Discipline?

I’m not fond of physical discipline.  Growing up with cats and dogs, poor behavior was met with claps and shouts and the occasional swat on the nose.  Now that I have my own home and pets, I am the one making the rules as to how these children of mine will be taught, and doing the research on behavioral problems.

When I first had Henry, he was a rough around the edges tomcat.  He had his issues.  I’ve mentioned in my first post he hated feet.  Just wearing socks would prompt him to stalk my feet and attack.  Crossing my legs, same results.  Moving my feet beneath my bed?  It was relentless.  Feeling that he was responding from fear, some memories in his past that were negative, I didn’t want to add to the stress with further physical responses or punishments.  I would shout, tuck my feet out of the way, clap, shake a can with thumb tacks in it for noise, but still he persisted.  When my mother was visiting, I felt the need to warn her.  Every guest had that notice, and I was desperate to curb the behavior.  

Things were getting better, but it was a slow process, as to be expected with his psyche.  His emotional responses to shoes/feet, wasn’t something I expected to resolve overnight.  I was able to read Henry’s behavior more and anticipate when he was stalking said feet and would say his name in a warning tone that he knows very well.  We still use that today and it has prevented him from making some bad choices.  (Example: As I am writing this, Henry is wanting to kick Lana out of a spot on a claw post tower despite him sitting in another area.)  In this situation, investing time and keeping patient was the best medicine for Henry.  I asked that visitors not play with him with their feet, as it was a surprising first response from some guests I had over.  

Despite his feelings towards feet, there were other behavioral issues to address.  He would terrorize my plants, and run away the moment I made a move for him.  Same thing for jumping on the counters.  Henry had some manners, but I’m not sure how “house broken” he was when it came to certain things.  I needed something on hand, something that would get the job done quickly to signal to him, this behavior is not acceptable.

Growing up, I have a few memories of using a squirt bottle with our cats.  It was usually out of reach, up on the refrigerator and it was always used in a situation where someone yelled: “Quick!  Get the squirt bottle!”  Very dramatic, but very helpful.  I broke it out for Henry and kept it on hand at all times.  The results were amazing.  He learned quickly that counters = squirts, digging in pots =  squirts, and clawing furniture = squirts.  On rare occasions he sits for a few seconds (I think to angrily spite me) but eventually, he gives up on what he wanted to shred, or quits chasing the Lonz and settles in the middle of the floor to clean off the water drops.  

Mostly when Henry is squirted now, it is because of a Lana chase.  In fact, what prompted me to write this today was due to such a chase.  Lana will chase Henry, Henry will run, but I don’t get worried about those play times.  In this situation, Lana came tearing into the living room, wet marks on her fur from Henry bites, with the Sir close behind.  That bottle got whipped out and he was chased back to the bedroom.  This is my new long term problem that I feel is not going to be solved with streamlined H2O.  Currently I’m looking into Jackson Galaxy’s line of Sprit Essences.  I’ve tried other brand drops in their water before and Feliway plug ins, nothing that I saw immediate results with.  So for now, this case is unsolved, but I may post a review on the Spirit Essences if I get them.  

Lana, I would have to admit, does not get the wrath of the squirt bottle as often as Henry, but that does not make her innocent of any bad deeds.  This cat is EXPENSIVE.  And not because I buy her cute collars every time something new comes out.  She destroys expensive things.  While I’m away.  Henry is guilty of this as well, he never got over plant digging once I left the house.  In these situations, I am the one who modifies my behavior.  Henry’s plants go on top of bookshelves, out of reach.  And Alannah, all of the Macbook cords, phone cables, tablet cables, headphones cords, any cord really, is tucked away where she can’t find them.  

In addition to her need to bite cords (Sometimes while they are plugged in?  How?)  Alannah is notorious for jumping on counters, BUT, only when everyone is in bed.  She hears the door close, and boom, that cat is on the counter, hunting down the butter dish and clanking it around until the top falls off or she hears a door open and vanishes into the dark.  Talk about mischievous.  For this cat, I got something good.  It wasn’t even expensive!  It’s called a Sofa Scram, but I used it for countertops.  It’s simply a pressure sensitive matt that you can lay out anywhere you don’t want your pet to go, and if they step on it, a high frequency tone will sound until that pressure is removed.  Amazing.  I’ve used it once or twice and haven’t had to since.

There are lots of methods to discipline your pet, or to simply modify their behavior (even our own) that don’t require a physical swat.  Sometimes they take a lot of work, because the symptom is stemming from a larger issue.  I love my pets and I love that there are innovations out there that can help me curb their behaviors in a more positive direction without attacking their confidence and personality.  There is always a work in progress, because WE are always a work in progress.  We always want to be better, and we want that for our pets.  We want that friendly coexisting with snuggles and playtime.  

Any stories that you guys have with your cuddle buckets?  

Heads or Tails

Having hand Alannah and Henry together for a few years now, I have grown accustomed to telling the pair apart.  There are those moments where I do get confused, particularly if one is performing bad behavior that I’m used to seeing from the other.  

Both Henry and Lana are flame points, meaning they are all white excepting the “points” of their body, which usually are the head, feet and tail.  The older the cat is, the more prominent their points are.  Henry and Lana are also both blue eyed, and good in size (although Henry probably has a good 5 pounds on Lana). 

My dad particularly is amazed by how similar my kittens are.  He insists that it’s like they came from the same litter!  I guess you have to be the parent to the cats and see them regularly to make out their original features.  

There are countless things to look for, Henry has a square face, Lana is more slender, Henry’s eyes are bold blue, Lana’s are icy.  Henry has more orange, it goes on. 

My favorite difference between Henry and Lana is their tails!  Henry has a long 12 inch dragon like swiping tail that comes to a thin point.  Alannah has the CUTEST baby tail I have ever seen!  10 inches, much shorter than Henry’s that it’s comical to see her sitting side by side with him.  It is fluffy and comes to a curved end.  I adore this oddity between them.  

Cuddle Buckets

Henry and Lana are notorious cuddlers.  They are both fond of slamming their heads into people for pets and settling themselves into a lap without question.  

If it’s the weekend, and I’m sleeping in, I can count on Henry to melt into my lap.  Usually he will walk up my legs, trying to meow me awake, and then settles right below my chin, purring and resting the side of his head on my chest.  It is so adorable.  I love waking up that way.  I absently pet him while the sun rises and he purrs and closes his eyes.  Lovely!

Lana likes to follow me around until I sit down.  At that point she will claim my lap, run up to stare me in the face, and waits to make eye contact.  She will literally stare at my eyes or mouth, waiting for recognition.  Once I talk to her, or look at her, the purring starts.  Loud motor purrs.  She will sit as close as she can to my face, and try to lick me with her scratchy tongue.  Lana will even go as far as to reach a paw out to my face.  Sometimes she just rests it on my mouth.  Such a silly girl!

Between the both of them, I would say Henry cuddles the most, and Lana demands pets the most.  But they are both precious and the sweetest!

How Many Nick Names Do Your Pet’s Have?

Henry:

Mister, Benry, Benry Boy, Sir Henry, Triangle Cat, Dragon Cat, Bubble Cat, The Sir, Sir, Buddy Boy, Baby Boy, Buddy

Alannah:

Lon Lon, Lana, Princess Lons, Princess Lon Lons, Fluffster, Princess, Little Lon Lon, Lana Girl

I’m sure I’ll come up with more, but so far this is the collection of names for my kitties.  Henry is usually called Mister or Benry Boy, Alannah is usually called Lana or Little Lon Lon.  

Henry’s names of Triangle, Dragon, or Bubble cat comes from ways he sits or walks.  Sometimes he curls his legs beneath him and looks like a bubble.  And from that position he may stretch head to the floor and look like a triangle.  Other times he walks with a slowly swishing tail like a dragon!

Lana is truly a princess.  A very fluffy one!  She has baby fine hair, and loves her back scratched, which usually results in the fine hair floating around the room.  Sometimes I find them in my keyboard at work!  Hence the name Fluffster.  

Care For an Origin Story or Two?

I had lived alone in Utah for about three months before I met Henry.  There was a new job, new apartment, new life.  It was pretty terrifying!  Luckily I did know a few friends from college there.  In fact, we had just finished a night out, and I was being dropped back home one cold winters night when I saw him!  A beautiful white tomcat with orange ears and tail and bright blue eyes.  He saw me, our eyes met, and he came running over, meowing all his troubles.  He rolled on the cement, pressed his face on my hands and feet, and just became comfortable at my side.  He was so precious!

My friend said he looked like a Henry, but I was skeptical of falling in love.  I waved goodbye as my ride drove off, and Mr. Kitty walked me to my apartment.  I couldn’t leave him outside in the cold, that would just be cruel, so he was allowed to march into my apartment with me.  

I grabbed some tuna, water, milk, anything for my hungry fellow, but he was more inclined to talk.  There was some gentle shushing and laughter before bed, to which he snuggled up on the comforter with me.  It was discovered he had a major dislike for feet under covers, or crossed when sitting.  I’ve always wondered if he was kicked in his past life.  

The next morning, I found him squatting over a potted plant, doing some business.  I did not interrupt, but as uncomfortable as I was, took it as a good sign that he was somewhat potty trained.  However, I knew I could not keep him, and with a heavy heart, I opened the front door to let him out.  That lasted about ten minutes.  After hearing him calling, wandering the apartment buildings, and returning to my door, I once again took him in.  But I still could not keep him.  I was poor from moving, and couldn’t afford a $300 pet deposit on top of the supplies and care he would need.  (He was not neutered.)  So Henry went to the humane society, and I cried my way to work.  

I had marked my calendar for the 5 days the Humane Society said they would need to see if anyone came to claim him.  After that, he was at risk of euthanasia.  I couldn’t let that happen to the beautiful boy.  I had already fallen for him.  My apartment complex worked with me, let me break up my pet deposit payments, and after Henry was neutered at the vet’s office, I took him home!

We had a fun and sometimes crazy time getting to know each other.  It was a chore to teach him that slippers on my feet were not out to get him.  And he let me know even though he lays on his back, he does not want his tummy rubbed!  We would play games of hide and seek, he likes to toss his head when he is trying to be brave and stand his ground.  His thin frame filled out, and he became more orange as the years bore on.  

It was our second apartment when I felt that Henry was growing bored.  It was also at that point that I was considering a dog.  A small one that wouldn’t mind apartment living.  My friend Emily and I would constantly visit the local humane societies and pour over the canines there, showering them with affection.  I was not in any hurry, however, as I was skeptical of introducing the king of the castle, Henry.  

We were wandering through PetsMart, when a bundle of white fur caught my eye.  In that instant, the dog I was considering became a cat.  She was from a local pet rescue, and also a flame point like my boy.  In her clear cage she watched me with light blue’s, not interested in playing with my fingers.  She was depressed.  Horribly sad.  I could tell.  

I did not leave with her.  Instead I went home and researched all I could on introducing two cats.  Boys do better being introduced with girls!  Good sign!  Finding Alannah’s bio on Pet Finder, I read she would prefer a multi cat household, and that pretty much sealed the deal.  

I returned with my trusty cat crate.  Our first meeting was wonderful, despite the rough and uncaring PetsMart employee.  She was a completely different cat outside her cage!  Alannah was a purr maniac with a meow like a raspy baby, and she loved to play with toys.  

I was so excited to introduce her to Henry, but it was a long process.  Months.  Henry is stubborn.  But she was just what he needed.  He was no longer scaling the walls, ripping up carpet, running a muck through every room.  Now they cuddle, they groom each other (or Henry grooms Princess Alannah) and we are one big happy family!