The VANTENATOR

Vante is definitely living up to her nickname these days.  The integration process has it's good hours and it's incredibly terrible minutes.  I have two stories to tell and I would like some suggestions/feedback because this is all about the cats.

Let me set this up:
Vante - 8.4 pounds, 14-years old, only has her back claws, torbi (tortishell and tabby mix)

Amelia - 14 pounds, 6-years old, fully clawed, black shorthair

Callie Mae - 11 pounds, 6-years old, only has her back claws, dilute calico

TERROR #1-I was cooking, all 3 girls were out and about and had been doing fine for over an hour.  All of a sudden a banshee scream comes out of our living room.  I look over from the stove and there is literally (I'm not exaggerating) a tumbling ball of Vante and Amelia.  I run over and by now they're in the foyer and Amelia has accidentally backed into a crinkly tunnel, which I had just moved.  Amelia is trying to get out of the tunnel while Vante is smacking the tunnel for all she is worth.  At this point I arrive on the scene and break it up.  I put Amelia in her room and Vante in her room.  (Callie Mae was already in her room under the bed, she's quite scared of Vante.)
FYI--all three cats had their claws vigorously trimmed at this point in time.

TERROR #2-After several hours (at least 3 or 4) I am computing and hear the banshee scream once again.  I jump over my husband and make it out in time to see Amelia & Vante hitting each other.  Amelia is backed into a corner (sofa and just-placed there box) and Vante is about 6 inches away.  They're staring at each other so I figured I would let them stare it out.  It took about 3 minutes and Vante slowly walks away.  Amelia goes to her room and I notice that she has urinated on the tile floor where she was cornered.  We clean the area, check on both cats and put them both in their rooms.


What does the urinating mean?

I've been doing some reading and learned that I need to add vertical space to give them more territory.  So, I've ordered a cat tree and if it's good I will order another one.  I'm researching cat shelves too.  (The gentleman who makes and sells the ones they use at Best Friends is injured, so I need to find another source or build them myself.)

Any suggestions? 

Happy Valentine's Day

Vante helped me make some cookies last night for the guys at my husband's work.  When I was using the hand mixer she became very curious and every few minutes I had to pick her up and show her what I was doing.  At one point she got up on her hind legs and reached as high as she could with her front paws to get my attention.  She just loved me holding her and showing her the cooking.  Vante's my little sous chef!

We didn't do anything special to celebrate Valentine's Day - just hung out.  Vante got her normal dose of lap, pets, food and kisses.

The integration process is going well.  All three cats were out and about for 2 hours and there was mostly just a lot of staring and of course growling and a few hisses.  Overall it was quite tame compared to what I've seen in the past.  I'm pleased.  We'll continue with this process, working up to several hours at a time.  I still think that I will keep all 3 girls completely separated during feeding time.  With Vante's special dietary need I can't chance her eating the regular food.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vante's Teeth Cleaning

Vante had her teeth cleaned yesterday and it went very well.  She didn't have any cavities or issues, so no extractions were necessary.  They checked her urine and the prescription diet is helping - no more crystals in her urine!

Now, Miss V threw around some not nice meows on her way to and from the doctor.  She's not a fan of car rides or cat carriers (or as she calls them Kitty Prisons).  I tried to calm her during the drive but I don't think she appreciated my singing or trying to explain that this was in her best interest.  I think she called me a liar. 

Oh well.  She's good for another 6 months.  :)

FYI--my article about the trip to Haiti, and a few photos, are up on the March ARB website.  Check it out!