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cat question help

4 replies

Notnowjo · 25/02/2021 00:12

I'll try and keep this brief, we got new next door neighbours 18 months ago, they have a cat (age 8 then) who started coming over and basically after a few weeks never left. He clearly liked being at our house it was quiet during the day, he would sleep on one side then about lunchtime get up and move to the other side. My kids came home from school and then gave him a bit of love and attention until he got fed up and went back to sleep. He would come and go as he choose but gradually got to the point where he was spending all day with us, would go home for dinner then come back after a prowl to sleep on my sons bed. For the last 6 months or so I think he's barely been home!
We never fed him but he had water here for a hot day

NDN have moved and obviously taken their cat (we did offer to adopt him) but naturally they weren't keen. It became clear to us though over the last couple of weeks that they have no idea how much the cat basically moved in with us.

We're all feeling very sad but what is worrying me particularly is that I'm sure one of the reasons he came to ours so much is that they got a dog (lovely but very bouncy) and he just hates the dog. The last morning NDN left the dog outside our window where it whined and whined and the poor cat was just cowering in a corner and wouldn't come out until my son sat with him between him and the front door.

So cat people please reassure me that the cat will be OK and get used to the dog!

We've never had a cat so I don't know but would really like to be able to tell the kids that cat will be OK.

I know this is an insane thing to be upset about with everything else going on in the world.......

OP posts:
ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 25/02/2021 00:34

I'm sure he will be fine. I have a visiting cat who I first thought was a stray, he seemed so desperate to move in, but it turned out his owners had got a new puppy and he just wanted some occasional peace and quiet (and our cat's food and toys). His owner sent me photos of him lounging around at home with the puppy!

Are you going to rehome a cat properly now then? I think you should.

Notnowjo · 25/02/2021 00:51

Thanks viper I've suggested it to the kids but they're not keen, don't want to leave him behind when they grow up!

He only left at the weekend so I will suggest it again in a wee while we're aware though that we are hoping to move internationally as soon as poss just everything is on hold due to covid.

OP posts:
StressedTired · 25/02/2021 01:12

Your neighbours probably imagined their cat was off out having all sorts of exciting adventures when the lazy little thing was asleep next door all the time!
Order yourself a copy of the book, The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide. It's a great book! About a cat who spends a lot of time in a couple's home and they come to think of it as theirs. Someone got it for me after a similar experience.
The cat and dog will be fine together, don't worry. But definitely look into rehoming another, you obviously have a nice cat-welcoming home Smile

StressedTired · 25/02/2021 01:14

Ah, just saw you are moving overseas so perhaps don't get another. But do read the book!

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