Tag Archives: Walter

Walter (Approximately 2012 – 2024)

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Walter was a gorgeous silver porch cat. I don’t remember when we began noticing him — at first we thought we had one gray cat on the porch until we saw all three at once, and then we realized we had three gray cats. Walter was mild-mannered and silver in color. After several years, he disappeared, and I went looking for him and found him taking refuge in a neighbor’s shed. I tucked him in a carrier and brought him home and put him in the non-conflict wing of the house, where he cried at the window for months. He had been neutered several years before and kept current on his vaccinations (crying loudly in the carrier the whole time on his vet visits). After several months in the non-conflict wing, he settled down and began to enjoy indoor life. He was the perfect gentleman, and he did enjoy being petted.

Nobody has to live in the non-conflict wing, and, eventually, Walter decided he wanted to live in the main part of the house. He had lived there happily for several years. He would frequently snuggle next to me when I was reading before bed, but when I turned the light out to go to sleep, he would leave for other parts of the house for the night.

Last month, he had his annual visit to Dr. Val, and other than having lost the sight in one eye to injury, he was given a clean bill of health. Lat week, I noticed he’d been losing weight and began to look pretty rough, so he earned another trip to see Dr. Val, and he was hospitalized with some troubling bloodwork. While he was a wonderful patient, his health did not respond to treatment, and on the third day, he took a turn for the worse, and we agreed euthanization would be the best treatment to prevent further suffering.

From his outside days back in 2018:

 

His Regal Highness back in May:

 

Walter was frequently a great comfort to me, and he will be missed.

Cats: Foster Kitten Progress

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The foster kittens are doing well. I was concerned about Josephine (she was hanging back when I opened the crate and not coming forward to greet me like the other three), so I arranged for Milam Touch of Love’s main foster team to work with her for a few weeks prior to her spay appointment on October 23.

Josephine is dealing with a lot of adjustment to the new environment and has been less amenable than I thought she would be to the changes. It’s only been three days, so we’re being patient. She’s lost her siblings, moved to a new home, is learning to deal with different people and animals, and it’s lot for a young kitten to do. She may have bonded with me more than I thought she had, though.

Kate and Tartoo bound to the front of the crate when I open it. They get lots of attention. Tartoo just cuddled in my arms for quite a long time this morning. Maybe he’ll be a lapcat. Ghost is not far behind in extending greetings when I open the crate.

Since turning them loose in the dining room to play results in troubles recapturing them, I’ve fallen back to closing them in the bathroom with me and Walter to evaluate their development. Kate was the first to experience this. She was most interested in exploring. She was hesitant with the new-to-her cat toys. She was wary of Walter but interacted a little with his paw when he stuck it out of the lower cat tower house. She was not anxious to be caught, but since it’s a confined space, I was able to corner her and catch her.

Tartoo was next on the experience. He actively engaged with the toys and exploring the room. He and Walter weren’t interested in each other. When the time came for me to pick Tartoo up, I had to sort of corner him, but he just hunkered down and allowed me to pick him up.

Ghost got a very brief session this morning, and what was most notable was her reaction to Walter. She hissed and wanted nothing to do with him.

Finally, Gracie is still here. She still has no interest in interacting with me, but I frequently find her at the front of her crate watching. I suspect the household cats are interacting with her to some degree. If all goes well, her barn sanctuary reservation is on October 15. I know she’s ready to be able to move freely again, but she’s been a perfect houseguest.

Cats: Rossie

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Rossie has been living in the downstairs bathroom since we returned from Pennsylvania back in October. We started with Rossie, Sapphire, and Daisy in there, but Sapphire and Daisy regressed, so we returned them to the household population, where they are active and visible.

About the time we put Sapphire and Daisy back in the main part of the house, I brought Walter into the house. He was being bullied by the outside cats and had removed himself from the yard. Walter doesn’t like confrontation, so I thought he might be a good companion for Rossie. He and Rossie get along very well.

Over the last six months, Walter has adjusted to being in the house, and Rossie is thriving. She’s acting like a cat again. I once longed for the day when she would seek out my attention, and she does that regularly. I wouldn’t call her cuddly yet, but she comes within arm’s reach and leans into a chin scratch.

A few months ago, I began leaving the bathroom door open to allow Rossie and Walter the opportunity to go into the dining room while I was in the room to supervise. This served three purposes. First, it increased their range beyond the bathoom, giving them a change of scenery — Rossie loves to sit in the dining room windows, even though she has a bathroom window she can look out.

Second, Sneaky gets some feline companionship. She knew Walter when they were both outside, and she’s either Rossie’s mama or her aunt. We don’t know which.

Finally, it allows us to assess Rossie’s socialization progress. For the longet time, Rossie would only allow us to touch her in the bathroom. Yesterday, she approached Mr. L for an ear rub in the dining room.

We’re pleased with Rossie’s progress.

 

Cats: Rossie and Walter

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Once again, Rossie is thriving. I’m starting to realize that in the past, when we thought Rossie was doing well, we re-introduced her into the household too soon for her level of readiness. This week, Rossie tentatively began reaching out to us for attention. She is spending more and more time out of her box and on the cat tower. She is allowing Walter to lean against her. She also is staying on the tower when we enter the room. If she doesn’t stay on the tower, she moves to a different level and seeks our attention.

Walter takes all this in stride and is thriving in his role as “Friend of Rossie.” Both cats love kitty treats.

Cats: Rossie Update

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Rossie has been sequestered in the downstairs bathroom since we returned from our trip to Pennsylvania in October. We started out with Daisy and Sapphire in with her, but Sapphire was removed fairly quickly. I put the three of them in there to try to help socialize them, but Sapphire … Continue reading →

Cats: Walter One Month Update

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Walter has been in the house for a month now. He is doing great. He’s such an affectionate cat. He’s still in the downstairs bathroom with Rossie. Walter’s job, should he choose to accept it, is to be Rossie’s friend. Of course, Rossie has some say in this, too. Two … Continue reading →

Cats: Walter Update

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On Wednesday, I paid Walter a visit. It took awhile to coax him out of his hiding place, but he came out. I interacted with him. He was happy to be petted. I picked him up twice, but he was having none of being carried back to the house. By … Continue reading →