Shiva the Cow Cat's Opting Out of Nomadism

[josephusminimus]

We've had some good years together, chased a lot of cows in our day, but she just ain't up to this one.<br /><img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/shiva-fallout-shelter.jpg?w=800" alt="" /><br /><br />The son of the lady who left her with me 7, 8 years ago is coming Sunday to pick her up, take her to Kansas.&nbsp; Hopefully she'll meet Dorothy and the various Kansian Anomalies to keep her remaining life interesting and exciting.<br /><br />Drops the RV population down to me, three other cats and whatever parasites are along for the ride.<br /><br />I'll miss old Shiva, but I'm a big believer in self-determination.

 

[josephusminimus]

You've had her for that long? And they're taking her back now??? That's the pits! I'm sorry you're losing her, I'm sure you feel the loss. This picture gave me a chuckle. Ann

Shiva's 12, 13 years old I reckons.&nbsp; <br /><br />Her offspring, Tabby's 9 years old and will be coming along, though I have my doubts she'll go all that far down the road before she slips past my leg into some other life somewhere.&nbsp; She's a Commie that way, but I've no alternative other than giving her a shot at it all.&nbsp; She loves that RV.<br /><br />Hydrox and Naiad are littermates, 15 years old each, and they'll stay the course.&nbsp; They're both adjusting fine, partly because we've been together since they were weened.&nbsp; Never known any family but me.<br /><br />The only advantage I can think of to Shiva striking out a different direction is it cuts down on the number of cats I have to live longer than.

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited

 

[Van Tripper]

The live longer than, is the reason I hesitate to get a pet, wouldn't want to die and leave an animal to go to a shelter.

 

[josephusminimus]

Valid reason for hesitation, seems to me.

 

[dfh]

Can I ask, are you traveling in a van or something bigger? I ask because my husband and I decided to rescue an abandoned pregnant cat during the last tropical storm. We found a new home for the mama and one of the babies, but it looks like the other 2 will be staying. We'll have 4 cats in all.. and an African Grey.<br /><br />If you're doing it in a van, how are you able to with 4 cats? Do you allow them out to wander? Do you have a portable outside shelter they go into? This is one area where I fear I may have to stay put because I've not come up with a vision of how to do this with so many pets on board a van.

 

[josephusminimus]

dfh:&nbsp; It's only three cats now, and me.&nbsp; The house is a 1983 Toyota New Horizon RV.&nbsp; Maybe 18-20 feet.<br /><br />The overhead's their travel space, a barrier so's they can't sneak out at gas stops.&nbsp; But when I'm parked a few days they'll be allowed outdoors.&nbsp; They're all old enough and experienced enough to give cause for hope they won't wander far and stay gone long.<br /><br />One trick I've always used when we arrive somewhere new is scattering the litter box thinly in a perimeter around the new territory about 10 feet out.&nbsp; Seems to let them know where home is now.

 

[josephusminimus]

I should have specified 'used' cat litter as a way of marking their new territory.&nbsp; The odor of their own droppings and urine, thinks I, is the key.&nbsp; Similar to the method I used to use of keeping the coyotes away from the chicken house by urinating in the perimeter around it, letting them know there's an alpha male owns the spot.

 

[dfh]

Thanks. I'll definitly keep researching pets in a van .

 

[josephusminimus]

dfh:&nbsp; A websearch will give you a lot of discussions on the matter, generally and specifically.&nbsp; Good luck to you and the felines.