Magnificent Moustaches

[Toddlerteaplease]

New thread for the inmates of Toddler Towers. Strange to think, it's about two completely different cats, from the original
Thread. But Magic, Maia and Cheddar will never be forgotten.

They've been sniffing each other and eating together. And sitting close to each other with no issues.

Hissing and swiping totally normal cat behaviour- my two do it occasionally, and they are 18 year old litter mates who have never spent a day or night apart! Just asserting boundaries

You're getting some rough treatment on this thread just now. So's you know, if there was any doubt, most of us regular "visitors" to Toddler Towers are cheering you on. Obviously the incumbent cat wants to be firm with the new arrival, but once the pecking order is clearly established you'll know for certain whether they get on. It sounds hopeful so far.

Pads was a lovely fellow but it just wasn't the right set-up for him. On the other hand, if Dottie has never had her own home it probably seems like heaven. Our Izzy had never had a home, and spent the first few weeks being ever so polite while she worked out the rules, what's safe, what's fun etc. Thrifty arrived at the same time but was clearly familiar with people's homes, and is also about twice Izzy's size, so she took over the incumbent role in a lazy, good-natured sort of way. Now it's evening out between them. Even after 9 months one may do something ever so slightly bad-tempered to the other, but nobody gets hurt or holds a grudge so it's not been a problem. They were snuggled next to each other by my feet when I went to sleep last night. So cute. (Thank goodness Izzy gave up eating feet.)

Thanks @Anniegetyourgun, it's very odd for the litter tray. I will never not act in Penelope's best interests. Dotty absolutely living her best life and is very happy and settled. I wouldn't have got another cat so soon. But I was fairly confident from what I was told of Dotty that it would be a good match..I'm happy from Penelope's behaviour that it's going well so far.

I agree @Anniegetyourgun, no one who is a Litter Tray regular would doubt for one minute that Toddler has the cats' best interests at heart. MN seems to be getting more unpleasant recently and I hope it's not spreading to the Litter Tray.

I think it's been more helpful to Pen in having another cat of the same size, the same sex and probably the same energy. Pads was the opposite in almost every single way.

It's lovely to hear Pen is moving about the house freely even with another kitty being there and I've got my fingers crossed for you all 💕

Don't think I put this pic of her at the vet yesterday!

Also behind you 100% Toddler. If you wasn’t doing the right thing by Pen, you wouldn’t have rehomed Pads knowing it would break your heart. Yes you’ve took a risk adding in another cat but look how settled she is already.

She's got a sue ulcer both times she's been alone. Which is odd.

I am a litter tray regular. I have also worked with cats for years. I don't doubt the OP wants it to work out but we are allowed to be concerned about cats here on the litter tray. The OP knew Penelope didn't like boys but still went ahead with getting one which cause a lot of stress to Penelope and the cat predictably had to be returned. The OP then got a new cat very quickly without giving Penelope time to settle. I really do hope it works out and they will then both have a good home, but as someone that loves cats and sees the consequences of ill thought out decisions about animals regularly, I can't help but feel the rescue and OP have not acted in the best interests of all 3 cats.

I thought a neutered soppy boy would be fine. What's your previous username @CaliforniaSunset, I don't recognise you?!

@Defiantlynot41 what was that you said about not being judged?!!

Well - I'm sure we can all agree that @Toddlerteaplease is in probably the top 1% of cat owners worldwide in terms of the love and attention she gives her lucky felines, so I'm not sure it's particularly helpful to quibble about past decisions.

It's great that poor little Dotty has a loving home at last. And Penelope seems fine really.

I am a litter tray regular. I have also worked with cats for years. I don't doubt the OP wants it to work out but we are allowed to be concerned about cats here on the litter tray. The OP knew Penelope didn't like boys but still went ahead with getting one which cause a lot of stress to Penelope and the cat predictably had to be returned. The OP then got a new cat very quickly without giving Penelope time to settle. I really do hope it works out and they will then both have a good home, but as someone that loves cats and sees the consequences of ill thought out decisions about animals regularly, I can't help but feel the rescue and OP have not acted in the best interests of all 3 cats.

I have to agree with all of this. Getting a boy when she knew her cat didn't like boys was not a sensible decision. After he was re homed OP knew that her cat needed time and said she would wait to get another but then has rushed into getting another cat very, very quickly.

I'm keeping everything crossed that it works out. They both deserve a lovely life and it's not their fault that breeders are shit, some rescues are irresponsible and that owners don't always make sensible decisions.

I think it should be discussed. Like the pp, I've had lots of involvement in rescue and see bad decisions impacting animals regularly.

Why does it need to be discussed on this thread, what's done is done. If you feel that strongly why don't you start a thread about rehoming cats? There seems to be a trend of judging and kicking posters on MN now. It's getting worse and unfortunately seems to be spreading to the Litter Tray.

Anyone bothering to read Toddler's posts can see how upset she was that it didn't work out with Pads. Dotty is a different nature to Pads and Penelope seems much happier with her. As I said before, Toddler will only do what she believes is in the best interests of her cats, in the same way as most of us on the Litter Tray.

You may have experience in rescue but it doesn't necessarily make you an expert. Many rescues aren't great, read the thread about the totally batshit reasons they won't rehome to people. That's what pushes people to Gumtree, Pets 4 Homes, breeders and less reputable rescues (I'm not calling the rescues used by Toddler less reputable BTW).

Why does it need to be discussed on this thread, what's done is done. If you feel that strongly why don't you start a thread about rehoming cats? There seems to be a trend of judging and kicking posters on MN now. It's getting worse and unfortunately seems to be spreading to the Litter Tray.

Anyone bothering to read Toddler's posts can see how upset she was that it didn't work out with Pads. Dotty is a different nature to Pads and Penelope seems much happier with her. As I said before, Toddler will only do what she believes is in the best interests of her cats, in the same way as most of us on the Litter Tray.

Why shouldn't it be discussed? People should see the impact of the bad decisions on animals. We're all animal lovers here. It's heartbreaking seeing a cat returned and it can their future even more uncertain.

She couldn't possibly have thought that getting a boy was in the best interests of a cat that didn't like boys. How could anyone think that?

The OP herself said that she was going to give her cat time now as she thought she needed that, but has then got another cat quickly. Posters can comment on that too because it doesn't seem to be in the cars best interest.

I'm not saying she wasn't upset, but I do wish humans would learn from past mistakes. Hopefully this will work out, but I feel it would have been tight for her cat to have more time after the stress she's been through. If another cat needs returning due to a rushed decision it will be more stress and upset.

Paddington was not a whole Tom. He was an a great big, friendly, neutered Teddy Bear. He wasn’t aggressive, just enthusiastic. Penelope has found her bearings again. And, how lovely that poor Dottie has found a home - for the first time in her life. If they are both purring in close proximity, I think this punt might be going well. I hope, (don’t want to jinx it). I think it is obvious that Penelope’s reaction is being continuously monitored, and her needs met. Whilst also hoping to introduce a furry friend in much need of a home.

I don't see why I have to justify anything to anyone on here. What o was actually told about Penelope was that "she's a lesbian, she loves girls" not that she hated boys. Hence why I thought a neutered soppy boy would be fine. Had he not wanted to play with her all the time, it probably would have been fine. We all make mistakes. It's worked out well for him. He's got a brother to play with.
I would not have taken Dotty if I I didn't think she was right for Penelope. She been here almost two weeks and it's going well.

Thank you. Penelope is bro g very closely monitored.

There is a phrase in Ireland connected to a Gaelic sport - hurling. ‘Hurler on the ditch’. Someone who is a bystander, holding forth with their opinions, advice, and instructions on how the players are going wrong, and how they’d be doing it so much better. Perfectly even. If only they were a player in that game.

Since when did the litter tray get so judgemental?

we know you love your cats @Toddlerteaplease - you would probably be wealthy by now if it was not for vet bills!

Except I'm involved in rescue and have been for 20 years so I do see this often. I also have cats, dogs, rabbits, as well as sheep and chickens all of which are rescue animals and have all ended up with me due to bad decisions from humans.
I'm hardly a bystander. I give up my time to volunteer and have taken on animals myself.

Sometimes things just don't work out despite it looking good on paper and other times it seems highly likely something wouldn't work out. I believe everything that can be done to minimise having it not work out, should be done, which includes only getting the sex of cat you have been told your cat likes and not rushing into things after something hasn't worked out when an animal has been through a stressful time. It seems some people don't want that said but tough. My priority is animal welfare.

I've come home to two happy and settled cats. Penelope is marching up and down. Loudly telling me she needs to be fed immediately.