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SASSY & SOPHIE ARE IN THE SAME ROOM TOGETHER!!!
For anyone new to our blog or for anyone who doesn’t know Sassy’s story, let me give a short recap. She came to us as a stray in November of 2013 – a little over a year ago. She was (and is) very sweet, but she was also rather temperamental. One moment she would be happily laying in my lap purring, and the next she would be hissing and biting me for seemingly no reason. I can’t even keep count of how many times she’s bitten me and drawn blood.
(Before anyone suggests that her bad temperament is the result of a health issue, she has been the vet and everything is normal and healthy.)
The other cats?! Well, being around them was out of the question. At the sight or smell of any of the other cats, Sassy would go into a hissy fit. She wanted nothing to do with them. Because of her temperament issues, she has had to be kept separated from the other cats. The upstairs of our house is her domain. Sassy is also FIV+, but that on it’s own is not a problem. However, FIV and biting is not a good combination.
I’m not going to speculate as to why Sassy is the way she is – I have no idea. I don’t know her past, I don’t know where she came from, and I don’t know how she contracted FIV (although I can assume it was most likely from fighting). I just know that I couldn’t let her coexist with the other cats as long as she was biting me hard enough to draw blood and as long as she freaked out at the sight of other cats.
Over the past year, we have been working with Sassy to make steps towards her coexisting with the others. We’ve spent lot of time with her, just loving on her and cuddling. We’ve put Delilah/Sampson/Sophie in a carrier and brought them into Sassy’s upstairs territory so she could see and smell them. We’ve used positive reinforcement by feeding Sassy on one side of the door while the other cats were on the opposite side. For a long time, it seemed like a lost cause. Sassy’s temperament never seemed to get better, I always had scratches and bite marks on my hands (and sometimes face), and her attitude towards the other cats never seemed to change. To be honest, I’ve felt like giving up on many occasions. I knew I could never give up on Sassy though – I believe in her and love her too much to do that.
In the last month or two things have begun to change. She has been calmer, less temperamental. Our cuddling and lovey times haven’t been ending in a hissing and biting rage. I can’t remember the last time she drew blood. I’ve carried Sophie into Sassy’s territory, and Sassy has barely seemed to care, maybe issuing the obligatory hiss and then carrying on with her business. So last week, I asked my husband to bring Sophie into Sassy’s territory and set her down on the futon. He was sure not to take his hands off Sophie in case she needed to be extracted quickly, but in she came! Sassy looked up when Sophie came into the room, but she didn’t hiss. She didn’t growl. She didn’t attack or run away. I got a bag of treats and gave Sassy some in front of where Sophie was (Sophie got some too, of course). Sassy gobbled them right up, never seeming to care that Sophie was right there, one foot away from her. She did eventually hiss one time, but that was it.
It was amazing. One year ago, or even just 4-5 months ago, this would have never happened.
We still have some work to do before Sassy can freely coexist with the other cats, but I am filled with so much hope that that time is not too far off. She has come so far, and I just know that it’s possible. And I can’t wait!!!
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2 more days!!!
From now until February 14th, 100% of the proceeds made from any bow tie and flower sales will be donated to Catwork in support of the “Real-Life FIV” project they are working on. You can read more about the project in our blog post from last week. The bow ties and flowers make super cute accessories for your pet. If your pet does not wear a collar or would not like wearing one, you can always purchase one for an animal at your local shelter. Who knows — they may help attract the attention of a potential adopter! Please help us spread the word about FIV and to raise awareness for this misunderstood disease! |
Paws up to you for working so diligently with Sassy! She is one of those kitties that needs a lot of work and a lot of humans would not have hung in there. I’m glad you did, and are continuing to do so.
Thank you being so patient with Sassy. It took me forever when I was in high school to get my old lady cat Daisy to accept Lucie. She HATED that kitten and made it clear it was not welcome. Over time, they learned to co-exist and became the best of friends. <3
I have seen various attempts at getting cats to live with other cats. Parker left the shed (and would have left the feral colony had I not tried hard to keep her there) when the kittens were born the next spring. When I was about 9 or 10, we kept one of Samantha’s kittens; Sam and Sandy did not get along well afterward. Parker sometimes visits with me when I return to the farm; she gets along with one of my parents’ inside cats better than the other.
Wow! Well done!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I’m so glad you’re making progress! Slowly and surely…
Wow! You’ve done some great work to give Sassy a happy home. Pets need homes like yours, way to go 🙂
What great news! I know someone with a similar situation, hopefully she will have the same great results!
I don’t have a cat at the moment but I definitely remember how temperamental some can be. The beautiful cat I grew up with would freak out suddenly when I was petting her, sort of like that meme that says “you can pet my belly, but exactly 3 times only.” I’m so glad to see them in the same room together – a true testament to the virtue of patience.
What a wonderful update. While there is no telling her history, it is clear that she is finally learning to trust. SO glad you are sticking by her though this…..
way to go! I know how important those milestones can be
Congratulations on the new book. I subscribed to your newsletter and look forward to your pet peeves and advice!
Sassy lucked out when she found you. Most people wouldn’t have been so patient in getting her adjusted to a new home. Congratulations that your efforts are paying off for both of you.
That is wonderful news! We are so happy you are not giving up on Sassy! Sophie , great job making Sassy feel at ease. Slow and steady wins the race! 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
Oh, that is wonderful! What a great progress Sassy has made! And you and your husband made it possible…your understanding, patience and love. I hope she can live in the same space with other kitties eventually, and I’m sure it’ll happen!
Hurray! We know what a hassle it is to have kitties that don’t get along – it took 1.5 years for Crepes and Peabody to be in the same room without growling and now they’re happy as little clams, as long as those clams don’t touch each other for prolonged periods. We have faith in Sassy. Keep it up! – Alana.
Fantastic! hope the process is quick and peaceful coexistence is not too far off.
That is great! Believe me, we know what it is like with Sister Precious.
What amazing progress!! Well done! 🙂
This is great news! It can take a long time to ease the mental/spiritual wounds she may have received in her life before your home. Any step forward is big progress. I hope that it continues!
Mom Emily with a cat on her head. MOL! This is such excellent news. Whenever cats that have been antisocial begin to change and interact, it really is heartwarming. We know this is only possible because you and Bobby have been so patient and loving. Astrid has e-mailed Sampy something, and she is so excited and pleased that he likes their photo. She knows that tomorrow will be the anniversary of their first date and so she is sending him a total of all the kisses she has sent him in the past. Please join us Sunday for the Selfies blog hop. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Time makes a world of difference – we are happy to see these guys getting friendlier!
high paws N headbonks two ewe sassy !!!!
thiz iz mega awesum way kewl…..we bet a few monthz frum now, ewe will sew bee chillaxin with everee one…everee wear…. all…de…time……may bee even playin de card game…go fish !!
happee heartz day oh love two everee one N heerz two a topminnow & trumpetfish kinda week oh end ♥♥♥
So inspiring! Here’s to better days ahead.
Super pawesome job – such love and commitment – so amazing!
PAWTASTIC NEWS!! You are to be commended for your diligence!!! Fabulous example of when we do not give up on our pets, they will come through for us!
Patience is certainly one of your virtues, obvious from your compassion for Sassy cat. She is ever so lucky a cat to be in your heart and home. Hopefully now that she has taken that first step, further steps towards interaction with the others will come a bit more quickly.
OMC Dat’s so pawsum. Weez all got da leaky eyes here. Weez so happy fur good signs and even more so dat yous not gven up on Sassy. Come on Sassy we know yous can do it, and it’ll be so pawsum to hav so many pawsum brofurs and sisfurs.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Happy Valentine’s Day!
This is WONDERFUL news!!! Sometimes it just takes a lot of baby steps and patience to get a kitty to being able to tolerate – and maybe even like – the other kitties in the home. I can’t wait to hear how this progresses. I have total faith that Sassy will continue to improve, and hope and pray that she will be able to run around unsupervised with the other kitties someday!
Well done ! It’s pawsome ! Happy Valentine’s Day ! Purrs
Progress is wonderful!!
Fantastic! hope the process is quick and peaceful coexistence is not too far off.
Progress is wonderful!!
Fantastic! hope the process is quick and peaceful coexistence is not too far off.
Progress is wonderful!!