Wednesday, July 31, 2019

The Other Litter



I was asked if I wanted to take these kittens. Initially, it was asked if I wanted the combined litter of the two and I offered to take Bridget's litter first simply to get them out of the shelter so they didn't need to take care of them there.

The names are subject to change since they aren't very good kitten names but right now I'm going to use these because I need them to discuss the litter.

When I first got them to the house, I pulled one out of the carrier to say hello and I was met with a "please no, don't, let me go, go away" response.  Hey, at least they said please.  (FYI, I know I have a mix of genders but I don't know who is male at the moment so they are all going to be "she" for lack of better info)

Because of this response, and because of Capa's eyes in the above photo (and to some extent Cape's eyes as well) I knew they were totally going to need some time to decompress.  Giving them a small area to get used to is for a multitude of reasons. the smaller the space the faster they get used to it and the faster they get over worrying about threats coming at them from their environment. It also helps me to put my hands on them so I can check them over to make sure they are okay, to get them socialized to me and to help them understand that humans are a good thing. So, I set them up in the bathroom. I didn't even take them out of the carrier, I simply removed the door to let them explore at their own pace.


I left them with food/water/litter/toys and left them for several hours. When I came back down to check on them, the above photos is what I saw. The food was gone, the water was gone, the litter box was used, but I am beyond wrong. I'm not just "not trustworthy" which is what Bridget and her sisters said.. these guys are right on the cusp of being feral and not being able to be brought back. It saddens me.. but I will do everything I can to try..

See.. they growl at me. That is an out and out challenge. What is even more worrisome is that Cabana has challenge in her eyes. After a day of decompressing and seeing me bring food and clean up the litter, she still has the same initial attitude. Her siblings are also growling and hissing at me, but when I reach out to touch them they shrink back and make themselves smaller. When they do this I don't worry about being bitten or scratched. I am able to pick them up and pat them and offer them food.. that is going well. Cabana, not so much. I finally pushed through her challenge and risked being bitten and picked her up and I knew she wanted to be on her own four feet so I put her on the toilet so I could restrain her but she would retain some feeling of being in control. She flipped out and nails went flailing and she was reaching around with her mouth in what I feared might be an attempt to bite me so I removed the restraint and let her leave.  That is the worst possible outcome because know she knows if she reacts I will back off. I will be giving it additional tries and if need be I'll be using protection (I prefer not to as it implies I don't trust them, which just escalates the situation)

So.. if you could think nice calming Cabana thoughts, that would be nice..


14 comments:

  1. Awwww much luck with the entire litter. Our youngest all the rescue knew was she was rescued off the streets. Her look and shrink back we nick named "dont touch me" and sometimes even if you just made eye contact with her she would dash away. She was 3 months and now 10. She still has some dont touch me moments but mostly us a snuggle bug! I won her heart by hand feeding her human food and treats lol

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  2. Oh, these babies sound really difficult, especially Cabana. I hope the rest don't decide she's the smart one.

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  3. Poor babies. Cape is so cute, I just want to pick her up and tell her it’s all going to be ok. I hope Cabana comes around.

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  4. ugh - good luck. these can be tough (says someone who has been there)

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  5. That's one of the most concise explanations of using a small space I've heard! May I quote you? So many of our foster homes STILL don't get it. No matter how many times we tell them and reassure them they think it's "mean".

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  6. If this litter can be turned around, they are in the right place! I have complete faith in you; you've got the touch, and it's always the most dire when the kittens are brand new to your place. Deep breaths...and small moves bring small wins.

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  7. Oh, poor things, they must have been through a lot in their short lives. If anyone can bring them around, it's you. Good luck!

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  8. guyz.....frum one feral ta four; it will bee oh kay....trust me... N trust mom purrson connie ...we got 984 pawz crossed everee one will lurnz: all iz well, all will bee good N connie iz ther ta help ya ♥♥♥

    mackerull boomer junior butterfeeld

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  9. Ohhh the sad eyes on Cape make me want to just hold her til she's all better. Heartbreaking that these tiny souls have been through so much. I have confidence in your cat whispering, they'll come around. Also... Three of four names are not really kitty-ish but Casey kind of looks like a Casey :)

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  10. We know you can win Cabana over. Sending lots of purrs.

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  11. These guys are in the right hands. If it can be done, you are the person to do it.

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  12. Cabana sounds like she is going be a lot work

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  13. We send calming purrs and hope it will help. If someone can help and tame those cute little ones, it's you. Purrs

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