THE WORST CAT EVER HAS A FEW GOOD DAYS!

[Rosigami]

After the last time I posted about Moonpie,  the WCE (Worst Cat Ever) I took some cat behavior advice from Alsoknownas and others, and encouragement from lots of you other folks.  Together we may have saved his little cat butt from the Dreaded Ultimatum. Thank you.

You know.  The one that goes You're gonna have to choose between Me or That Cat. 

I've been there before, on the ultimatum-issuing side.  Thankfully, that guy chose his stupid cats, all 4 of them, and I was gone like a freight train.  Different time, different story. 

So I understand the dynamic. My present and long-term guy, my BLP (Beloved Life Partner) says he is a Cat Guy. Well as long as they are well-behaved and sweet and out of the way and not touching his stuff.  Like that goody goody Smudge, the Fuzzy Slipper.  

The WCE is a mover and a shaker. He likes to touch things, see what happens. He says to himself, what if I poke it like this and pat it like this and stuff it under the door like so.. uh oh that big clear thing on the counter fell over and flew so nicely and yikes! made a big noise and now there are lots of sharp shiny things all over the floor again...I'm going to saunter away now and pretend I had nothing at all to do with that mess...

So we started teaching him what was acceptable behavior and what was not, and we learned what kinds of temptations absolutely need to be avoided. No water glasses left alone on counters to fend for themselves, for instance.  Immediate consequences for unwanted behavior. (The grab and growl, I call it, with a big NO at the end) 

Right after my last post and before any positive change was evident, my BLP  had a meltdown. The WCE had 3 feet out the door. I was making calls to see if I could find him another home. Fortunately, things calmed down almost immediately and lo and behold, the kitty showed that he was smart enough to do the right thing. He stopped whatever Bad Thing he was doing when asked to, often on the first request, but sometimes on the second. That is huge, let me tell you.

Also, you may have noticed that errant white whisker over his right eye is no longer there. Tr ig seemed to think it was adding to his evil nature and he could have been right. The hair is gone, and I did NOT pull it out. Neither did the BLP.

Yes, I am sure. 

So now my boy is on Probation and there is an uneasy peace between him and the BLP. Even the Fuzzy Slipper doesn't cry rape quite as enthusiastically as she used to when he wants to play.

He is 8 months old today.

Wish us luck!

 

[Jenny]

He does have a bit of a defiant look in his eyes. Congrats and good luck with the continued cat training. I'm no longer a cat person, was one for most of my life, now I really don't see it happening. Maybe if they didn't pee and poop, jump on counters, act pissy, hack up hair balls and act like evil incarnate I'd be ok with them. Boy, now I sound like a cat hater, sorry about that! 

[alsoknownas]

Good to know. He'll be fine as long as you follow the same path and keep the order of the pride intact.

[Phyllis]

He's a smart guy! And cute. Glad there's progress.

[M. C. Sears]

But he's so damn cute :)

[greenheron]

What others said about the look in the eye.  So cute though.  He's just a teenager! Maybe you could get some plastic plates?

[Rosigami]

Jenny: oh yes, even the best of them come with some, er, unattractive attributes. But they are wonderful for snuggling and purring and sometimes even just plain good company.

Yep, he does have a "look" that comes across in pictures.

Phyllis, I believe it's his cat intelligence. If he's defiant it's because he thinks he knows what he wants, and as Alsoknownas says, he needs to be taught his place in the pride.  

Thanks, AKA.  It's working.

[Rosigami]

M.C.: I do think he's cute.  Adorable, in fact. He is very affectionate and sweet! 

Maurene: the WCE is a Water Demon. He gets in the shower with me. He loves the sink. We tried the spritz bottle, which was very effective with our last kitten,  and he just...fell in love with it.  He didn't even run away from the spray, not even with a sploosh to the kisser.  I found him cuddling it, licking it and purring. 

[JMac1949 Memories]

He's still a teenager... I expect he'll eventually grow out of it.   R&L

[Rosigami]

Hi Greenie! We have made so many adjustments and allowances for him already...I am hoping to teach him more civilized cat behavior and so far, we are making good progress.  

Jmac! Yes, I am sure age is a factor, too. He will age out of at least some of this over the next year, but the goal is for him to become Moonpie the PGC (pretty good cat) after all is said and done.  

As the BLP says, I have never had a cat who needed this much discipline, and between us we've had 6+ over our lives. 

[Din Mutha]

You're surviving! Yes! So happy for you both. And the one white whisker thing? I think we have the same ish. See it? I had no idea that it was the cause of all his evil!  That 'splains a lot. Sweet little Moonpie. It will get better!