First month of cat ownership

[MN ChimpH8R]

A month ago I adopted a 9-year-old kitty from a local feline rescue operation. He had a pretty tough life - was raised as a house cat until he was 6-7 months and then kicked out of the house to be a 12-months a year outside cat. He lost all of one ear and half of the other to Minnesota winter cold. After about seven years he was abandoned completely by his "owners" and was saved by the rescue organization. He was fostered for more than a year until I took him home.

He was very scared for the first few days after he came home. Seven years on the street and a year in a busy foster home with several other cats (and a St. Bernard) left him easy to spook and very shy. He has slowly figured out that he is now living in a one-animal house and that no other critters will chase him or hassle him. Now he follows me around the house, is starting to act like he owns the joint, and seems to be getting his cat mojo back. He still hides under the bed sometimes, but he has gotten much feistier and more demanding, in a nice way, over the last couple of weeks

The weird thing is that he doesn't meow. He purrs like a lawnmower when I so much as talk to him, but he just does not meow. He's an incredibly sweet and loving cat, and will sit in my lap and purr/sleep as long as I let him. How he could keep such a wonderful personality after leading such a tough life is existentially amazing. I wish I'd adopted a cat before, but then maybe I wouldn't have picked the terrific furry friend I have now. I swear he knows how good he has it and appreciates it all the more for his past life. Things are definitely better with animals!

Katpic: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3784455

[MissMillie]

1. It never ceases to amaze me

how pets can learn to trust again after being so badly mistreated. God Bless you for rescuing this kitty. You are a true American hero.

[LynneSin]

2. Cats who live outside full time don't meow much

Meowing gives them away so they learn to be silent. Not only are they hiding from predators but even humans who they also perceive as predators. Plus meowing can scare away the prey that they are stalking. For cats who have been raised totally ferral it's common to never hear them meow in capitivity.

Evita was like that too - for about 6 months she never meowed. Then one day her voice came back and it dawned on her that if she meowed, she get me to move my butt when it came to feeding her. Plus being around Abbott (who knew how to meow when I got him) she probably picked it up from him too.

Purring is a different story, it's quieter and saved for when something feels good which probably hasn't been your guys case for all those years :cry: Glad to see he got that back.

[LisaL]

6. The cat is a persian mix. I have a persian and they don't

meow much. One of my cats doesn't meow at all.

[MN ChimpH8R]

7. Yes - he's Himalayan/domestic longhair mix nt

[SoCalDem]

12. Yeppers.. meowing is something they do because WE like it

and respond to their needs when they do it..:)
In the wild, silence is golden..but horrific YOWLS do occur in mating and turf battles :)

[Heidi]

3. "Ownership" is "servitude" in cat-speak.

You'll see. ;) I love being the obedient servant to the Wiley and Excellent Cat Named Ginger.

Congrats on your new companion, MN ChimpH8R! :thumbsup:

[LynneSin]

5. That is so true - we never own cats

we are their servants and if you think otherwise they will remind you that you are always wrong and they are always right.

Threads like this make me want to go home and snuggle with my cats!

[knowbody0]

4. what a lovely life for his later days

and he is really sweet looking. lots of love between you two. thanks for sharing

[Sanity Claws]

8. Congratulations to both of you!

I'm glad you told us what happened. I read your posting about going to check out the cat but had not heard whether you had adopted the cat.
I hope you're both very happy together.

[Arugula Latte]

9. Yay!

I'm so glad that poor kitty got a good home.

Welcome to the wonderful world of kitty servitude! "We live to serve." (See my profile)

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

10. Again, thank you for being his hero!

You're mine right now, too. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. You are so wonderful! *hugs*

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[Arkansas Granny]

13. My two cats were both feral cats that I have raised from kittens.

They are both very lovable, but they rarely meow. They are in and out cats (with their own door), but they know my schedule and greet me every morning when I get up (ready for breakfast) and every evening when I get home (ready for supper).

[tonekat]

14. Good for you!

Maybe after awhile, you'll want to get a nice buddy for him, to keep him company when you're out of the house.
My 9 yr old, Jello, doesn't meow either, he opens his mouth to do so, but produces no sound, but he purrs like a locomotive! Now, if he gets into a situation outside with another beastie, he can make some horrible sounds! Over the weekend, a neighbor stopped by for drinks on the deck with his little short legged doggie, Jello glowered at that dog through the screen door and emitted this low, gutteral "Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

[Tom Kitten]

15. that's great!

I really am touched by what you did, adopting your new friend. I know he has the good life from now on!

[ET Awful]

16. What a great story :). You did a good thing taking in the big lug.

You gave him a great home where he can stay inside, stay warm, and eat like a king. Of course he's gonna purr at you :).

Congratulations to you and him :). Don't mind the lack of meows, some cats do and some cats don't. One thing to keep in mind is that most cats only meow at people, not at other cats. . . maybe he thinks your just a big friendly kitty :)

[friesianrider]

17. Oh, trust me...he knows what you've done for him!

He is one lucky kitty - not only to be found and rescued by this group, but then to be adopted by someone like you :)

I have several ex-ferals, and I'd swear on anything they truly know how lucky they are.

And you'll get no disagreement from me: things ARE better with animals! I would go insane (or at least, more insane lol) without my fur babies.

[proud patriot]

18. Sounds like a wonderful cat

I wish you many years of friendship

[miss_kitty]

19. Thanks for the update

I remember to original thread.

He's still got a lot of changing to do. My dog was not treated any where near as badly as your cat. I've had her since 1 December 2004, and she is still coming up with new bolder behaviour. She started by going to bed by herself, laying on my sofa cushion (instead of hers) and a couple days ago, started yelling at me. And people in the neighbourhood who don't see her every day say she's like a different dog now.

Your cat may soon realise that he is safe with you and that mewing is ok-