Friday, April 07, 2006
Scared Kitty
It's my fault Mattingly hasn't updated lately. I have been extremely busy, and he's not allowed to use the computer by himself anymore after an incident with a missing "tab" key. I have the pictures to prove he took it, but I will let him talk about that in another post. At the moment my husband and I are preparing to go away for a week. It's the first time we will both be away for more than a night since we found Mattingly last summer. Since he is such a social kitty, I opted to have him stay at a friend's house while we were gone instead of just having someone stop by twice a day to feed him and clean the litter box. I didn't want him to be basically alone for 7 days. But now I'm not so sure. He is so attached to us. I dropped him off at my friend's house this morning. It is a clean quiet place with no other animals, and I absolutely trust her to take excellent care of him. But he was so scared and it's breaking my heart. He was hiding when I left, and wouldn't even make eye contact with me... he was just staring into space. I brought his favorite toys, his scratcher, and one of my slippers (he LOVES my slippers) and we scattered them around the apartment. I showed him where is food and water was and he sniffed out the area, then I showed him where his litterbox is, and he sniffed that as well. Then he went into hiding and wouldn't look at me. I'm feeling dreadfully guilty and concerned that I didn't do the right thing. I'm hoping I'll feel better about it later when I've called this evening for an update. I know he will be fed and loved and kept healthy. I just hope he's happy and can forgive us when we get home. Have any of you had any experiences like this? Is there something I could have done to make it easier? If you have any advice to share, I will gladly accept it. And in return I promise Mattingly will write lots of posts when we are all reunited at home again. Thanks at least for reading while I poured my heart out.
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13 comments:
I'm sure that Mattingly will be just fine in a day, after having checked out his new surroundings. I'm sure he's a little freaked by all the new smells and sounds, but this is normal. The only thing you can do is let him adjust in his own time. He has some favorite and familiar things with him, so he will be fine. Just think, in a week he'll be back home and you'll be back home with him. Don't worry too much, enjoy your holiday.
I have had the same anxiety in the past. It is just the change in surroundings that are freaking him out. I am sure he will get used it and enjoy himself. I am sure he will miss you, but he will be just fine!!
Cats do not like change but as long as you're sure he'll be well cared for in your absence, don't worry. Upon your return, he may take a while to readjust to home and his normal routine, but let him do it at his own speed. Eventually he'll be fine. Just a suggestion, next time you go away, have the caretaker come to your house so Mattingly can meet her and maybe take him there for a short visit before the long one.
Crew's Mom
He'll be fine, even if he hides for the whole week. If he does hide the whole time, you'll know that the next time you have to go somewhere to have a kitty sitter stay at your house. But he might have fun once he gets used to everything.
we always stay at home if both my Mom and the Dad go away. we like to be with our own stuff. i agree, maybe have somebody stay at your house, at least part of the time you're away next time.
Mattingly will be fine when you get home. He would have the same reaction if you moved to a new place. It's just the strange surroundings. Max is right, he may hide for the whole week, but that is ok. Once he is back in his own surroundings, he will be just fine.
I don't mind when the humans go away. We have the mom's mom come over and feed us. But we are never alone because there are 5 of us. The best part of when the humans go away is that they take the dogs with them. Then its just us cats and we can get some quality naps in without being disturbed.
We agree with efurryone else, he'll be fine. Our Mom always worries 'bout us anytime she and Dad leave us (our Grandma usually stops in to check on us daily) and we miss them, but we're always okay. Sometimes we go along with them (depends on where they're goin' and for how long) and we're always a little scared if it's a new place, but after a while we get used to it. Try to not worry too much and have fun on your vacation!!
I'm going to be feeling the same way very shortly when my SO and I go on vacation. We have also not left BeauBeau and Angie for longer than an overnight once mostly because we only got them last Oct and Dec. In my previous life, I had two cats and always had the cat sitter come because I had one cat who went outside and I knew keeping him cooped up all week would really throw him off his schedule. She would come and let him and sit with him on the deck for a while. I just used to work the expense of a sitter into my vacation because it made me (and probably him) feel so much better about it. You'll pick up right where you left off when you return and Mattingly will be so grateful to see you. Have fun and bring a picture of him with you.
We hope he had a good week away from home. Can't wait to hear about his adventure!
He's afraid he's been given away at this point. When he sees you in a week, and you take him back hom he will be okay. Next time you might let him stay there for a night or two, off & on, then bring him home home so that he can see that it's just a visit and not a permament move.
Matty, you back yet??
Hey Mattingly - how you doin?
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