How many Mudcats have cats!?

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Charmion
Date: 31 Jul 18 - 10:44 AM

Pip may need to keep the bedroom door shut for a while.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 31 Jul 18 - 07:08 AM

Furball is in the bad books today.

He started off being praised for being a good cat. I couldn’t work out why he was so agitated this morning. He wouldn’t go out in the rain (yes, he’s gone soft already) but kept going to the back door and wouldn’t take any food. Pip made a comment about the litter tray and, sure enough, I put that out and filled with litter and he went about his business was happy.

So were we until we discovered that when he’d gone through to say hello to my parents this morning, he’d used Pip’s bed for the peeing side of the business!

Quite why Pip had decided to empty and just pack away the litter tray yesterday is a bit of a mystery but it’s possible she got distracted over the chap who was coming to replace the bath lift. Whatever, to use that trite expression, “lessons will be learned”… Only thing is that, in my experience, once a (perhaps usually clean but got trapped) has used a spot once, it can be quite difficult to persuade them it’s not an acceptable place.

Apart from that, he seems to be showing more of his young kittenish side now – which reminds me I must order another laser pointer – I lost the last one.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 09:23 AM

Our old Bill liked the mandolin so much that he would jump into my lap while I was practising and shove his hind end under the treble side of the instrument. Well, maybe he was less fond of the mandolin than he was satisfied that I was sitting down and likely to stay that way for a while.

Furball looks great, Jon. I notice that he lolls on the breadboard rather than the counter surface; I guess he has reviewed the House Cat's Manual and taken note of his obligations.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 09:09 PM

A most appealing face on that Furball.
I recall the time a lady referred to her pet cat, in public,
as an "ex-Tom" and the nearest adult male blurted out,
"That's politically incorrect."

Hilarious about Furball's response
to Bonaparte's Retreat!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 12:22 PM

Wow! What a transformation Jon! He looks absolutely great.
Well done!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 12:10 PM

Thanks Raggy. Much of course wasn't really in our control but we are delighted with the way things have gone.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Raggytash
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 11:38 AM

That is one bonny cat John, obviously your care, love and attention is paying dividends. I hope you have many, many years with him!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 09:46 AM

Oh and I took this picture the other day. He is banned from the kitchen worktops but he’d been scared by the racket of combine harvesters and had decided this was the safest place so I let him be for a while. The cat in that picture seems quite a contrast to this one

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 04:25 AM

Oh Jon, that poor PussPuss! There's not a lot you can do, as you say, except feeding and giving him water (Isn't this drought appalling?)
The bloating could be an enlarged liver, it's what our stray 'Solo' had. So kind of you to keep an eye on him.

I had to laugh about Furball's reaction to your playing.
I often play songs on Youtube on my laptop, and sing along. It really puzzles out two, and they stare right into my eyes as if to say, "What's the matter? Why are you howling like that? Shut up will you!"

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 02:12 AM

I went down the garden at 6am (couldn’t sleep) to collect something I left in a shed last evening. Coming back to the house, I saw a cat. At first I thought “not that next door creature...” then I realised it was a tabby and wondered how Furball had got out, and then another look at the creature partly hidden in the bushes and I realised it was PussPuss who we haven’t seen since the cold spell.

I didn’t think he looked that well, a bit sort of bloated looking and his left eye looked a little odd but I doubt there would be much I could do to help. At his most trusting, he will stand his ground (with hisses) as I put a dish down but after a long break, it would probably be a while before I can get within a few yards.

Anyway, he took 3 pouches (he’ll stand forward of the dish and make himself visible if he wants another) before wandering off. I’ll have to see if he comes back and wonder how things will work out with Furball as a resident now if he does…

As for Furball. He’ll try it on but he seems to mostly have accepted the idea that he’s kept in for the night. He’s explored every room now and, for the time being, has chosen his chair (although he still spend a lot of time on the floor) and is slowly but surely taking control of the house.

He was a bit put out by my attempts at guitar playing (probably the first time I’d picked up an instrument in the same room as me) last night. He didn’t bother too much while I was stumming a few chords but got quite excited when I picked the melody for Madame Bonaparte. He approached me meowing. It was quite funny really and I’ve noticed similar with other cats and a laser pointer. Furball seemed to know the noises were something to do with me but he couldn’t quite work it out. He had a long look (and sniff) at the guitar as if the instrument was to blame.

As for the seeing him in the kitchen/corridor at night. I’ve changed the program for the corridor light at night (actually when it is dark outside). Instead of switching on/off, it now switches on/dim for this period. Everyone seems happy with this arrangement.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 09:36 AM

You husband is bad, Sen ;-)

I don’t remember if we ever did this but I think older UK ways would often have put the cat out for the night but I think that largely fell out of favour. Feelings on indoor/outdoor vs indoor can seem to follow a UK/North American divide although perhaps more over here keep their cats in all the time now?

Probably my biggest feeling on this concerns animals that have had the taste for the outdoor life. This could be one like Mewan who found us while still a kitten but had lived all her first part outside and more so with one like Furball who’s known that life as an adult.

Perhaps I’d feel more inclined to try indoor only with one that’s never known that. I don’t know there but, while we are going for in at nightime, with Furball, I’d likely always finish up with the feeling at some point of depriving our type of cats of something important to them if they were denied the chance to do their own thing outside at other times.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 07:55 AM

As it's 500, I thought I'd add, the holiday barn was in Bale!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 07:53 AM

Ah Jon, when we cleaned that holiday barn near the Snorings, there were hares all over the place! It was part of an arable farm and the things would jump out along the path and run in zig-zags in front of us. Lovely to see, with their long black-tipped ears. I reckon North Norfolk is a good place to see hares.

I'm so glad you've adopted the policy of letting Furball out during the day, and keeping him in at night if possible. That's what we've always done with ours, (except nowadays they don't go out much, even during the day, being elderly)

I've never been in favour of having 'indoor cats'. I know some people do this, but cats do like to wander and sniff, and sit in the sun etc.

My husband is about to leave for his work, and I told him about your Furball. His comment was, "He's out there looking for his lost testicles!" Hee hee, silly man!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 05:19 AM

And Furball had us a bit worried this morning. I missed all this but, apparently he was a bit of a pain later last night, climbing on this, scratching things, etc.

Pip and I discussed things and decided it was probably boredom. We also agreed he was probably a cat that is always going to want a bit of freedom which we’d have to allow. We decided we would leave the back door open this morning.

Given his recent desire to stay close to me, I only expected him to stay close to the house but he vanished out of sight for two hours and didn’t respond to calls. Back now though.

O well, for better or worse, I suppose that’s it now. We’ll keep him in at night but it’s his own world out there with both risks and pleasures from now on in the day time to come and go pretty much as he pleases.

That’s how it’s been with the other cats here and of course it’s only a short time ago that he was a free roaming stray but I guess it just took us a bit by surprise this morning.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 01:37 PM

This evening's walk was a bit more eventful. He couldn't resist seeing neighbours female cat (who btw was Mewan's arch enemy. Neighbours would usually get the better of her but they could spend time just cursing one another) off the field and seemed a bit bolder after that.

Towards the top of the field and the North Walsham road, I think I spotted a hare (I'm pretty sure it wasn't a rabbit - don't think my longer distance eyesight is quite that bad). We don't go that far but I opted to turn round where I was in case the cat, who was lagging a bit behind me at that point and round a slight corner, also caught sight.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 11:54 AM

Did I ever mention Starboard, another neutered Tom who got on well with me? He was one for sleeping on or even at times down my bed.

His peculiar way of waking me up was to purr and at the same time dribble down my ear hole.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 11:41 AM

My Mickey comes in, in the early hours and creates such a fuss, wailing until I speak to him. Once he's heard my voice he quietens down but not until the little bugger has woken me !!

Just as well I adore him!!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 09:17 AM

In our case, it's a tabby against a grey carpet in the corridor and a wood effect floor in the kitchen. We do also have plug in "emergency lights" in both these places. They are good enough to, eg. see your way to the toilet at night if the main lights don't go on but the cat is little more than a shadow against either background.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 09:10 AM

They definitely can play games with you.. And work out your own limitations. A couple of things Mewan worked out were that she was quicker than any of us and that we would not pursue her down the drive (main road and always the fear that you could wind up leading the cat in to traffic - we try to discourage any thoughts of going that way and encourage the 90 acres of field round the back - as best we can). In bloody minded mode, she could play on this with the running a few steps from you, etc. Of course she would come to you or let you catch her in the end but it could be frustrating.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 09:02 AM

Yup, they do.

In the middle of the night, I occasionally hear the unmistakable thump of feline bodies tumbling over each other in combat -- mock combat, without growling, hissing or yowls. Both cats like to lounge on the runner at the top of the stairs, in front of the bathroom door, where they can do the most damage to a sleepy person stumbling around in the dark. The runner in question is dark red, and the cats are black. Their camouflage technique is excellent.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 08:55 AM

Murphy is like that. He's bit sneaky at times. For instance, he never ever goes into the spare bedroom. But only yesterday I heard some strange Siamese wailings. (I know the meaning only too well - it says, "Hee hee! You'll never guess what I'm up to!")

After a brief search, his cheeky little brown face peered round the slightly-ajar door of the spare room. I'll swear he was grinning.

He did something similar last week. Same wailing, and there he was in the bathroom of all places, perched up on the shelf next to the make-up mirror, laughing his head off.

I reckon they get a bit bored and think of daft things to do to pass the time!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 08:38 AM

Furball with also do the sudden stop and flop down in front of you, Sen.

Mind you, he can also move very sharply indoors when he wants..He caught me out that way probably the day after the op.

I was trying to keep him in and he seemed dead to the world, fast asleep and I thought in a “do not disturb” mood. I had to lock the sliding door. This can be tricky as sometimes you have to open the door and close it again to get the key to turn. I opened the door and the next thing, sleepy cat was outside (but not wandering off, as said before, he wants my company outside). It’s hard to fathom how he got there from the apparently sleepy state and in the short time frame.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 03:00 AM

Glad you didn't fall over and hurt yourself Jon!

SmokeyPokey is absolutely terrible for doing exactly the same thing.
He walks in front of me, weaves around my legs, darts out in my path etc.
One day he'll break my blooming neck.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Jul 18 - 01:10 AM

Sorry about my snappiness in my last post.

Pussycat does not love me anymore. I know he can sleep/lurk in the corridor at night and that he can be hard to see (lights do go on autmaticlay here but there can be a lag) and I ploughed into him on a trip to the loo.

No real harm done and I’m sure things will pick up again but atm, he is viewing me, or maybe more specifically, my feet with suspicion.

Bloody annoying but these things happen….

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 12:00 PM

Sen might have been an Egyptian then... (and believing something is there, I don't make scientific logic my bounds... but the topic introduced by Charmion is not one I'd go into [beyond that] on this thread, if at all these days on MC)

But Furball is looking contented ATM.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 10:50 AM

But, Officer, she's a GOOD witch.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 10:21 AM

Heh heh Charmion! I'd have been burned as a witch, that's for sure!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 10:00 AM

Eliza, you're darned lucky to be alive in this age of logic and science. Think of the impression your troupe of Siamese familiars would have made on your neighbours in -- say -- the year 1500. You, and the cats, would have been, um, toast.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 09:55 AM

For a cat to follow you outside and not run away or pursue his own diversions says a lot about his affection for you.

Well I suspect his own lack of confidence is over-ruling his desire to pursue his own diversions at the moment, Sen but I'd also think there is a fair element of trust there.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 09:42 AM

Well it sounds to me as if he's very much at home there Jon, and I reckon he'll grow and grow in confidence now. For a cat to follow you outside and not run away or pursue his own diversions says a lot about his affection for you.
I'm so pleased - after all, you've done all you can for Furball, and deserve his love.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 08:57 AM

Lovely story, Sen and I wish I could have seen them all in a row, but poor hissing Sid that one time…

Furball spends most of his indoor daytime in my parent’s living room – the opposite end of the bungalow to me – which is a much better place for him to be and rarely (yes he has explored everywhere now) ventures into my room – only really to get my attention for something. Pip is usually his best friend in the morning as she usually does the food at her breakfast time. But, yes, there are times when he does seem very attached to me and he certainly likes our outings at the moment. That’s similar to how things worked out with Snotcat who in some ways was very much “my cat”.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 08:37 AM

Ah Jon that's so lovely! He's obviously very, very attached to you!

When I had five (!) cats, all Siamese, I used to walk daily down to my neighbour's house for a coffee and a natter. The houses in that village were quite far apart, and I went along a little path to get there. Behind me, one behind the other, always in the same order, were all five of my cats.

Pauline used to watch out for us at her sitting room window, and laugh like anything. Part of the attraction, it has to be said, was the pile of bits of chicken and ham she always had ready for them.

It was Pauline who rang me one day to say all of them had cornered Hissing Sid, the large grass snake, and were poking him as he lay coiled up on her patio. We managed to remove the cats out of harm's way and gently get Sid into the field on the end of a broomstick. (A grass snake can give a nasty bite, although they're not venomous. Besides, poor Sid...! He was hissing like anything, probably terrified!)

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 08:20 AM

Furball has been a bit unsure of himself since the op. He also has a bit of a cut/lump on his back (probably where a tick was) that we are keeping an eye on. He is still asking to go out at night but I don’t know if he would take the opportunity if offered and I don’t really want to find out. He’s not making too much of a fuss over being kept in.

Outside in the daytime, he doesn’t want to move that far from me and a routine walk is developing. We go to the bench in the field where I have a fag and he has a few Dreamies. We then have a wander round eg. the veg plot before we go further up the track in the field. Coming back is fun as he has started to wait for me to get out of sight round a corner and he then does a 40yd dash to overtake me. He may then do shorter waits and runs until we get in (when of course, he expects another small reward).

I don’t know how long this one will last but guess that he might want to explore more as he gains confidence but for now, I think it suits both of us for our own reasons.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Jul 18 - 07:54 AM

The elder statescat Yaz does not cause any trouble but Linus the teenager has caused a door to be replaced, a 1/2 sized cello pushed off a top shelf, instrument repair clamps to fall on guitars, china cabinet structural damage and now has absconded with my hearing aid left atop the shower door rail. Its not his fault for being exceedingly strong, agile and clever.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Jul 18 - 09:28 AM

For a small animal (compared to, say, a rhinoceros), our old tom Bill had a terrific snore. Just like a human, he would start to burble when he rolled on his back, which usually happened in the middle of the night when he was in the process of shoving me off my pillow.

Good thing he was cute.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 01:02 PM

Hahaha Jon! If he starts barking you'll know it was correct!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:57 PM

I don't remember us ever having a real snorer. Mewan was (I assume) a bit of a dreamer so you sometimes could get odd twitches and movements when she was having a good sleep.

Furball (actually now registered as Furbalo [not furbellow]) is wide awake atm and asking for food which I'm giving in small doses.

Thinking of registration, when I signed on and created an account, etc. on the PetTrac (microchip) system. I found he'd been registered a canine - I'm not sure his description then - canine short haired British domestic tabby even exists. Simple change to feline though.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:43 PM

Ah, that's not too bad really. He's a very lucky little cat.
Our two are fast asleep beside me on the sofa. Murphy is a terrible snorer!

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:39 PM

Thanks Sen. I believe the bill for everything including some "recovery food" came in the right side of £200. Pip is happy with that.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:32 PM

Phew Jon, thank goodness it's all done! I bet that wasn't cheap (it never is at the vet's) but well done for getting him neutered, examined and tested etc.
Hope you have many years of lovely times with him! (or 'it'!)

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:03 PM

Oh well this has all been confusing. From being a long haired cat with “luxury tail” to a short haired tabby with a normal tail. From taking (not that he meant ours was, but    Raggy saying it looked like one of his) being a female to being a debated proper tom to now being an it, as well as thinking (possibly because of first knowing him with the matted fur) as being a few years older than he is.


He needs to be kept in a day or two from the op but let’s hope now that all that needs to be done is done* and there are happy times ahead for him.

*castration
flea/tick treatment
tail de-mat
blood tests (all OK)
microchipping

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 12:58 PM

I’m pretty sure one test would be for Feline HIV. As far as I remember with Snotcat (done when he   fell ill with a stomach thing that he responded to an injection for and then relapsed, and it turned out he had this), the blood tests were quite expensive.

Furball will be free until Wednesday evening. I don’t think he will like this but he will have to be kept in from then until the trip to the vets (unfortunately, Sheringham – I wish they operated in their Cromer branch which is under 10 minutes from here). With his movements over the last week or so, that should be ok.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 12:19 PM

Oh well done Jon! Thank goodness he's not been alienated by the experience.

One of ours (SmokeyPokey) is very calm and doesn't mind too much going in the cat carrier, (although he howls all the time in the car) But the other one (Murphy) is a nervous wreck at the best of times and would completely freak out if we had to take him for any reason.

Are the blood tests for Feline HIV? The thing is, vets are dreadfully expensive aren't they?
How are you going to ensure Furball is around to be put in the cat carrier again for his op?

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: keberoxu
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 11:44 AM

Well, congratulations on being adopted by a new young pussycat.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Jul 18 - 10:13 AM

We took Furball to the vets this afternoon and so far, so good.

He didn't enjoy the experience but has settled down on return, taken a stroke and some chicken from me and is in no hurry to leave the house.

I thought he was older than this but the vet says he look a very healthy cat of about 2 years old.

He is going in this Thursday for castration (yes he does need it...), tail de-matting (what he did with the rest of himself was remarkable but this part is still matted) and possible (still to be agreed at home) blood tests and microchipping.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: keberoxu
Date: 23 Jun 18 - 03:39 PM

I found that post, Jon.
It's back in the month of April,
no wonder you had a hard time finding it.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 23 Jun 18 - 03:10 PM

And odd, seem to have replied to a post by kerberoxu in my second part of that last post that seems I dreamed up as I can't find it now...

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 23 Jun 18 - 02:53 PM

Thanks both. Probably the mcavity (TS Elliot mystery cat) out of all the ones we've had as it's been so hard to work out if he wants to stay and what he wants.

I'm pretty sure that if needed he will get the chop. It's the vet to him or him to the vet bit next and, while I would like this to happen soon, I'm not the ultimate decision maker on this one.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Jun 18 - 02:06 PM

I second Raggytash - not boring at all!

Great to hear that Furball is getting into a happy routine Jon, he sounds an interesting little character.

Subject: RE: How many Mudcats have cats!?
From: Raggytash
Date: 23 Jun 18 - 01:48 PM

Not at all boring Jon, I'M pretty sure that many of us are fascinated by your obvious love and care for this, soon to be, very pampered Pussycat !!!