Adoption Tails: Calvin, Viv and Cornelia, Clementine, Alfredo

 Calvin, Vivienne and Cornelia

 1 day: The owner adopted Cornelia and their fiancé adopted Vivienne and Calvin. 

“I LOVE the three of them! They were super explorative last night and Cornelia came and dug under the blankets last night to sleep with us. Calvin likes sleeping under the XBox since it’s warm and he’s sleepy or on the couch next to us and Viv has been running (and I mean running) between her and I to headbutt us and kiss us for pets. They are perfect fits! We had them in their separate rooms and Viv and Cornelia were playing with each other’s paws and purring under the doors so we carefully introduced them and they get along swimmingly. We want to rename all three, but we haven’t settled on any names yet. They’ve been eating and drinking just fine, though Calvin is a little shy at the moment so when he comes to use the litter or eat we all hold completely still so as not to spook him.”
They all had crazy energy tonight. When it was dark outside, Vivienne saw her reflection in the window because the blinds were up. She got all poofed up and their owners said it was hilarious. They have all been so snuggly, loving and energetic. “I can tell these three are the perfect fit for us!”

2 days: When they wake up in the morning, Cornelia has been right there to greet them.

5 days: “We are in LOVE with each of these cats, but we’ve run into a bit of a problem. We’ve discovered that both the owner’s fiancé and their roommate are terribly allergic to cats”. They’ve both had a cat at some point and allergies were tolerable with one. They really wanted to keep them and they’ve tried toughing it out but it’s getting worse and worse for both of them. “We can definitely make it work temporarily, we love these kitties very much!” They’re cleaning like crazy to help with the allergens, and they’ve restricted the kittens to outside of the bedrooms. They’re still eating SAFE’s allergen-reducing food and they seem to love it which makes their owners happy.

8 days: It seems like their roommate in particular is getting worse. They’re having a really hard time breathing and can’t sleep because of it. They’ve been brushing them, using the allergen-reducing food, and are still restricting them to outside of the bedrooms. They have them baths with kitty anti-allergen shampoo. Cornelia has been renamed Xena and she thoroughly enjoyed the bath. The kittens are booked in for boarding so they can deep-clean and see if it helps with the allergies. “They’re very well loved, we just don’t see it getting much better unfortunately. I think adjusting to one cat over time will be much easier than three at the moment”

9 days: “Calvin and Vivvi are literally so perfect, they’re such sweet, snuggly kitties”. Xena started purring when they were trying to dry her. She especially enjoyed being wrapped up in a towel and being held while she dried. “They’re so incredible! Calvin just needs a little time to warm up, and then he’s silly and extra cuddly”.

Vivienne and Calvin, 9 days

 10 days: Their allergies are unfortunately getting worse by the day.

1 month: “She is absolutely perfect! Allergies are much better, and she’s such a joy! Every day when I come home from work she squeaks and bolts over to me, purring and rubbing on my legs for attention. She purrs all the time, especially when [they] wake up first thing in the morning or come home. She loves to watch TV (she sits on our laps and stares at the screen, especially for big action things like Star Wars, it’s so funny) and she’s so sweet”

Cornelia aka Zenia, 1 month

[They eventually surrendered Calvin and Vivienne back to us. We held on to them for 3 weeks because Zenia had a spot on her face that might have been ringworm. It wasn't so C & V were available to be adopted, again. And were, swiftly.]

Clementine aka Dolly

 

Dolly before adoption

1 day: She has been renamed Dolly. She is doing really good. She has been using her litter tray, eating and drinking.

1 week: “Dolly is a very happy kitten. The children love her and she just loves hanging out with them”

1 month: “Dolly is really good. She is so playful and happy. Still just loves the children. She is such a delight to have running around the house.”

Alfredo

1 day: They think he is a bit stressed with the move. He has not used the litter tray or eaten. He has been hidden in a box in his room. They’re unsure whether they’ll rename him.

4 days: They’re not 100% sure if Alfredo has toileted yet, but he’s been cleaning out his bowls so they’re happy with his progress.

9 days: Alfredo is definitely toileting a lot now and in the litter box. He is still quite shy and is keeping to his cardboard boxes. They have put more in to give him more play surfaces. They are hearing lots of movement late at night and early in the morning.

Around 3.5 weeks: Alfredo has gone missing. They have been leaving extra food around the house and have tried to see if the neighbours have seen anything. He’s been gone slightly over a week because they had an emergency overseas trip for a week. There was a window open about an inch to air out the litter smell but it was a very heavy window which was behind a closed wooden shutter. The doors are generally closed but there is a dog flap from the previous owner. They have closed the windows and blocked off the dog flap. They have been smelling cat scents (not a strong poo or pee smell) elsewhere in the house so they’re hoping he’s hiding inside. They’ve checked cupboards, under sinks, under the flush lid of toilets, but haven’t found him. They have 3-4 other cats on the street and quite a few dogs. 

 

Bond 

Bond adopted

3 days: Bond had a very unsettled first 24 hours. He had diarrhoea on the bed in his safe room and stepped in it so they took him into another room to bathe him. They set him up in the laundry room.

2.5 weeks: Bond is going excellent. He put the owner in the hospital for 2 days and 2 weeks off work. He is moving in leaps and bounds. He’s had full range of the house since Friday and has well and truly adjusted to them. He’s eating and using the litter tray with no problems at all. Bond is friendly to them all now. He laid on his owner most of the day watching TV. He also helps them do the dishes and the cooking. “Bond is going really well now and we love him a lot now.”

1 month and 1 week: Bond is going really well now and is in leaps and bounds. He’s come a long way in such a short time. “We are so pleased to have Bond in our lives”. They believe he is getting bigger now too.  

New bins

 Tim has organised a new rubbish collection for a twice weekly pick up of the garbage: 2 bins for this. And one bin for cardboard waste. Hurrah. Except that the bins didn't arrive as promised yesterday, or today. Perhaps tomorrow!

We comforted ourselves by adopting cats.

A couple arrived at 5 to 11 to adopt Delilah who was in a foster home in Hornsby. She arrived at 5 past 11. 

Then a lady arrived to look for a cat to replace her older cat who recently died. She had picked out Libby, Ginger George and Max from the web page. She met them all but didn't click until she met Maeve who was delighted to meet somebody who was prepared to give her all the attention that she wants.

At that stage another couple (mother and daughter) arrived looking for a pair of cats. I showed them the usual suspects and they fell under the spell of Tibby and Tabby. The mum said that her daughter really needed somebody to love. Perfect! And the mum is a doctor. Perfecter! And they live in a small apartment with no stairs. Perfectest! Done deal.

Then my friend Liz arrived to get a pair of cats. She wanted somebody that she could pick up.

Ginger George likes to be picked up

But who to pair him with? After introducing her to Vivienne and Calvin, the job was done. Her grandson will be delighted. As will her husband. (Thanks for the photos Robyn).

Calvin and Vivienne

Calvin and Vivienne's stand alone was cleaned for Hank and Princess. The sign says that you can get to the litter tray through the door on the side of the stand alone. Princess just came back from the vet.

 And Chia and kittens moved into Tibby and Tabby's condo.

Meanwhile the lady who loved Maeve, moved on to Maisy and fell deeper in love with her. She will be back on Saturday to adopt her. So much for wanting an older cat! It was mutual and irresistible.

Maisy

Meanwhile, in Incoming, I asked if the stand alone by the door had been cleaned this morning. Katie and Tim assured me that it was and that one of the torties there loves to play with water and flip the wet litter all over the place. What a grub. Her sisters are not impressed.

It was you

My finger looks like chicken

 I was late getting around to handing out the chicken this afternoon. We had a delivery of litter after we had used up the very last bag. (Thank you M). 

Just because there is a big pile, please don't use more than you absolutely have to.

Madeline was picked up. Katie always worries that Madeline will die when she is boarding with us because she is over 19 years old. And the C-kitten with possible ringworm went home as well. There is a sign on her condo that it be cleaned with bleach. Tim couldn't see any fluorescence when he shined the Wood's lamp on her lesion. But that only works 50% of the time. They should take her to the vet to have a skin scraping taken. The results won't come back for 3 weeks. In the meantime, Vivienne and Calvin are "no touch" cats.

Milo is still with us. His new person (one of our vollies) is moving house. We must warn her that he will find somewhere high to hide. I had him out for a short while this afternoon and he immediately went to the top of the condos to find a carrier to hide in.

Milo at ground level

We tried the Top Cat on Biscuit and then on Bella. Neither ventured out even when temped with treats.

Bella

But I had a first sighting of Charlie. He came out of the carry case that has been his home for the past month, at least A friend wants a pair of cats. . . . .

Charlie and Champ

The other Charlie in Incoming was at the vet this afternoon having an operation. He survived that but didn't recover from the anesthetic. 

Chicken was late with all this. One of the black Rolling Stones, who are getting much bolder, mistook my finger for chicken while I was pushing pieces through the play place mesh. Chomp. . . drip, drip, drip.

Calvin and Vivienne are back

 The vollies will be pleased that their favourite cuddle kittens are back. But, they were adopted with Cordelia (the last C kitten) who is in boarding for a few days. And Cordelia has a round, bare spot on her left temple. Tim will apply the blue light this evening to see if it is ringworm. If it is, as Cordelia, Calvin and Vivienne were all playmates at home, it will put C & V out of bounds until they get the all ringworm clear.

Calvin and Vivienne

The folk who adopted C & V just found 3 kittens in the house too much. And the landlord wasn't that thrilled. 

Another C cat (? Chad) stayed overnight. His owner somehow told us that he was up a tree in Lindfield and had been there for a week. We called Geoff who decided that he couldn't climb the tree to get the cat so called in his Fire Rescue mates for help. They got the cat and he was delivered to Safe. He was desperate to get out of his condo this morning and was madly friendly. Mid morning, his owner arrived and was thrilled to see him. The cat was pretty pleased as well. But, I am sure he complained that he hadn't had enough food all the way home.

The grey kittens from Reception (aka junk room) have moved to the Palace. One was very interested to watch what I was doing. They are Raya, Raven and Rocky.

R kitten

R kitten

Or perhaps they were interested in what the Stones kittens were doing in the Play Place:

Mick or Ronnie

I finally got around to installing a hammock in Rajah and Genie's stand alone in Incoming. They were delighted but didn't recognise it as something relaxing. Maybe it was the elastic ties, or the shiny metal connectors. Or perhaps it was just SOMETHING NEW!

Rajah and Genie

Tummy Time

Calvin likes a hammock all to himself.

Vivienne does too

But their next door neighbours like to cuddle three at a time in a hammock. I can't tell if the same one gets left out each time. They all look like tortie tabbies to me even though their names are Clementine, Cornelius, Claudius and Cordelia.

3 C's in a hammock plus 1

Joni's kitten Taylor got adopted. I don't think she is too sad about that. She sits at the front of the condo now and doesn't hiss.

Joni

 And Thelma and Louise are out of hiding.

Thelma/Louise

There is a new Billy where Chi Chi was. That lady did come from the Blue Mountains to collect her.

Billy

Ruby and her kittens are still in the play place. They make a mad dash for the door any time you open it. So I stuck a ball on a rotating toy whose feather has been chewed off and they were distracted long enough for me to collect all those dishes.

News of Rebel in foster with Mariko. They are doing well. He is just a tad spoiled.

Rebel in his delux teepee

We continue to be in parvo-ville. Restrictions will continue for another week.

Good News

 The good news is that somebody rang from the Blue Mountains to ask for Chichi. They had taken one cat from the home of several (?5) cats that she came from but couldn't take more at that time. Now they can take another. They promised to come tomorrow. So this is the happy photo:

Chichi not excited yet

The bad news is that two of Roxy's kittens succumbed to parvo overnight. We have lost 7 kittens so far. But we have RAT-like tests and various cats have been moved out of Isolation. (Luckily, for the testers, the test sample is poo rather than a throat swab. Imagine trying to get a nasal swab from any sized cat!) 

The lucky negative cats are:

Donatella and McQueen who are in the 3 wheeled stand alone just inside the door: Later in the afternoon they were having a wonderful game of "king of the castle" but. . .  by the time I figured out how to video them on the Safe mobile phone, they had stopped playing.

The small stand alone is reserved for the C kittens, whoever they are. Their neighbours are  Calvin and Vivienne.

Calvin

Vivienne and Lola: not on the best of terms

Milo was delivered on Thursday. He was the second cat that Safe rehomed. That was before we had our current premises. So he is thoroughly discombobulated at being put into a stand alone (which used to be Winnie and Demi's). If he wasn't such a mature cat, I would say that he is sulking.

Milo

Biscuit tested negative and moved out of Incoming into the Better Row. (Don't take the stuck-out tongue as a comment on Better Row. That is just the way his tongue lies.)

Biscuit

And Alfredo tested negative so has been moved to the Boarding row on the highest condo. He is a chatty cat. When found he had a flap of flesh hanging from his neck. A good Samaritan found him, took him to a vet who stitched him up. He still has shaven bits and lengths of thread hanging from his neck but he is very chatty and REALLY wants to make friends.

Alfredo on high