Sheriff back – said the kitty was found (though I did not tell them where –
they would have thought I was even more nuts!) haha And here ended out
initial drama ! ha ha
Unknown to me – the
bottom was not sealed off and there was room enough behind the drawers to simply
crawl up into them. It became a favorite spot for the first couple weeks – for
both of them - until I decided, I just had to close it off. Sorry girls – there
are plenty of other spots to hide out. . . And I don’t think they were too
happy about it either!
More issues began
the second night at home . . . I noticed a couple of small scabby spots on
Sasha’s neck and shoulder. By the next day – they were getting bigger. By
Monday morning, she had 3 sections she had licked away the fur completely. I
called the vet and took her in – getting her into the carrier was a horrible
ordeal for her (two men were here at the time fixing something in the bathroom
– did she have issues with men?) Once out of the apartment, she calmed down and
was very quiet and completely at ease at the vet’s office.
They diagnosed the
issues as hot spots. She had an antibiotic for 10 days – along with a salve – which
she would lick off. I stopped with the salve after 2 weeks, out of concern for
her tummy. The spots healed on their own. But more continue to develop. Then
heal. It is hard to tell
what the Initial cause was – nor the fact that it continues: I have new carpet
– new flooring – she has a new home – new food – and the added trauma of the
medicines. It was obvious she then no longer trusted me – as I’m the one with
the oral medicine and salve. (although I Always approached with a gentle voice,
reassurance, and felt I tried to be non-threatening)
Several weeks have
passed now and she is finally trusting me again – is no longer hiding out – but
continues to lick away her fur in spots. (I am concerned about all this) I know I need to get
her in again for a thorough check up and possibly vaccines – but I worry about
the trauma of the vet visit. I have decided to leave the carrier out and
visible, in order for her to get used to it. Baby Blue (“Kitters”) – on the
other hand – is Thriving! After the first few days of hiding under the bed –
she finally decided (with some coaxing) that it was alright to come out.
We have long play
time sessions chasing feathers and a light laser once or twice a day and she will sit in
my lap sometimes. (Sasha is Finally playing as well !) They both allow me to
clip their claws (they’re So good!) and I do have a scratching thingy for them
– which they Really Love! They have their own chair (as well as other places)
to sleep. They enjoy getting brushed, and treat time every day, along with
assorted toys available at all times, And their favorite: a “Sock Buddy” filled
with cat nip. They sometimes even nap with it.
I will say that it
has been a huge surprise to see their personalities here with me. What I had
truly expected did not end up that way. Had I just taken Sasha, I would have
felt cheated with having to deal with one nervous, un-cuddley kitty. Baby Blue
(Kitters) is the one that would have been left behind – and she has turned out
to be the best treat of all ! Baby Blue (Kitters) is truly a much better
companion than Sasha will probably ever be (as she does Not like to be held at
All !) Kitters is waiting for me at the door after work, and tends to follow me
around. She has even become more social with outside people visiting. Sasha IS
Finally coming around and more visible and interacting with me, but hides when
people are here. I’m hoping with time we will figure out what is causing her
hot spots and she will truly relax.
Sasha does enjoy a
nice scratching and tummy rub – but on her terms. And how can I not
love that beautiful face. She IS such a gorgeous cat ! (my photos do Not do her
justice) She is definitely unique – and I will do what I can to make her life
comfortable & Happy. Either way –
different breeds – different personalities, but we are All in this together -
and a family now - for the long haul . . .
Thanks much to
Brenda for helping me get fixed up with the girls.
p.s. to Brenda . . .
. A note of interest > If you recall - Baby Blue was the one that preferred
to retreat and hideout in her special cave style sleeper. In fact – you sent
her home with me in that, as we thought it would help her transition better.
Well. . . once she stepped foot into my apartment – she Never has set foot in
that thing again ! I can’t believe it !
So therefore, I have
finally washed it up, and will ship it/re-donate it to you (HSBC) for use with
another needy critter.
Thanks again So Much to everyone !
