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Home > More Wedding Pictures - Courtesy of the Photographer! - Cat Stress

More Wedding Pictures - Courtesy of the Photographer! - Cat Stress

June 11th, 2016 at 04:38 am

Last night I got the link to our wedding photos from our photographer. I'd really tried to be patient and not send too many emails asking for updates. Smile

Some are ones that are similar to ones my family took, but there are a good number of the ceremony and reception that I hadn't had any photos of.

Here's the link if you'd like to see: http://ronhagen.smugmug.com/Scott-Laura/n-6nkHfw

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We've been having some animal issues here. Right now I'm still the only one actually *living* here. With all the cats and the dog we're dogsitting.

DH's cats are adjusting pretty well to the new house / new environment. They also have adjusted well to being fed out of individual bowls (rather than food scattered on the floor with a mad scramble ...)

Kari though ... she adjusted well when it was just her and I. She was okay when the first few cats were added. Still okay, though getting stressed when more were added. Then, the dog was added. And finally, the last cat.

The first few days with the dog went okay. She wasn't eating much because she kept looking out for the dog every time there was a noise. But eventually I figured out that if I fed her away from the group up high, that that would work somewhat better.

That was good - because I had enough to deal with due to the dogs skin allergy. (which while not totally healed, is a whole lot better now - thanks to being consistent with his meds!)

The last 3 or 4 days though, things have gone from just okay, to not okay. She is very stressed. Not just hissing once in awhile at the other cats, but hissing a LOT, growling, and doing this horrible scream that sounds like she's being murdered or something. (while no cat is even touching her - nor is the dog - just a cat getting too close to her space or something) Also, is basically keeping herself sequestered in a corner of my office.

DH thinks it will get better once the dog is gone. (Two more long weeks.) I really hope he is right.

I am afraid though, that Kari won't be happy in a multi-animal family. She was very skittish and aloof with other people even when it was just her and I. Now she's even more jumpy.

I'm afraid that I may have to consider doing something that makes my stomach turn inside out. Something I have always said I would *never* do. But .. if it is either find a new home for her or have her continue being stressed out and not enjoying life ... and stressing me out, which in turn stresses DH out (since I'm a *wee* bit over emotional due to the stress ...) It's also not helping the other cats much to be constantly hissed at/ swatted at by Kari.

Ugh.

I won't make any decision until I've tried just about anything and everything I can think of.

Tonight I bought some calming chews from Petco. Kari wouldn't eat them. Frown Koky (the dog) liked them though. (He also prefers cat food - and his owner just feeds him cat food.)

I also ordered some kind of calming gel paste from Amazon today.

The dog - he is a sweet, good dog for the most part. But ... he has this tendency to charge the cats once in a while when he gets overexcited. He also has the most annoying bark in the world. If you ignore him, it just gets worse.

I'm SO ready for this dog to go. 2 more weeks.

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DH asked me tonight to schedule movers for the 21st. Finally. (He's been working on getting his place packed - lots of electronics/speakers which take a lot of time to pack properly, etc.)

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Sunday I have someone scheduled to come put the coaxial cable through the walls (for cable/Internet). I can also have them make connections in other places in the house, or do outlets. All for the same price. ($40) I'm going to ask them to do the bedrooms, the office, the workshop and the laundry room. Smile May as well, right?

I was just so happy to be able to have someone come out on a Sunday!

When that's done, then I'll be working on my Cook Smart's meal plan. I bit the bullet and paid for a year - at 20% off. $56.

I went shopping for ingredients tonight. I still need to find farro and soyrizo.

Meal 1: Zucchini Cake Sandwiches
Meal 2: Farro Bowls (may sub Quinoa if I can't find farro)
Meal 3: Mexican Hash
Meal 4: Soyrizo and Corn Saute

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Ok, gotta clean the cat boxes, take Koky out, and then feed the gang so I can get to bed. Night all!

13 Responses to “More Wedding Pictures - Courtesy of the Photographer! - Cat Stress”

  1. LuckyRobin Says:
    1465617892

    Is soyrizo a vegetarian chorizo sausage?

  2. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1465620142

    I think maybe so.

  3. ceejay74 Says:
    1465621588

    zucchini cake sandwich sounds awesome! I'm picturing zucchini fritters or something in bread. Kind of like a fried green tomato sandwich. Is it anything like that? Smile
    I feel for you with Kari. Our Noodles was so bummed about us bringing Clue into the family that he ran away twice -- the second time for good. I still feel like they would have come around if they'd had more time, though. I admit both of our current cats are more people-friendly so probably more cat-friendly, but I miss Noodles and wish we'd had time to see if he got used to Clue.

  4. CB in the City Says:
    1465656215

    I think time will help solve Kari's angst. She's used to having you to herself, so this is a whole new experience for her. I think she will find her way, when she accepts that this a permanent situation.

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1465657434

    I agree with you that the dog is likely more of the issue with Kari. If you have tried everything, it is actually very humane of you to find her another home. If only my daughter had an apartment....she'd probably take her!! She misses our cats. Can you keep them separate until the dog leaves?

  6. Butterscotch Says:
    1465669087

    Where did all these other cats come from!?! How many are there now? Poor Kari Frown She has been a part of your blog for so long - I would hate for you to have to get rid of her in order accommodate these other cats.

  7. rob62521 Says:
    1465679711

    Zucchini cake sandwiches sounds awesome!

  8. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1465681078

    Ceejay - Yes, I think they are very similar to fritters. Just basicly grated zuchinni mixed with Panko, etc. and fried up. A chili sauce accompanies it. (Which I'm going to try ... I'm not much of a spice person. My DH is though ... so if it gets him to eat veggies ...)

    Thanks for commiserating. Kari running away is at least one thing I don't think I need to worry about. She is petrified of being outside. Unlike my previous cat Monkey who I had to keep a vigilant eye on the door ...

    CB - I really, really, really hope you are right. Maybe she's feeding off of my stress a bit too .. going from being a mom of one cat to a mom of too many cats. (plus a dog temporarily, plus the baby chick and chicken eggs in the basement, plus the turtle and turtles to come ...)

    CCF - I've tried. But the room she's coocooned herself in is the office - which at the moment has a cable running through the door - which makes it impossible to fully shut the door (at least not enough to keep Koky the dog from opening it.) If your daughter ever wants some cat time, she's welcome to come over and get loved on by multiple cats. All but two (Kari and Munchkin) are people lovers. Smile
    Butterscotch - The cats (except Kari) were my DH's. He had two when I met him (one of which is still living now), acquired another two (mother and daughter) during the years we only corresponded, and then added the rest while we were dating. All were strays (except the one that passed) he found while out delivering. All of them are really great cats in their own way. (He had them checked for diseases and microchips, posted lost cat found ads, etc.)

    Rob - I'm looking forward to them myself. Smile

  9. Jenn Says:
    1465695249

    Your pictures are beautiful.

    Good luck on the cat situation. I'm sure things will get better when the dog departs. Maybe you could move Kari in your bedroom for 'her place'. It might seem more familiar to her. If the cats aren't neutered, I wonder if there could be some hormonal causes behind her behavior.

  10. Rachael777 Says:
    1465787772

    if the dog is charging the cats that is likely a big cause of stress. I suggest you isolate her and others if need be in a room where the door will close. not fair to rehome her whern her current behavior is to be expected considering the situation. if the dog is leaving just give her a safe place and isolate her. All wil be happier

  11. klarose Says:
    1465832172

    They make and spray and an air infuser that the clients at the vet I worked at just loved. It's called Feliway, and it's suppose to calm cats. You may want to look into it.

  12. CB in the City Says:
    1466021544

    Just wanted to say, the first time I read this I didn't take the time to look at the pictures -- I did today, and I enjoyed them so much! You had a beautiful wedding!

  13. PatientSaver Says:
    1466125281

    I agree with Rachel that if the dog is charging the cats, you can't expect them all to be happy together. I think the dog should be isolated, not the cats. The dog's behavior is not acceptable. The cat needs a safe place.

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