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Bernies story and long intro's
Hiya, just thought I'd share our experience of introductions and the progress we are now making.
Winston, as you all know has been with me for almost 21 years. We lost his brother at the age of 5 and after a time I took in a poor cat that had been tormented and abused and fed drugs. He very quickly became Winstons long time companion but we lost him sadly a few years ago to Hepatic Lipidosis.
My vet at the time recomended we get a kitten, as this would bring out the kitten in Winston, he said. I took his advice, but would do it all differently now, and we got Eva. We took the intro slowly and Eva lived in the lounge for a time. Winston has always been a very gentle and accepting cat and so there wasnt many problems, other than she was way too young to be a companion for Winston. They tolerate one another but are not that close.
I then became very friendly with a girl from another site, who does alot of rescue work. Every day she would be rescuing, nursing and rehoming kitties. She then posted one that she had found living on a railway track, very scruffy and under norished. She had so many cats at this point and couldnt think what to call him. I insisted she call him Bernie Cribbens, from the railway children.
When Bernies picture was posted on the rehoming page, I dearly loved him instantly. I thought it was an impossibility that I could be his forever home as he was in Wales and I am in Scotland. I mentioned that I loved him but it would be impossible. Dawn, the rescue lady, said she would love for me to be his forever home and so every one pulled together on the site to work out how it could be done, with minimum stress to Bernie.
After many discussions a plan was formed with the help of another rescue lady from Perth and her inlaws in Manchester. The Inlaws didnt live far from Dawn, and so they picked him up and he stayed over night in Mancester. The following day they drove to Gretnagreen with Bernie, where Liz, the other rescue lady, was waiting. Liz then took Bernie to Perth for another over night stay and he was delivered to me the following day. What a journey for the poor cat but he coped brilliantly and every one he met on his journey fell in love with him too.
Any way that was back in November. Eva hated him on sight, Winston was not too concerned. It has take a very long time but e are finally making progress with the intro's. Its not as easy as they make out it is in books. Eva is very sensitive but very slowly she is building her confidence. She has always been more scared of him than anything else and there have been a few mishaps along the way. Poor Bernie has been kept separate all this time but is a very happy and playfull kitty. Its been quite trying at times making sure all 3 cats have their individual attention and play time. I really dont know how some of you all manage with multi pet households.
We are getting very close now as we had a few major break throughs this week. It has very much been a case of two steps forward and one back all the way. We have had a pen set up in the kitchen for months now, where Bernie goes at feeding times. He has always been very relaxed about all the fuss Eva makes. It took about a month before Eva would even eat at the door way to the kitchen but now eats happily with in inches.
The other day Bernie managed to take a nip at Eva's tail. She hissed then turned and they sniffed noses. The following day she walked around the cage for the first time, growled a fair bit then settled down inches away from Bernie. Last night was the biggest breakthrough.
Normally after feeding, Eva lies in the hallway, we open the pen and Bernie walks from the kitchen, through the hall and into the lounge for some play time with Graham. But last night, Bernie walked out of the pen and round the back of it. Eva became curious and entered the kitchen to see what he was doing. They sat a few feet apart just watching eachother. Bernie then jumped on top of the pen, and I felt sure that this would frighten Eva and she would run, but no, she moved a little closer to the pen and watched him, growling a little.
She than made to walk out of the kitchen, which was Bernies cue to take chase. He did follow, Eva lay down, ears flat to her head and hissed. Bernie walked staight past her and into the bedroom. Eva regained her composure and folllowed. Bernie went under the bed and settled in Eva's bed there. Eva lay at the side of the bed and watched, quite calmly. We left it a few minutes then took Bernie into the lounge for some playtime and Eva got lots of fusses for being extra brave.
Old boy Winston was fast asleep and knew nothing of the events, bless him.
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to share it coz its not always that easy to get cats to tolerate eachother and some never will. But I am so proud of all my kitties and their acheivements. They have taught me so much, I just wish I had this much patients with humans LOL. Hopefully, on day VERY soon, we Will have acceptance and can all live together with out segregation LOL.
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Next I thought by Xmas
The January came
Now we are into February and I thought maybe by my 40th, wouldnt that have been a lovely present???
My 40th looms dark for tomorrow
Its been quite a journey but one I would take again but not in the near future
We are getting there and feels bloody good. I have been keeping a diary of events etc, so every time I feel a bit negative, its good to look at it a see how far we have actually come
