The KCC Adventure Team has officially grown! Sassy has joined the ranks as the newest adventure kitty team member. I took her out for some backyard explorations a couple days ago, and she loved it. I just wish I had thought of taking her out sooner. It was actually my husband’s idea, and I am so grateful to him for it.
For those who might not know, Sassy has her own living quarters in our home. She has some temperament issues and can be quite aggressive, so she has to be kept separate from our other 6 cats. Don’t worry though – it’s not like she’s secluded and lonely all the time. Sassy’s room is also my husband’s office/music room, so she has regular human interaction and companionship. We also put the other cats up in our bedroom and let Sassy have free reign of the house for a couple hours every day.
Despite all of this, I always feel guilty when it comes to Sassy. I’ve feel like I’ve failed her because after years of trying to get her to coexist with any of our other cats, I’ve had no success. That’s why you don’t see her on the blog very often. I’ve failed her, and to be honest, I haven’t wanted anyone else to see that.
For a while, I thought that Sassy and Delilah were going to be able to be around each other. We would let them out together for a little bit almost every day (always supervised), without incident. After a while though, Sassy started trying to attack Delilah. Unfortunately, Sassy is FIV+, so one serious bite from her could pass the virus on to Deli. Not worth the risk.
After almost 5 years of trying to get Sassy accustomed to being around our other cats, I recently gave up. This was a difficult and heartbreaking decision, but Bobby and I both just succumbed to the fact that Sassy is not ever going to be able to coexist with our other cats. She obviously has no interest making friends with them anyway, and I suppose that’s alright.
Then, just last week, Bobby had the brilliant idea of trying to take her out on adventures. We rescued Sassy as a stray several years back, so she is used to the outdoors. Theoretically, we wouldn’t have to worry about her being fearful. The hurdle would be getting a harness on her. She bites HARD when she’s mad, and I figured putting a harness on her would make her mad. I was right. I was able to get a harness on her after distracting her with a small pile of treats though.
After sneaking the harness on her, we ventured out onto our back deck and into the back yard. She wasn’t even remotely scared. She confidently strolled around, sniffing things and rolling around in the dirt. She even walked well on the leash, which is awesome considering that she had never been on a leash before. She has great recall skills though and always comes when her name is called, so that helps.
I think having this new, engaging activity to share with Sassy is going to greatly help alleviate my guilt and strengthen our bond. Even though I know she is loved and well-cared for, I have always felt that she is missing out on things by being separated. But having her join the KCC Adventure Team gives her something to be a part of and also gives her an outlet of freedom. I look forward to seeing where she goes on her adventure cat journey, and I hope you all will enjoy reading about it!
I think it is awesome you’ve found a new, fun activity for Sassy! And PLEASE don’t beat yourself up over not getting her to be more engaged with the rest of your feline family. Some cats just don’t like being around other cats. My human’s heart cat (who was semi-feral) was just like that, and my human is lucky she decided to co-exist (rather uneasily) with the cat she already had. But… when that cat (who was much older) died, you could tell that this kitty practically danced on his grave, she was so glad he was gone!
Um… now that I think of it, this cat may have been born before you! My human found her as a kitten in 1986. Harlot was a very unique personality, and pretty much the polar opposite of me. She would have been on Sassy’s side 100% – that’s the one thing we’d have had in common.
This is terrific. It will definitely give Sassy a fuller and more enjoyable life. I like the idea of distracting her with treats to get the harness on. Maybe this would work with Sawyer, our treat monster. He always has a lot of energy to burn. Love to all. Astrid sends Sampy bazillions of kisses and all her love. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
You have definitely not failed her. You do everything to make her comfortable and happy. Some cats just don’t want to be near other cats. I have a similar issue with KaTwo. I am glad she likes it outside, that will give her something to look forward to.
You go for it, Sassy! You are so brave!
How fun that Sassy enjoys being an adventure cat! Don’t feel bad about her living situation…we have the same issue with Zoey.
We don’t think you failed Sassy ; some kitties can’t stand other kitties, but you can’t know it before you see the cats together. You did the best to make her loved, comfortable, happy, and not lonely. It’s great she’s now joining the KCC Adventure Team for fun adventures ! Purrs
Sassy, we looked forward to reading more about your adventures OUTSIDE. How pawesome that you wore that beautiful butterfly harness (Mommy was drooling over the harness) and let your Mom take you outside. Sounds as if you have your life arranged just the way you want it, and enjoy having the man all to yourself in the office/music room.
Mommy’s first cat wouldn’t tolerate other cats in HER YARD or House. She happily co-existed with a bunny and a dog but wouldn’t allow other cats anywhere near Mommy. Mom says she was a bit unreasonable as she had no problem following Mom over to Miss Mary’s house and lolling around Fluffy and Sreaker’s deck and house, but they were not allowed to visit Snowball EVER. She would viciously attack them if they tried to cross the property line. And since Streaker was kind enough to share his human and his human’s warm bed in the winter (Grandma wouldn’t let cats sleep in the house) Mom thought this was most unfair. She also wondered how Snowball knew where the property line was, but that’s an whole different conversation.
So glad to know that Sassy will have her life enriched by being an adventure kitty! Pawsome!