Slow and Steady Wins the Race

It has been almost three weeks since Milky's surgery and things are similar to the way they were before. He still attacks Jabez when he walks by the gate, but I feel like something has shifted. I'm really hoping. Every day, for only a few moments I pick up Milky and bring him out on the other side of his gate when Jabez is nearby. I let them smell each other and so far no attacks or hissing has happened. I pet them both and then Milky is too nervous and he goes back into his room.

Yesterday, I opened the bottom gate so they could eat next to each other. Milky Way became nervous and hid under the bed and Jabez marched right into his room and started to eat his crunchies. Jabez is seriously food motivated. Milky dared to poke his head out from under the bed to sniff Jabez's tail, but Jabez hissed at him. I went in and escorted Jabez out. So, at least there have been no direct cat-on-cat attacks since the surgery.

My sister said her neighbor across the street moved away on Saturday, abandoning their six month old kitten. What the heck? He is not neutered, so that is doubly irresponsible. Plus we're just starting to get into cooler weather. She said that someone else left two adult cats. I feel so sorry for adult cats that get left. People seem to think cats don't have feelings. THEY DO!! It took Jabez at least a year to be comfortable in our home and accept us as his new family - even though we let him outside and give him everything he needs, including lots of pets and snuggles.

If Milky can NOT attack Jabez, maybe we can take the kitten. We'll see. Columbus/Indigenous People's weekend is really the best time to do it. That's this coming weekend. It is probably too soon. Sigh.