Shedded bliss for Jaffa and Chuck ...
08 September 2015
One of Cats Protection’s stalwart supporters, Ann Kirby of Wood End, has sent us a story to share about how her own CP cat – ginger Jaffa – bonded brilliantly with the new CP tabby boy who came to live next door.
Now this doesn’t always happen, and usually lots of ‘strategies’ have to be employed to help cats get along or at least tolerate each other. Tips on getting cats to get along can be picked up via this link – (Understanding Feline Origins) - http://learnonline.cats.org.uk/content/ufo
But here is Ann’s story, which should give hope to us all – and especially adopters of one new cat or kitten into a household where a long-resident boy or girl already rules the roost.
“Jaffa was two in November 2013 when Chuck, then a kitten, was adopted by my neighbours, Julie and Dave. Their only link is that they were both rescued by North Birmingham Cats Protection and came here by car – chauffeured by CP fostering lead and all-round-kind-cat-woman Jenny Reynolds. It was agreed by all that they would perhaps have some initial disagreement and settle things in the time-honoured way that cats do. What we didn’t expect was that they would bond the first time they met – this is amazing! And now these chums have had a cat-chat and decided they have two homes, coming and going as they please and using all facilities provided by the ‘staff’. Jaffa has been seen grooming Chuck and they are the closest of companions, Chuck often coming to our house to share Jaffa’s breakfast/lunch/dinner/tea/supper and vice versa.
“I’ve now created special day care for them; opening the garden shed door in the mornings and leaving it open all day (unless the weather is really grim). There are two padded garden chair cushions laid on an old garden table and they can often be seen cuddled up and fast asleep. The picture says it all.”
And the Dad of cheeky Chuck next door, David, can confirm how he and wife Julie feel too about the folks - and cat - next door.
“We were lucky enough to adopt Chuck after contacting CP as recommended by our lovely neighbour Ann who had already adopted Jaffa. Any worries we had about the cats being territorial and not getting along were soon put to rest. Jaffa took ‘our’ kitten under his paw and became his mentor, showing him all the crafty tricks of being a cat. Both are happy to wander around their ‘joint’ homes - and of course the meeting-up-shed - and use each others’ servants/staff as required!
“We’d like to thank CP and especially Jenny Reynolds for introducing Chuck into our lives. It’s wedded bliss for me and Julie, and shedded bliss for Jaffa and Chuck!”
** CP note: Cats don’t always get along so well – but thanks for letting us know just how well these two do. Maybe it helps that they do, of course, have different addresses and difference owners. (Or again, should that be staff?)