Hi

[Catmusicfan]

New to the board. So I live with my hubby in a red county south of Pittsburgh. Forward/liberal thinker all my life. Hubby and I bought our first home and we decided to adopt two 1year old cat brothers (yes, they are brothers) Manhattan (Manny)and Brooklyn (Brooks) -named by the rescue center. We had gone to Petco to see what the process was to adopt the kittens they always have displayed. When we got there a rescue center had cats for adoption. Manny & Brooks in same cage they explained Brooks totally depended on Brooks and they didn't want to break them up because they had people interest in Manny not Brooks. Both my hubby and I felt for them we adopted them. Poor things have hid from us for the most part.

Brooks trembled when we touched him. They would hide a lot. At one point the center -I guess- worried we would return them said don't give them, especially Brooklyn to hide in. I found it disturbing and followed my gut. I let them hide I made sure their food& water just outside the master bedroom. I lay on the bed and when they came up I greeted them with their name, a slow blink and a bow of my head. Lay treats out so they come in which they then run back into hallway I was gaining ground slowly -VERY-slowly.

So yesterday back at Petco and the animal rescue is back with 2 cats. I had no desire to speak with them Hubby did & fell I. Love with a very loving 1Year old female Hubby knew I felt bad I couldn't touch them. Asked if I would look at this cat because someone suggested a third cat might help bridge the link between us and them. So I agreed. Mollie very loving and loves cuddling. They said Mollie lived with Manny & Brooks for a while I Feb. We brought her home had put her in a separate room to get her use to us. She wasn't having it Mollie came into our room and when the boys came up to eat she went to them. No hissing some chasing. Today with a bribe of chicken Manny let me let him for 5mins. This evening he laid on bedroom floor. Brooks came in and sat too.

Told this to give u an idea of who I am. Also any suggestions would be welcome ed.

[elleng]

1. Welcome. Good to hear.

I know nothing about cats, but there's a PET's group here, so try them out for advice.

[Catmusicfan]

8. Thanks. I will let look into that section

[luvMIdog]

2. welcome to DU :)

[Catmusicfan]

9. Thank you

[csziggy]

3. How wonderful you and your husband are to take in THREE adoptees!

It sounds as though you are making a lot of progress especially with the introduction of Mollie into your family.

There is a Pets Group here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1161

I'm sure people there would love to meet Manny, Brooks, and Mollie if you can get pictures to post. (How to post photos to DU) And people in that group have loads of experience in introducing new cats into a home.

Welcome to DU!

[Catmusicfan]

10. Thanks for the links I will post pics as soon as I am on my laptop

[Scarsdale]

40. Be patient.

My son had a mother cat, who constantly fought with her daughter when the young one grew up. He asked me to take the mother cat, until he could figure out a way to have them live in harmony. Momma took forever to get used to me. Finally, she ended up being my constant companion. We took naps together, and she learned to tolerate me!! It has to be on their terms. They will eventually get used to their new housemates. The person who feeds them is a friend!! Thank you for taking in three precious lives.

[The Wielding Truth]

4. Welcome! You know we love our cats here.

[Catmusicfan]

11. Cool. I see the laugh out loud toons.

[mrmpa]

5. Hi......

from a Pittsburgh dog owner & tolerant of those who have cats

[Catmusicfan]

12. Kind of a crazy area we live in isn't it.

[shenmue]

6. Thank u for adoptings!!!

Squee!!!

[Catmusicfan]

13. Least we can do.

[Maraya1969]

7. Welcome to DU. We are animals lovers here so you'll get on just fine!

[Catmusicfan]

14. Cool.

[Lyricalinklines]

15. Hi! Welcome and have fun with your new family members!

[Catmusicfan]

21. Thanks

[Lithos]

16. We used to do feral rescue

We ended up with several pairs like that. All I can tell you is it takes time, but it's so worth it. One pair, Harry and Grace were especially like yours. Harry was so dependent on Grace for everything. She took care of him. Took her about 4 years before she would let us pet her, him about 8 years. He now sits on my lap for 20 minutes at a time and lets me pick him up to the bed for pets and scritches. She passed a year back, but would sit on my chest every morning as a greeting.

Just time, love and patience. You let them set the pace.

L-

[Catmusicfan]

22. Thanks I have hope. Manny is letting pet him a little more.

right now some hissing between Manny and Mollie some chasing but nothing too major.

[femmocrat]

17. Welcome to DU, Catmusicfan!

Nice to meet a fellow Pennsylvanian.

Check out the Pennsylvania Forum sometime: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1074

[Catmusicfan]

18. Thanks. Will check in

[Wawannabe]

19. Welcome!

Cat allergy here but I can still view those funny vids without breaking out in hives!


I luv me some dogs! Rooby Roo!
Ruff

[Catmusicfan]

23. I understand...

Thanks !

[cwydro]

20. Welcome to DU!

I had two kitties who did the same thing. Both turned into love bugs and lived long lives.

[Catmusicfan]

24. Thanks. I think there are signs of hope.

[AllaN01Bear]

25. gives a big fat HOWDI and welcome

i used to have cats , dogs guinea pigs , canaries , gold fish and a duck.never had to take care of them as that was mums job. as others have recomended , you might want to check out the pets forum. welcome a board .

[Catmusicfan]

26. Thank you Kindly, Sir.

[Doreen]

27. Welcome to DU.

Animal lover here also. I have to cats. One a rescued stray who found me and made me rescue her and the other a shelter rescue to provide company for my girl when my ( her ) Chihuahua left.

[Catmusicfan]

35. Thanks

[bettyellen]

28. Welcome! I'd recommend looking into Jackson Galaxy's videos and books...

He hosts "My Cat From Hell" and has loads of strategic advice on how to create a happy home for multiple cats.
There are always territorial issues and he's really good at helping people sort them out. Definitely three litter boxes to start, and some nice high low and window areas to accommodate their many moods.

Best of luck!

[Catmusicfan]

29. oh yes, We are looking at Jackson's stuff.

Thanks

[bettyellen]

30. I love the "meat glove" LOL....

I thought you might be, becasue you seem to be handling it well. The interpersonal dynamics w critters is something to behold, isn't it? Sounds like you're doing well.

[Catmusicfan]

31. Thanks... I try. Manny is really coming out

We are seeing some hissing light chasing but nothing too major like My cat from Hell. We are slowly buying things Next big purchase will be some cat Trees. Basement has some nice windows with a back yard view.

[bettyellen]

32. I added a console to make a window seat that's shareable for my guys. The other thing that helped

tamp down the fighting was "running them out" with regular ten minute bouts of play before feeding. Well, the more aggressive one anyway! Also understanding the hunt eat clean sleep cycle they are on is super helpful. I know not to bother with toys when they're cleaning themselves to pre for a nap now.

[Catmusicfan]

33. I will need to look into that.

[bettyellen]

37. Basically their behavior is cyclical based on their life in the wild.

Hunt (play) eat it, clean off the blood and all so you can safely sleep without attracting predators, then sleep. Wake up and do it all over again. It's easier to just go with their cycle, especially when it comes to feeding to get them to sleep.

And play time worth you just helps run off that extra energy that might be used with too aggressive play with orher cats. And it's easier to get them to do it if it's not after a meal.

[TNNurse]

34. Give them some time.

They need to feel like you are going to let them stay.

[Catmusicfan]

36. you are right.

[The Polack MSgt]

38. I'm a dog person now - My wife is very allergic to cats

But I grew up with both. Good job rescuing those three

I'm originally from Washington County, so hello neighbor, I was closer to Wheeling than the 'Burgh

[byronius]

39. The fiercest, most feral cat I've ever rescued eventually gave in to the power of the brush.

Now she's eighteen, demands a full brush and massage every night. Still have to keep her isolated from the other cats -- she was such a monster all her life, the angriest, most violent cat I've ever dealt with, especially when she needed medication. (I had to wear welder's gloves.) She was a full feral with ear cancer at ten, and I had to trap her and her mother to save her life.

Ruthless and brutal, a true predator. I've always been mildly terrified of her, and it took years to overcome her incredible hostility. It was an amazing event to brush her the first time.

But now, when the brushes come out -- demanding meows followed by endless purrs. Absolute joy.

[Batship]

41. Hi!

Hi, catmusicfan! Welcome! (I'm new, too.)

Great story. Your cats sound wonderful.

[ailsagirl]

43. Hi Batship!

And welcome to DU!

[Catmusicfan]

44. Hi

[ailsagirl]

42. Welcome to DU, Catmusicfan

I'm so glad you did this-- they'll come around, don't worry

[Aristus]

45. Welcome!