Saying Goodbye to Pets
We have been having problems with our cats for months now. Even before we moved our cat Oscar was using his litter box less and less. Since September when we moved here we could count the number of times he's used the box. Cleo has followed suit. For the most part they pee in it but every day we are cleaning up pile after pile of poop. On occasion they even bring their business upstairs and have ruined a few pairs of shoes by climbing into the hall closet and going in there. We have tried everything we can. We've been giving them more and more wet food, letting them outside whenever they like, spending more time with them and trying to keep the kids from chasing and mauling them. We have alternately tried "punishing" them. We heard that if you close them in a smaller room with their food, water and litter box they will use the box rather than contaminate the room they are in. That does work while we keep them in there but as soon as they are let out it's back to their old tricks. Cleo also has the added issue of a back problem. She has always had a curve to her spine and recently has stopped grooming a place need her tail. When we try to brush it or even touch that spot she freaks out.
We got these cats from the Humane Society in January 2004 and at that time they were 8 and 9 years old. They were from the same family and were apparently brother and sister, but who really knows. All that was an estimation.
Cleo is very tinny and skittish. When most people see her for the first time they ask how old she is, assuming she's a kitten. For a while after bringing them home she seemed extra frightened of Randall. Sometimes when he would pet her she would abruptly turn on him and bat at his hand. We believe she must have been abused by the male in the family she used to belong to. Over time Randall was able to win her over and she became much more affectionate with both of us. She would often surprise people when the were over by climbing on the couch behind them and rubbing her head on theirs, a trait I'm not sure most people appreciated.
Oscar has always been an affectionate cat. He often will climb up on your lap when your sitting and always loves to curl up beside you. He's been an excellent pet for the kids as well. He can't be bothered to move and doesn't get upset when they roll around on him, pull his fur and wrap him up in blankets. We have attempted to keep the kids as kind to him as possible since we know that their sometimes unwanted attention must be contributing to his unhappiness but he does at times really seem to enjoy their company and on a rare occasion will become somewhat playful.
We just don't seem to have any other options right now and as time has gone buy the cats are getting worse. Last week they decided not to pee in the litter boxes as well. The most frustrating part is that it seems so spiteful. The will walk PAST the box and go a few feet beyond it. Randall spoke with the Humane Society to see what our options are but since the cats are old as well (15 and 16 we believe) all they can do is put them down. I'm saddened by the prospect of not having them around even though their presence is right now constantly frustrating. I feel the worst for the kids who love these cats immensely. I guess there is never a good time to loose a pet but I hope that they will be alright with this. At this point Alex won't remember them when he grows up and I'm not sure if I think this is better or worse. Trinity will be a different story. I suppose we'll have to take things as they come and see how she reacts. I'm just not sure how we should tell her they won't be with us any longer.
We got these cats from the Humane Society in January 2004 and at that time they were 8 and 9 years old. They were from the same family and were apparently brother and sister, but who really knows. All that was an estimation.
Cleo is very tinny and skittish. When most people see her for the first time they ask how old she is, assuming she's a kitten. For a while after bringing them home she seemed extra frightened of Randall. Sometimes when he would pet her she would abruptly turn on him and bat at his hand. We believe she must have been abused by the male in the family she used to belong to. Over time Randall was able to win her over and she became much more affectionate with both of us. She would often surprise people when the were over by climbing on the couch behind them and rubbing her head on theirs, a trait I'm not sure most people appreciated.
Oscar has always been an affectionate cat. He often will climb up on your lap when your sitting and always loves to curl up beside you. He's been an excellent pet for the kids as well. He can't be bothered to move and doesn't get upset when they roll around on him, pull his fur and wrap him up in blankets. We have attempted to keep the kids as kind to him as possible since we know that their sometimes unwanted attention must be contributing to his unhappiness but he does at times really seem to enjoy their company and on a rare occasion will become somewhat playful.
We just don't seem to have any other options right now and as time has gone buy the cats are getting worse. Last week they decided not to pee in the litter boxes as well. The most frustrating part is that it seems so spiteful. The will walk PAST the box and go a few feet beyond it. Randall spoke with the Humane Society to see what our options are but since the cats are old as well (15 and 16 we believe) all they can do is put them down. I'm saddened by the prospect of not having them around even though their presence is right now constantly frustrating. I feel the worst for the kids who love these cats immensely. I guess there is never a good time to loose a pet but I hope that they will be alright with this. At this point Alex won't remember them when he grows up and I'm not sure if I think this is better or worse. Trinity will be a different story. I suppose we'll have to take things as they come and see how she reacts. I'm just not sure how we should tell her they won't be with us any longer.
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