Savannah's Paw Tracks

A Real Rescue Human Is Talking: Monday Meowsie News

HIYA!! SAVANNAH HERE!!!

I am actually here today to introduce Mom L again. She wanted to give an update on The Kid Sage and me (as though anyone is interested!) and how we are progressing in managing how we share a home together.

Snoozing while Mom L talks away about me

So as you can see, I am taking this opportunity to get a much deserved break from writing this blog post…take it away Mom L!

Thank you Savannah.  First let me clarify the title of this post.  I believe that Savannah coming into my life saved me, literally, from a retirement spent in boredom and complete loss of any way to exercise my need for a creative outlet.  My consulting business gave that to me for over 30 years.  I am indeed a “Real Rescue Human”.  More on that topic in later posts this year…stay tuned.

I hope Savvy’s readers won’t mind me stepping in to share some of the recent progress the two girls have made  in learning to accept each other.

As most of you know, The Kid Sage arrived November 1, 2013 and we had to keep them separate for almost four  months due to many reasons. One of those reasons was a long absence on our part in January and February 2014 for a long planned trip to South America.  You can read about their progress up through June 2014 by clicking HERE.

I asked Savvy to allow me this post to share some truly wonderful happening between our two girls…and one not very ‘happy making’…but I digress…

I have some photo proof of the following interactions, but not for all…just remember how timid Savannah is/was and how The Kid Sage has tried to establish ‘top cat’ position…Savvy running from her etc…

• Nana had already ‘won’ the dominant cat struggle about 3 weeks before we ever realized it. We suddenly noticed that when Nana would turn to leave the room and Sage would dash to follow…Nana stopped, turned and hissed and growled…she was standing her ground. We realized that Savvy had not been UTB for a month!!
• Sage used to jump up on the bed in our shared morning routine, and give her teeny hiss and raise a paw over Nana…Sage no longer ever does this…she does tippy paws on the very edge of the bed to give Nana room and to avoid her hisses and growls
• Savvy became less and less vocal when Sage jumped on the bed to get her morning brushies from me; Savvy had already had hers
• Our morning routine now includes treats for both girls and Sage ALWAYS does the search for where I have stashed them! Truly a die hard food hog that girl LOL
• Savannah began to walk normally across the living room from her bed on the floor to go to the litter box, get a drink or search for a snack.
• Miracle of all miracles…they are now mostly eating both their AM and PM meals together in the little breakfast nook we use as a “Cat Feeding Station”…and often we can also dispense their AM and afternoon snacks of kibble together as well.
• Nana will get up and invite me to play with her even with Sage on the couch, or anywhere for that matter…and Sage never tries to interfere though we know should would love to play with Savvy.
• We have always been able to play with Sage and Savvy never cared so that is still good
• We never separate them during the day unless Nana needs a rest or break so she can play or eat because she is still watching Sage and leery…but less and less everyday.
• We still separate them at night…Peter sleeps with Sage and I sleep with Nana…yes…separate bedrooms but that is about to change…our pet sitter left both girls out for two nights a couple of weeks ago when we were gone…no fur was shed!! So we are ready to start leaving them both out all day…and see what happens.

Now the part that is still hearbreaking…

• Sage is clearly lonely…she desperately wants Nana to play with her; allow her to snuggle with her…it is so precious to watch Sage trying to convince Nana that she, Sage, will be good if only Nana will love her.

And the change that surprised us, actually shocked us, over the last 3 weeks…

• Savvy, for absolutely NO reason, attacked Sage on the bed during our regular morning routine; then she followed by doing it again in the living room…Sage has been shocked and very afraid.  We suspect Savvy is now trying out her ‘top cat’ power…crossing paws this phase passes.

And now some photos…hope you have enjoyed learning about how our girls are progressing…we have day after day now that is absolutely normal and we are loving it.  We have never had a cat as timid, afraid etc. as Savannah so this has been such new, but much needed, learning on our part.

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And so it ended…Savvy is not yet ready for any “touching” from Sage…but Savvy has been admiring my lap at night…heh…heh.  The Kid Sage is slowly, slowly helping Nana learn what it means to be loved by humans and what she can do to finally show her own cat curiosity.

We are so happy we brought The Kid Sage into all our lives.

Human hugs, Mom L