HOWEDY Elizabeth,
> Harriet is a bookstore cat who spent time in the
> hospital twice in August, for constipation. She's
> currently eating only canned Eukanuba low residue
> food, and gets 1ml of Lactulose daily. Since Hariet
> is one of two cats in the store, I still don't know
> how much she's going to the bathroom.
I had recommended you give her some regular exercise
even if it's only to make her walk around the shop
several times to get her system functioning.
> I have been going to work 6-7 days a week for the past
> 6 weeks and would like a break for the long holiday weekend.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> So, I was thinking of taking Harriet home with me this weekend.
Good idea.
> I have two cats at home,
No problem. If you handle them pupperly they'll
get along just fine.
> and she doesn't like other cats (not even Stinky, her storemate)
No, she's AFRAID of him.
> so Harriet would be kept in my bedroom with a
> litter pan, her food & water.
That'll reinforce her fears.
> I KNOW this will stress her out
Just bringing her out of the store will stress
her but that's not the problem for introducing
her to your kats and them makin pals. IN FACT,
coming out of her safety zone will FACILLITATE
her making pals with your kats IF you handle
them pupprely and make everyWON feel SAFE and
PROTECTED by your demonstrated self discipline
and constant intermittent non physical praise
and apupriate use of non physical distraction
and praise techniques should they show any signs
of fear aggression.
> and it's probably not the best way to find out
> if she's pooping okay, but I don't know what
> else to do.
If you bring her litterbox from the store she'll
probably use it rather than the other kat's boxes
and you can train your kats not to use hers.
> If she didn't need medication, I'd just bring Stinky
> home and leave Harriet at work. I think I might do
> that next week -exchange the two cats.
It's Harriet who NEEDS the attention and exercise.
> That way Harriet will be the only cat at work
> and I'll be able to see her litterbox contributions.
You'll be able to obviate that nonesense if you
get her feeling really really happy.
> Does this sound like a good idea?
You're on the right track.
> And no, there is nobody else willing to go to work
> over the weekend to medicate Harriet. Half of the
> staff is terrified of her.
Yeah, that's part of her constipation.
> There is one person who works on Sundays who has
> been giving her the Lactulose, but the store won't
> be open then anyway.
She'll enjoy coming to your house occasionally
and that'll brighten her up a bit. Teach her to
walk on a harness and get her outside for a walk
every day when you can.
<{#}: ~ } > < { ~ :{@}>
<{#}: ~ } > < { ~ :{@}>
<{#}: ~ } > Here's HOWE: < { ~ :{@}>
<{#}: ~ } > < { ~ :{@}>
<{#}: ~ } > http://www.tinyurl.com/7bl5u < { ~ :{@}>
<{#}: ~ } > < { ~ :{@}>
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> --
> Liz
Just substitute the words dog or puppy with kat or kitten
and EXXXTRAPOLATE on the EXXXORCISES to suit the species.
The Amazing Pussy Wizard <(@}; ~ ) >
> Harriet is a bookstore cat who spent time in the hospital twice in
> August, for constipation. She's currently eating only canned Eukanuba
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> --
> Liz
I'd take them both home over the weekend myself.
Elizabeth Blake - 03 Sep 2005 02:52 GMT
> I'd take them both home over the weekend myself.
I couldn't take them both home, and there's no reason to. I did decide to
bring Harriet home with me tonight. I had brought in my Sherpa bag, since
that's the easiest to carry. She didn't meow at all the whole time. While
we were waiting at the bus stop she seemed very interested in what was going
on outside. She was great on the bus (an hour ride) and I had the Sherpa
bag on my lap, and she was able to look out the window.
When I got into my apartment, Tiger came right to the door to greet me as
usual. She didn't realize what I had with me. I took Harriet right into my
bedroom and had to push Tiger out with my foot, since she was following me
in. I put the bag on the bed and let Harriet out and she began exploring.
I left here there so I could feed Tiger & Otto, who still had no idea that a
visitor had been brought in. Harriet didn't know that there were other cats
around either. Tiger & Otto gobbled their dinner and every time I went back
to the bedroom they tried to get in. I gave Tiger & Otto some treats in the
kitchen and went to bring a litter box into the bedroom. Harriet was right
at the door and got out. She went into the bathroom, which is right next to
the bedroom and checked out the covered litter box. Meanwhile, Tiger saw
the open bedroom door and went in. She never noticed Harriet and Harriet
never saw her. Otto came out of the kitchen and stood looking toward the
bathroom in horror. Harriet finally noticed him and wasn't happy. Otto
approached the bathroom slowly, but he was puffy & growling. Harriet
decided to hiss at him and stand her ground. Tiger came out of the bedroom
to see what was going on, and she started to hiss & growl. I scooped
Harriet up and put her back in the bedroom. Otto was upset with Tiger for
several minutes after that, but then they both calmed down and seemed to
forget about Harriet. I'm at the computer and both of them are in their
usual spots - Tiger under an end table a couple of feet away, and Otto in
the little hallway across from the bedroom door. He's literall two feet
from the door but doesn't seem to know that Harriet is in there.
When I've gone in to see Harriet, she was on my bed and seemed content, but
once I shut the door behind me she would do a little hissing & growling. I
went in again just a few minutes ago and lay on the bed for a bit. She came
up to me and sniffed my lips (she seems to like the fruity Blistex I put on)
and then settled herself near me, but not touching me. She let me pet her
without any complaints.
So, she's got a litter box and a water bowl in my bedroom. She ate dinner
before we left work so I won't give her any food until morning.
Tiger & Otto are acting completely normal. Otto was just chasing the laser
pointer dot, and when Tiger heard me talking to him she ran over to get her
share of attention.Now they're sleeping in their usual places.
I saw indentations in the litterbox when I checked on Harriet but I think
she was just checking it out. I hope she uses it - I only have WBCL at home
and she's never tried it before.
--
Liz
Candace - 03 Sep 2005 03:31 GMT
> I couldn't take them both home, and there's no reason to. I did decide to
> bring Harriet home with me tonight. I had brought in my Sherpa bag, since
> that's the easiest to carry. She didn't meow at all the whole time. While
> we were waiting at the bus stop she seemed very interested in what was going
> on outside. She was great on the bus (an hour ride) and I had the Sherpa
> bag on my lap, and she was able to look out the window.
I hope Harriet has a nice 3 day weekend, relaxing, as well as you. she
sounds like a good girl. Has she been to your place before?
Candace
Candace - 03 Sep 2005 03:32 GMT
> I couldn't take them both home, and there's no reason to. I did decide to
> bring Harriet home with me tonight. I had brought in my Sherpa bag, since
> that's the easiest to carry. She didn't meow at all the whole time. While
> we were waiting at the bus stop she seemed very interested in what was going
> on outside. She was great on the bus (an hour ride) and I had the Sherpa
> bag on my lap, and she was able to look out the window.
I hope Harriet has a nice 3 day weekend, relaxing, as well as you. she
sounds like a good girl. Has she been to your place before?
Candace
Elizabeth Blake - 03 Sep 2005 04:29 GMT
> I hope Harriet has a nice 3 day weekend, relaxing, as well as you. she
> sounds like a good girl. Has she been to your place before?
>
> Candace
Harriet has only been to the vet (several overnight stays). She's probably
not happy about being locked in my room but she hasn't complained yet.
Tomorrow I might lock Tiger & Otto in the room and let Harriet roam around.
I'm amazed that Tiger & Otto aren't freaked out knowing she's in there.
When I first found Otto, he was around 6 months old and Tiger was 10 years
old. She didn't move from the same spot in the living room for a week. She
knew he was in there and she was terrified. I had to bring her into the
bathroom to use the box and bring her into the kitchen to eat/drink, then
she'd go right back to her spot.
--
Liz