Whirling Dervishes
I took this photo just before I fell asleep last night. I was so surprised to see Grayson and Whitey actually touching. I thought it was a miracle, at last. But, not so much.
Yesterday, one of the cat bloggers asked if I still look at Whitey and am amazed at how well they all get along. Yes. I truly am amazed. However, while the 3 boys get along much better than I ever dared to hope, all is not idyllic. You see, Whitey loves Gandalf. Whitey grooms Gandalf constantly. I’m surprised that Gandalf does not have a bald head by now. He will allow Whitey to groom him for a few minutes, then tires of it and simply meows and takes his paw and firmly tells Whitey “That will be all, thank you”.
But Whitey and Grayson? Well, they are another story. Grayson and Whitey frequently have at it with that gawd-awful, scary-sounding male cat growling and multiple whapping at lightning speed. Before Whitey, I had never heard Grayson growl.
Just hours after this photo was taken I awoke to the shrieking and hissing and whirling fur ball of these two at it again. No blood was shed but many furs were thrown from the single ball of fur which was Grayson and Whitey. This is still a fairly common occurance, although my parents tell me they mostly get along fine when I’m not home. Of course, they mostly sleep during the day! I’ve cautioned my parents not to interfere if they fight when I’m not home because Whitey has bit me once. Quite a nasty bite, in fact. I had the misfortune of being in the middle of a disagreement between Whitey and Feather not long after I got Whitey. When I picked Feather up, Whitey sunk all 4 fangs into my leg. SUNK. Serious puncture wounds.
Also, since Whitey came to live with us, Gandalf has taken to sleeping out in the garage frequently. Whitey has taken Gandalf’s place on the bed. Next to Grayson and me.
So. That’s where we are after 3 months of cohabitating. It’s still shaking itself out. It’s much better than it was, but hopefully not as good as it will be one day. Would I rescue Whitey again knowing how it has upset the balance of Gandalf and Grayson? Yes! He’s adorable. Despite that one bite, Whitey is the sweetest kitty. He purrs almost constantly. He started playing a few months ago. He loves his mousies. He deserves a loving home. He just needs more time to feel safe.
Aawww, cute. Hope all 3 boyz will one day be bestest of friends. Big hugs from rainy Mayberry…
Sandy B
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I’m hoping that one day they will all be sleeping with you. Just saying. Hugs and scritches.
Comedy Plus
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Awwww ~ I’m sure in the fullness of time it will all settle down. And I agree, Whitey deserved a loving home like yours.
Milo and Alfie scrap sometimes ~ Milo is always the instigator because Alfie is the dearest, sweetest, gentlest little furball. Alfie has NEVER scratched or bitten me once ~ or attacked Milo. But sometimes Milo gets a strop on him ~ and he picks a fight for no good reason than he feels like it. Sometimes I intervene (but never with a body part ~ I leant that lesson the hard way) ~ I use a water spray bottle and give a quick squirt. It works straight away and Milo slinks off to sulk; he hates water.
Then Alfie runs to me for me to pick him up and reassure him. He’s still very kittenish for his age (one in September 2009).
Author
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 2:12 pm
We hope it all works out. We hate it when a kitty gives up his place to the new comer. Angel and Kirby get into it a lot. i have started hissing at them and telling them ‘enough’ and they will leave off!
Angel, Kirby, and Nan
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Huffle and poo-face Salvador never ever got along, but after a few months of me telling Salvador off whenever he took a swipe at Huffle, he stopped attacking her and just mostly ignored her (unless he thought I wasn’t looking). But he did settle down eventually. It just took a while.
Tracey
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I had two black and one tuxie (birth) brothers. They would sleep together peacefully, then the next minute the screaming ,hissing and growling would start, and great chunks of fur would fly, so it does happen amongst siblings, not just when another cat has been introduced. Mostly they got on well though.
Eric and Flynn
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:29 pm
On the plus side, like you said Whitey gets along well with Gandalf; I can only imagine how bad it would be if all three of them had issues! Yow! Hopefully it won’t be too long before Grayson and Whitey come to terms and accept the fact that they are going to be living together regardless of their furball-fighting antics!
Linda
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:48 pm
My sister (vet) suggested a water spray bottle for fights and don’t let them see you doing it…Michelle
ramblingwoods
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 1:31 am
Do you know anyone that has three boys at home? Ask them how often the boys fight! It happens with human kids and it happens with kitty kids! Whitey probably only panicked. He lost control of himself. He just didn’t know if your touch was a threat or a rescue.
Went to an emergency walk in about 5 mos. ago after being bitten (after which the biter jumped in my lap and cuddled me and purred). I keep trigger type sprayers in every room. You can get very lovely decorative ones in gift shops. Haven’t needed them though.
We ADORE Whitey. If he ever needs a home…….
Kari
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 8:11 am
You know how much Cory and I LOVE Whitey! Just love him. We have lived with our Nigel now for 9 months and he’s still settling in. Every month it gets better, but it’s a slow process of him being able to trust again. He too has taken over a prime spot on the bed and rubs his head into our hands really hard, like he can’t get enough. There are still grumblies between the kitties but he wants to be accepted, mostly by Ellie, but she’s making him take it slow. It’s so worth it to take in these love bugs that have been through so much.
Big hugs to Whitey.
Lori and Cory
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 10:36 pm