Update on Mali, the abandoned kitty we rescued from freezing to death

[derby378]

12 hours ago, I wouldn't have been able to post this, because I was certain that our little Mali would be adopted by someone, or at least housed in a no-kill shelter.

ginbarn and I rescued Mali off the streets last weekend, narrowly saving her from a nasty bout of cold weather including sleet and ice that probably would have killed her had she remained outside - after all, she's only about 9-10 months old. But when we brought Mali inside, our 19-year-old cat, Axl, started hissing at her and even charging her. We kept the two separated for a week. We even resigned ourselves to surrendering Mali to a no-kill shelter if we couldn't find anyone to adopt her in the area.

As of tonight, however, things have changed dramatically. We've introduced Axl to Mali once again, and while they're hissing at each other a little bit, neither cat is trying to attack the other. They both seem fairly relaxed about the emerging family situation, even if they're not exactly crazy about each other. And Mali now has a fairly unrestricted run of the place; she no longer needs to be cooped up in my bedroom.

So it looks like a Christmas miracle has come upon us - we have a new kitty!

Our sincere thanks to everyone on DU who tried to find Mali a new home. I think she has one at last.

:woohoo::bounce::woohoo::bounce::woohoo:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Good news!

Sometimes it takes cats awhile, even weeks, to adjust to newcomers. I'm glad to hear you can keep her.

[derby378]

4. Giving her up would have broken my heart

I was prepared for a good cry and a meal of "comfort food." I'm so glad things are looking up. Thank you!

[redqueen]

2. Awwwww!

So happy to hear the good news!

She's such a pretty girl and sounds so sweet... glad things are calming down. :)

[derby378]

6. She's sleeping on the couch with ginbarn right now

They both had a difficult week. Think I'll let the girls rest up a bit. ;)

[auntAgonist]

3. that's awesome!

:hug: for you and ginbarn.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.


I've been so lax in writing to those I care about please give ginbarn an extra :hug: from me.


aA
kesha

[derby378]

7. Will do...

...and a Merry Christmas to you, too! :hug:

[TZ]

I love happy endings!

Especially for kitties!

[TZ]

5. I love happy endings!

Especially for kitties!

[derby378]

8. Me too!

One less kitty who has to spend the longest night of the year out in the cold with nobody to care for her.

And to all a good night, indeed! :hi:

[abbeyco]

9. Can I send a bag of kitty crunchies your way?

I know it's tough to keep a second animal but I salute you for taking in the baby kitty that needed a new home.

Please PM me with info and I'll send a GC or bag of crunchies your way for both of the kittehs.

Congrats on the new fur baby in your home!

[justabob]

10. I am so glad it worked out for y'all!

This is great news. She is a very lucky kitty. :hug:

[BuelahWitch]

11. YAAAAAY!!!

So happy they're getting along! Mali is such a gorgeous kitty!

[supernova]

12. Wonderful Xmas present for all of you!

:D

Congrats.

[derby378]

13. Update on the kitty

Well, we had a little setback. Mali and Axl just had a slapfight a few minutes ago. I think there's some dominance issues that still need to be sorted out, and ginbarn is convinced that it'll take a few weeks before they can be left completely unsupervised together.

Also, ginbarn really wants to give Mali another name. What do y'all think about calling her Banjo?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. It's not really a setback. The whole dominance-hierarchy thing takes awhile

to settle up in the cat universe. A little Feliway might help if you haven't tried that yet.

[applegrove]

15. That is the best outcome there could be. The people who cared enough to save

her life now are owned by Mali. That is great.

[kiva]

16. Excellent! Congrats on the new kitteh, and give Axl extra treats. n/t

[derby378]

18. Not a bad idea

Axl needs reassurance that he's never going to be replaced. Ever.

It's just that now there's an unexpected and unplanned new addition to our little family. Gee, that's never happened to anyone before, has it?

:silly:

[kiva]

25. Ha! My girl cat was OK with the first new addition--

she was a kitten and happy for the company. The next one...not so much. The last one, she spent a great deal of time hissing and threatening me. Now everyone is OK most of the time, though they still have their moments.

[crispini]

17. Yay, a new cat!

It may take them awhile, but they'll probably settle down. Cool!

[derby378]

19. I sure hope so - they just hissed at each other again

I try to play peacemaker, and Axl's fang just glanced across the back of my hand. Feels warm now; I think he came close to drawing blood. *sigh*

I don't need this right now. What I need is another helping of saag paneer and rice. Or maybe a mini-bottle of Jaegermeister.

But at least Mali or Banjo or whatever the hell we name her is snuggling on the sofa instead of being cooped up in the bedroom all day. Kitties do need to explore and investigate, and since this is going to be her home for sure, it'll make me feel better when the hissing quota dwindles down to nothing.

And now the temperature's dropping outside again. This kitty is so lucky. She's our holiday miracle just as much as we are hers.

:hi:

[emilyg]

20. Try dabbing a tiny touch of your perfume on each tail. That way

they'll both smell the same. It's worked with mine at times.

[ThatsMyBarack]

21. These are kitteh stories I LIKE!

Thanks for sharing! :hi: :woohoo:

[Kat45]

22. Yay! I'm so glad you get to keep the little sweetie.

:bounce:

[JimWis]

23. I have two cats that let me live here in my home with them. One

needs to be trimmed twice a year - part Himalayan. When I bring him home from the grooming, later the same day - the two cats growl and spit at each other the rest of the day. They act like they don't know each other. Normally they get along great. They always get over it by the next day.

[BrklynLiberal]

24. That is wonderful news. I am thrilled they were able to come to a peace agreement.

:thumbsup: :hi:


And BTW- Where are the pics you promised??

[derby378]

29. ginbarn posted some pics of Banjo on Friday

My laptop's USB ports are busted, otherwise I'd share some more today. :hi:

[BrklynLiberal]

32. I am going to have to do a search for them. thanks.

[Arugula Latte]

26. I'm so glad!

:bounce:

I'm so glad you gave that precious baby a home and that it looks like it will work out.

P.S. She is beautiful.

[UrbScotty]

27. A very Merry Christmas indeed!

[ThomCat]

28. Please give my love to Ginbarn

and give the new kitty a hug for me. :loveya:

I'm glad it's working out. :)

[derby378]

30. I sure will. Thanks!

:hi:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

31. What a nice story for the holidays!

Congrats on the new addition!

[yellowdogintexas]

33. my three littermate kitties have remarkable dominance fights on a regular

basis. These 3 cats have never known life without each other and they still bicker. My older Siamese mix cat, they leave completely out of it.
Congratulations on the new baby.

[JitterbugPerfume]

34. there are some of the best people on earth

right here on DU ! Thanks for taking care of that little sweet kitty.

[stuntcat]

35. lucky Mali!

I missed the first thread of course, but this is a great story! There are so many little animals out there, some of them are lucky enough to cross paths with the good people O8)