Feel better?

Your friend,
Fisher

This week’s email had a few surprises. First came the fun video from my friends at The Outside Joke. Then, on a more serious side, came an amazing story of a group of men in New York out to make a difference!

You can visit The Outside Joke more of their fun stuff.

On a more serious side, check out Real Men Ink – Unleashed. Find out about their extraordinary efforts to help save helpless, abused and abandoned animals. They support rescue organizations and are committed to educating the public.

“If you don’t like us from the way we look, we can’t help that. But if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem, so stay out of the way.”
— Joe Panz, Leader, Rescue Ink

I'm innocent, I'm innocent!

Dear Fisher,

Help me, Fisher! My human brought a darn kitten home 4 months ago. Her name is Spice. Mom kept us separated and tried to introduce us slowly but I just don’t like her. She is pesky and always wants to play. She keeps jumping over me and playing with my tail. Last week she sat on my quilt! Can you believe it ? I thought she would mellow out but It has been 4 whole months. She usually plays on the patio so I can chill out in the house but it has been cold here in Florida so Mom has brought her indoors. When Spice is inside I like to go hide in the garage. I’m too short to reach the door knob so how do I get rid of her for good? Will she ever mellow out?

Sugar

Dear Sugar,

So the new upstart has gotten you frustrated. This is where the power of patience can play a major role in the quality of life for both you and your Mom. It is not uncommon for both humans and older cats to completely forget how annoying the escapades of little kittens can become. Of course they are adorable with their never ending antics, but does it have to be all the time?

It may help you to think about why you are in this predicament. Your loving human – the same loving human that invited you into the house – may well have wanted you to have a playmate and full time companion. Humans who are on-the-go these days feel bad when they have to leave their pets for lengthy periods of time. Or perhaps, she wanted a new kitten and was very sure you would be welcoming and happy about it. Or, it is possible that your human just thinks if one cat (you) is nice to have around, having 2 cats would be even better.

The thing I am trying to get across here is that inviting the darn kitten (Spice) to live with you is not meant as a punishment. Four months should be enough time for you to adjust, but since that has not happened, I would like to recommend an old and established procedure called “Go Back to Square One.”

• Re-establish separate space for you and Spice. Choose times during the day when one or the other is separated from the rest of the house.
• Toys, food and water bowls, and bedding should be separate. And, if you have undone it, re-do the separate litter box technique.
• Equal time and attention given to each by your human, preferably within view of each other should teach that you are both special.
• Whenever either one of you exhibits bad behavior toward the other, your human should gently place you in your space behind the closed door.
• Learn more about kitten wants and needs at West Hills Animal Hospital.

I have one last piece of advice for you, Sugar. If it looks like the Go Back to Square One option is chosen, start campaigning for the master bedroom. Good luck to you.

Your friend,
Fisher


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Dear Fisher,

I have had many wonderful times rummaging through wrapping paper, ribbons, and the Christmas tree in past years. I’m quite a mature cat, so my humans know I am not going to chew on things I shouldn’t and wouldn’t swallow things that could make me choke. This year I am a little worried because we are expecting a new kitten in our house on Christmas Eve and I am hearing rumblings about changes and new rules. I’m beginning to think my Christmas isn’t going to be very much fun. What do you think?

Izzy

Dear Izzy,

First of all I cannot think what could be more fun than a new kitten coming to live with you. You need to think this through. Just imagine how your maturity and the innocence of your new housemate can make you a star. You have years of stories to tell of how you frolicked through the gifts under the tree and the bauble rearranging you likely managed from atop the tree. You will be idolized. New Kitty will hang on your every meow and yearn for the day when the rules relax and he, too, can enjoy such merriment.

You have given me a very good insight into your humans, too. Think about your own young life back in the day. I am sure you can remember your people taking precautions to keep you out of harms way. Cat plus curiosity plus Christmas tree can turn disastrous if a few rules are not put into place. They placed a great deal of trust in you, and I must add here that not all “mature cats” would be worthy. A Christmas tree without tinsel is still a Christmas tree. Decorations should be kept at a minimum. It is best not to have a lot of dangling ornaments to entice the new little kitten. Of course, the most cat-proof thing to do is set the tree up in the yard, keeping it there for the duration of the holiday. While that would be a nice way to share your holiday spirit with the neighbor people, it might not be very safe for the neighbor cats.

Several ideas your humans can use to dissuade improper behavior are:

• Secure the tree with a strong stable base, or attach clear fishing line to the top of the tree and then to a ceiling hook. No need to re-invent the theory of what goes up must come down.
• Most cats do not like the smell of citrus, so place lemon or orange rinds around the bottom of the tree to stop the climbing urge. For best results, replace the rinds often.
• Sprays, such as Bitter Yuck, can keep critters from chewing on the branches. Humans will know immediately what little kitty was up to when they hear the exclamations, “bitter!” and “yuck!”
• Choose ornaments that are not easily confused with kitty toys. Kittens are not likely to bite into a china candy cane. Or, you might find out that new little kitty is not the brightest bulb on the tree and re-think keeping the tree in the yard.

Visit Cat Lovers Only for more information. Most safety rules apply the the Dog as well – just do not tell the dog you found the information on a cat site.

Be safe, be good, and have a happy holiday.

Your friend,

Fisher

published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition

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