Today, Donovan went to what I hope will be his forever home. His new mom Tracee seemed to understand that he was probably going to hide for at least a week or more until he adjusts. She promised to set up a strict feeding and care schedule and follow it while just ignoring him until he was ready to come out. She will call me if he goes on a hunger strike. It’s a great home, he has a new big family and he is the only cat there. But it broke my heart to leave him because he crawled under the computer and was crying softly when I took my leave. 🙁 I wish I could explain to them that although I love them bunches they are so much better off in homes without kitty chaos then they are with me. My fingers are crossed and my knees bent in prayer that he doesn’t go on a hunger strike and not adjust over time.
Update: After a few emails and some phone calls, Donovan is back home and in his stead in the new home are two of the black kitties; Toby and Tucker. Donovan apparently was miserable last night, so much so that the gal’s twins started to cry and so did she not knowing what to do. So first thing this morning, I put two crates on the floor and took the first two cats who darted in with me to fetch Donovan.
When I arrived, I called out to Donovan who answered me and soon showed himself for only the second time. I picked him up, gave him a gentle hug and put him in a carrier- then I let Tucker and Toby out.
They immediately jumped on the bed laid down, rolled over on their tummy as if to say “Here we are, aren’t we cute?” The family was enchanted and instead of adopting one kittten, they have adopted two.
Donovan has not left my side- so for now he is off the adoption list. It will take a special person to accept him and work with him slowly letting him find his own place in another home- but apparently he doesn’t wish to leave yet…
Mike has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will have a biopsy on Thursday. If it is as feared for the levels are high, I will be driving him five times a week for treatment into Corvallis which is about an hour away. As Donovan is one of his lap kitties at night, perhaps it is a good thing that Donnie is back home-
Purrrrrring that Donovan adjusts quickly, and his noo beans are patient enough to let him.
He’ll learn that he’s in a wonderful home, even if it is new. My Tucker decided not to eat when he first came to stay with me. He had to be force-fed for a week – though he took that very well. And now…I wish he would decided not to eat – so much! I’m sure Donovan will be fine, though it must indeed be very hard to leave him and all of them.
My heart broke when I brought a cat back to the rescue (I got her because she was pregnant). She was shaking in the carrier during the whole ride over and I felt horrible that she couldn’t stay with us. She was a friendly cat who was very loving so I knew she would find a good home. My feral “fosters” are pretty much long term and she deserved a place where she would get all the attention. It still makes me sad thinking about it but she was adopted so….it’s a good thing.
I have a couple towels on the cat beds and in carriers and when we adopt them out I send their towel with them, like a security blanket. Do you think that helps them adjust or keeps them from adjusting as quickly?
Heidi,
I know it helps them make the adjustment quicker. But most of my cats and kittens have lived through things that would curl your hair if they could tell you about it. Some of them come with so many triggers that no amount of towels or rags from home will let them adjust to a new place. Others give off signs that they are ready to leave and learn that other humans besides those who live in my house are good and trusting.
Talk about a mixed blessing. On one hand, the adopting family now has two kittehs, ready to play, play, play. On the other, Donovan is back with you, and likely will stay for a long time.
Sending purrrrrrss &U purrrrayers to you and Mike. We hope the biopsy shows minimal diseease.
Yeah for the black kitties!
Donovan sounds like he knows where his home is and wants to stay put. I know I would cave in and keep him, but I’m weak.
I hope things turn out well for Mike.