Cats!

Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 by Travis Cody in
28

For those of you who haven't met him yet, this is Mr Tucker. He is a 10 year old, 20lbs, very sweet, indoor domestic shorthair. And he hasn't had a peaceful moment like this photograph in a month.

See, Mr Tucker is not confrontational. He's a spook, which means that he doesn't like strange noises or intense activity or serious change of any kind. He gets himself all worked up when we pack for a trip. He hides under the covers. And if he has to get in the carrier, he pukes within 5 minutes of leaving the house.

He's still a sweet old guy though. He's just particular and set in his ways...and spooky.

But he wants to be sociable with the houseguests, and things have been going well. Until yesterday.

This guy, Mr Bailey, can be a bit of a punk. He's a 3 year old indoor/outdoor country gentleman. He is also set in his ways, and in his defence he has been cooped up inside my place for the last month. He's had access to the balcony, but he hasn't killed anything in awhile. He's a first rate hunter, and I'm sure he just got a little stir crazy.

So my poor guy has been doing his best to be friends, and every time he gets close he gets a swat from Mr Bailey. Well, yesterday it looks like things came to a head. I walked in the door and the fur was still flying in the hallway. I don't know who started it, but Mr Tucker has established his dominance.

Last night anytime Mr Bailey came out of the bedroom, Mr Tucker hissed and spat and growled and howled. He was one pissed off spook! I think Mr Bailey got the message.

Mr Tucker has a few sore spots, so I'm not entirely certain whether he got the best of the disagreement. But at least Mr Bailey understands that there are consequences if you keep irritating the 20lbs Cat of the House.

This poor guy didn't know what to do. Mr Newby is usually a happy-go-lucky guy and gets along very well with Mr Tucker. But I found some gray fur in the mix, so I'm thinking Mr Tucker just took it out on both little guys.

Since I can't stay home to referee, I'm going to put the little guys in our bedroom for the day and leave Mr Tucker with the run of the house. Hopefully the spat will blow over soon. The folks won't be back until the end of February!

I wasn't able to get around to blogs tonight, partly because of keeping an eye on these guys. So I'll catch up soon.

Update: After some initial fussing at bedtime last night, all kitties settled down and we woke with all three in the bed. They have been very solicitous of each other this morning. Since Pam will be home most of the morning, we've decided not to segregate them and see how they do. Cross your fingers.

28 comments:

  1. Wow, that brings back memories! At one time, we had five little kitties - partially due to a particularly awful stepdad that threatened to harm my stepson's cat, so of course, we agreed he could have a forever home with us!
    I brought three kitties into the marrige, one of which was 18. She lived to be 22 years old. She loved sitting on the front fender watching my hubman work on his car...
    When the last little guy found his home with us, we had an outbreak of spraying (all neutured, by the way!) because of the rivalry.
    With cats, there's never a dull moment! I especially have fond memories of stepping in warm cat yak. Hmmmmm, fun!

  1. Yowzers...

    Mr Tucker will appreciate having the run of the house today I am sure...

  1. DrillerAA says:

    Our next door neighbors have a "country gentleman", well actually he's more of a "crocidile hunter", cat. He won't stay in the house and even though he has been declawed, he climbs, hunts, and kills pretty much anything he wants. He is a hoot to watch, and I'm not a cat lover.

  1. Schmoop says:

    Cats Rule!! Mr. Newby looks very similar to my Corky. Cheers Trav!!

  1. It was bound to happen at some point, Trav. Close quarters, abnormal routine. Heck, even families who get along normally would flare up at times like this. It'll work out. Just be sure to give them all attention.

  1. awww, mr tucker rules!!! ha ha ha

    smiles, bee

  1. Jay says:

    Oh goodness, I do hope they've made up.

  1. Awwwwwwww. Sweet, vicious kitties. I'm sure they'll adjust to one another.

  1. Linda says:

    Dang, and here I thought it was tough having two teenage girls in the house at times!

    Mr. Bailey just probably got on Mr. Tucker's last cat nerve and Mr. Tucker decided to lay down the law. Can't say that I blame him! A gentleman can only take so much in his own home!

  1. Nothin' like a good ol' cat fight! They'll work it out.

  1. cathy says:

    I might have to draw the lina at cats:)

  1. Meribah says:

    Me thinks Mr. Tucker would get along well with my cat, Smoo. He is a very laid-back (read: lazy) cat, who's favorite activities are eating and sleeping. Consequently, there is quite a bit of him to love...not as much as Mr. Tucker though! :D
    Glad the three kitties are getting along now.

  1. Gracie: Five seems like a few too many. Right now three is a few too many. But at least they didn't have another spat today. I'm hoping Mr Tucker is around for a long time. At ten, he'd be pretty old for an outdoor guy. But since he's an indoor kitty I'm thinking he's much safer.

    Mags: He seems much better today. His tail is up and his eyes are bright.

    Drilleraa: I enjoy watching the two little guys in their own environment. They are funny.

    Matt: I love cats!

    Songbird: Yeah. I'm expecting at least one more spat before the folks get back at the end of Feb.

    Bee: He's The Cat. I'm glad he finally stood up for himself.

    Jay: They seem much more agreeable this evening.

    Lana: I'm sure Mr Tucker will be very happy when the houseguests go home.

    Linda: Too true! At some point he just had to stand up and put those boys in their place.

    Misty: They seem to have called a truce.

    Cathy: Maybe draw the line at 2 cats.

    Meri: I'm real careful with his food intake too. He just doesn't get enough exercise.

  1. Unknown says:

    I find it fascinating that all of your cats' names are Mr.

  1. I wouldn't want to piss of Mr. Tucker. You know what they say about those quiet ones.

  1. RW says:

    The one thing that impress me about cats is they cover up there dodo, I seen one at work today out doing it's business in the snow then it made a nice little igloo lol. Your posted Trav.

  1. Jeff B says:

    We have one two year old cat and three five month old kittens. The adult cat thought the little ones were the spawn of satan at first, but after about a month they all started getting along great and now play together all the time.

  1. I've never been a fan of cats (long story) but your cats do seem to be pretty interesting :)

  1. Lesson: you can't ignore the 20 pound cat in the room.

  1. Dana: That's cause they are all boys. **wink**

    John: You are so right.

    Roger: LOL! My three guys not only cover up, they landscape!

    Jeff: I think Mr Bailey and Mr Tucker have these troubles because Mr Tucker is an only and Mr Bailey is the alpha at his house.

    Terra: There's never a dull moment with these guys.

    Charles: Well said.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    You should introduce a lady to the boys! The boys won't stand a chance!

  1. TopChamp says:

    they're so cute!!!!!!!! I have a new pupil who loves cats. She is very young (I advised her parents against starting so soon but she had asked santa for a trumpet and he had already got one). She starts EVERY lesson with 'Where's Dixie'? To which I reply 'I don't know.... perhaps he will come out if we play the trumpet for a bit...' And THEN we do some work. Briefly. It's hard work x

  1. Akelamalu: Now there's a thought!

    TC: That's a nice incentive. Hopefully being so young won't be too much of a problem with her learning.

  1. Cheesy says:

    My two lil' men are going a tad stir crazy too.. All this snow freaks them out but they have been troopers and braving the wet white stuff. It's too funny when they come TEARING in the kitty door all wild eyed and fluffed out beause a huge chunk of snow has fallen out of a tree or off the roof. I can't help but giggle at them.

  1. Lisa Ryan says:

    maybe they have aired their grievances and are done now! and Mr. Tucker is in charge.
    you are a good son to take two kitties into your home for over a month!

  1. Julie says:

    Aww poor Mr. Tucker! It's hard to know what to do when animals don't get along. At least with people you can talk...ummm sometimes.

  1. wolfbaby says:

    hope the kitties work it ou!!!