Cat Four Progress Report 2

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Charleen Welton - 13 Dec 2007 00:19 GMT

There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or tonight. It is
now 7:15pm. I will lock Victor Velcro in and leave the porch open so that
Four can return and prehaps feel comfortable there for a while. I'm sad
about this.

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Charleen
Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro
The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
St. Cloud, Florida USA

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Stormmee - 13 Dec 2007 00:40 GMT

I am sorry, Lee

> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or tonight. It is
> now 7:15pm. I will lock Victor Velcro in and leave the porch open so that
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
> St. Cloud, Florida USA

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Charleen Welton - 13 Dec 2007 14:48 GMT

Thank you Lee. He'll be back for sure, I'm sure. Just have to wait until
he is ready. I met with the vet the other day. He is sooooo good. Dr.
Mulero told me not to bother with an appointment, when I have Four just come
in. He studied the picture and is ready involved in caring for Four. Such a
good man.

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Charleen
Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro
The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
St. Cloud, Florida USA

>I am sorry, Lee
>> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or tonight. It
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>> The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
>> St. Cloud, Florida USA

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Stormmee - 13 Dec 2007 15:16 GMT

I was thinking about the trust issues, and wondered about someone beside you
or someone in your household taking him to the vet then one of you picking
him up for freedom, I was wondering what you and the group thought of this,
and if you not taking him would increase his sense of abandonment or
increase his trust when you rescued him from the vet? Lee just thinking

> Thank you Lee. He'll be back for sure, I'm sure. Just have to wait until
> he is ready. I met with the vet the other day. He is sooooo good. Dr.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> >> The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
> >> St. Cloud, Florida USA

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Charleen Welton - 13 Dec 2007 18:26 GMT

Great thought Lee. I just quickly checked the two books on cat behavior
that Helen sent to me. One of them address fear and anxiety in kittens not
adult cats. I volunteer at our local public library and today is my day and
I could researh this subject, BUT, I'm not going in today as my In-Laws are
picking me up so that we can go Christmas shopping. I will go over Helen's
books again and get to the library tomorrow.

This is a very fair question to pose given the situation. I am also
interested in what the others think of it.

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Charleen
Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro
The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
St. Cloud, Florida USA

>I was thinking about the trust issues, and wondered about someone beside
>you
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>> >> The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
>> >> St. Cloud, Florida USA

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Christina Websell - 14 Dec 2007 17:52 GMT

I think it's an excellent idea from Lee. When Four is trapped (and you will
surely get him eventually) if you can keep away from the trap yourself and
get someone else to pick it up and take him to the vet it would prevent him
associating you with the fear he will inevitably feel. I would also get
someone else to collect him from the vet too so he does not get the idea in
his mind that you are in any way connected with this experience, although
this is only applicable if you will be looking after him afterwards or plan
to keep him.
If I had had anyone else to take Boyfriend for his snip I would have done.
It certainly knocked his trust in me for a while, and I know Adrian has
found this with Shadow, too. It's no good knowing "it's for your own good"
because these cats just don't. So we build up a relationship with them over
a period of time so we can catch them and do what's necessary and needed.
Then we sort of violate their trust for the very best reasons. I would
always do it, but find it quite difficult ethically.
I took a long while to say: Get someone else to do the bad things to him if
you can and let yourself be the one that does the good things.

Tweed

> Great thought Lee. I just quickly checked the two books on cat behavior
> that Helen sent to me. One of them address fear and anxiety in kittens not
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>>> >> The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
>>> >> St. Cloud, Florida USA

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Adrian A - 13 Dec 2007 09:58 GMT

> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or
> tonight. It is now 7:15pm. I will lock Victor Velcro in and leave
> the porch open so that Four can return and prehaps feel comfortable
> there for a while. I'm sad about this.

{{{{{{ Charleen }}}}}}

Don't give up hope, it has only been a day.

Signature

Adrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera)
Cats leave pawprints on your heart
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk

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Charleen Welton - 13 Dec 2007 14:54 GMT

Hanging in there, Adrian. I so very, very much appreciate the support of
everyone in the group. I lead a strange life in that I live with two other
people yet I live alone. My husband is a truck drive who goes out on Monday
morning and returns on Friday night or Saturday (we have marriage by phone)
and a roommate, Larry, who is a computer tech. He has run of the house but
buys his own meals and stays in his own room most of the time. He is a help
when I need him. He put the 2x4's across the window flap so Four can't get
out that way again. Anyway, the support of the group and all the advice is
so important, I'm thankful and grateful. Hope to have good news soon.

Signature

Charleen
Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro
The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
St. Cloud, Florida USA

>> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or
>> tonight. It is now 7:15pm. I will lock Victor Velcro in and leave
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Don't give up hope, it has only been a day.

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Daniel Mahoney - 13 Dec 2007 13:37 GMT

> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or tonight. It is
> now 7:15pm. I will lock Victor Velcro in and leave the porch open so that
> Four can return and prehaps feel comfortable there for a while. I'm sad
> about this.

Don't be too upset about it - it's only been a day. I suspect that Cat 4
knows where he's got a good thing and will be back. It just might take him
a couple days.

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Charleen Welton - 13 Dec 2007 15:04 GMT

I've calmed down, Dan. Am concentrating on the positive aspects of this
situation. I believe he will come back. I feel so bad about violating his
trust, but, it has to be done to make him better, that is a positive and
healthy fact. I'll be glad when this is over though!!

Signature

Charleen
Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro
The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
St. Cloud, Florida USA

>> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or tonight. It
>> is
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> knows where he's got a good thing and will be back. It just might take him
> a couple days.

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Daniel Mahoney - 13 Dec 2007 15:32 GMT

> I've calmed down, Dan. Am concentrating on the positive aspects of this
> situation. I believe he will come back. I feel so bad about violating his
> trust, but, it has to be done to make him better, that is a positive and
> healthy fact. I'll be glad when this is over though!!

I do understand! Years ago when I had to trap tiny Samuel Redcat I felt
awful about it, especially when he started crying in the trap. But when I
was able to bring him home from the vet and opened the carrier, the first
thing he did was climb in my lap and purr. I still have a very special
relationship with the dude. Purrs that you'll have the same with Cat Four.

Dan

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Charleen Welton - 13 Dec 2007 18:16 GMT

Ahhh, that sounds so sweet. I know he likes me and did trust me. Perhaps
that will come back to him and he may some day curl up in my lap. You'll be
the first to know Dan!

Signature

Charleen
Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro
The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
St. Cloud, Florida USA

>> I've calmed down, Dan. Am concentrating on the positive aspects of this
>> situation. I believe he will come back. I feel so bad about violating his
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Dan

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Christina Websell - 13 Dec 2007 20:44 GMT

> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or tonight. It
> is now 7:15pm. I will lock Victor Velcro in and leave the porch open so
> that Four can return and prehaps feel comfortable there for a while. I'm
> sad about this.

He probably got scared by his close encounter and has decided that
discretion is the better part of valour for a day or two. It is always one
step forward, two steps back with these shy ones if you miss first time.
I think he will return but within his own comfort-zone time-scale (if you
see what I mean.)
It is very frustrating when you have his best interests at heart and he
disappears, but he doesn't know that. I am praying that the Mothership will
burn into his brain the message "get back there and you will be healed."

I had to do the softly, softly, catchee monkey stuff for a while to get
Boyfriend, who seemed terrified of human contact, but hey, look at him now 4
years down the line. He lives the life of Riley. He spends quite a lot of
time snoozing on top of the duvet on the spare bed during the day. When he
wishes to go out on rat patrol during the evening he insists that meowmie
lets him out instantly. 20 minutes later he is back to check if his food
bowl has miraculously refilled in his absence so I have to let him in again.
When it is still empty (since he ate the contents an hour or two ago) he
then insists that meowmie gets up from where she has just sat down to let
him out again and the whole cycle is repeated almost hourly.
Although it can be irritating, "just let me sit down a bit, won't you?" I am
happy that he is now so comfortable with me that he feels free to ask. Not
only to ask, but if I take more than a few minutes to respond he has
discovered that if he starts to claw my kitchen rug I jump up immediately!

It will take time to get Four, I am sure. I hope you catch him soon to get
him the vet treatment he needs and deserves.
Lots of luck with him, Charleen

Tweed
(Boyfie is sending his advice to Four: just give up and get the good
life..)

Lots of luck with him, Charleen

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Charleen Welton - 13 Dec 2007 22:44 GMT

What a delightful story Tweed, one that gives me much hope. Helen told me
that cats have a short memory. I can only hope that after he is caught,
fixed up and loved for a while the last three years will fade from his
memory. It sounds as though Boyfriend had a lot to forget too, and as you
say, look at him now. I'll give him Boyfriend's message when I next see
him!!

Signature

Charleen
Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro
The Spirit of Mr. Pumpkin
St. Cloud, Florida USA

>> There is no progress to report. Four didn't show up today or tonight. It
>> is now 7:15pm. I will lock Victor Velcro in and leave the porch open so
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
> Lots of luck with him, Charleen

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