Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Could this be Joey Tribiani?

So here's the story... Denis has a coworker who is into the whole cat rescue thing. She has so many cats that she won't tell us how many she has so we won't think she's crazy. Anyway, she heard about this kitten who was wild, out in the country with his cat family. A friend of her's captured a lot of them to have them spayed and neutered. So this little guy was going to be returned to his wild setting, except he decided that he didn't want to be wild anymore. Denis' coworker is looking for a home for him so that he won't wind up as "cougar bait". They are out of options as her usual contact don't have room for him. She told Denis about him and asked if we would take him.

I heard about this over the weekend while I was on my way to Portland. I said, "I don't want another cat!" I wasn't really keen on upsetting the happy little duo that we have in our household. Phoebe and Monica have been so great and easy because they have just always been together. There are no fights for dominance, they already have it worked out. (Monica is the boss, in case you're curious...) I have never done a kitten before. I don't know how they will react, how to go about introducing them, reinforce litter box training, etc, etc.

I got home from the weekend and much to my surprise, Denis was really interested in taking the kitten. So we brought him home for a "trial run" on Monday afternoon. He spent most of that evening in the carrier we set up for him. The first introduction didn't go over too well. Today, we have let him out about half of the day. And there seems to be some improvement in relations. Phoebe definitely does NOT like him - she hisses and growls at him and cuts a wide path around him. Monica seems curious, but her response to his advances varies. She has sniffed him, ignored him and hissed at him.

Any hints or experiences would be welcomed. He's really cute and at this point, I think Denis is pretty smitten. I'm pretty sure he's staying unless Phoebe continues to be this distraught by his presence. She seems to be mellowing a bit about it though.

We're calling him Joey - we liked that better than Chandler or Ross.

11 comments:

Kate (Pablo's mum) said...

He is ADORABLE! And I like that you've embraced the Friends theme... although I would've gone for Chandler, just for the novelty value. Joey is probably a better name in the long run, though. Much cuter. And he's a cute guy! Good luck!

Nixter said...

I love him and his name, how cute.. I hope Monica and Phoebe settle in to having another man around the house. Keep us posted!

Mr.G said...

I swear he isn't mine!

T said...

remember millie..... she would wait till that little gray cat I got was asleep then wham attack it, she tryed to kill that little thing more than once .... I think your cats are doing great!

T said...

now your gonna see that boys are different from girls......LOL!!! ;)

Rachel said...

What a cutie! I think your other 2 cats will adjust to their new baby brother. I LOVE the name! Dave and I have talked about naming our next dog Joey...funny!

joeks said...

Joey looks like a sweetheart!
I think Phoebe and Monica will accept him--just give them a little time.

AMG said...

Oh I think he'll stay. He is handling things very well! Plus, Phoebe and Monica haven't just flat out tried to hurt him, it's just maneuvering at this point. It will be fun to watch the posts from now on. I love all the kitty comments over on their webpage. It's kind of the same response as Monica and Phoebe--either they think he's cute or they are repelled. It's an interesting string! I love it!

judi/Gmj said...

Jeeze!! You two are so funny!! I have no answer, been too long since we had a cat, they are the ones that meow arn't they? :)

Priscilla said...

He is cute! I have a friends with a dog named Joey.

Martha said...

I missed this one the other day. He sure is a cute little guy and he does have a rather nice name. I think that as long as no one decides to show their annoyance by pooping or peeing around the house everything should settle down and be fine.

We have three cats and the most intolerant is the mother of another one. Bo is downright nasty to Little Cat (her daughter) but pretty much ignores Oreo.