 Karma | "Karma" my newest roommate. Karma and I have now been roommates since the beginning of April. She is about 5 years old and very much set in her ways. The first couple of weeks were a bit hellish for both of us but to no fault of hers. A new home and a new roommate will make anyone feel stressed. |
Karma came to me from a very warm loving home where a cat allergy issue surfaced.
Having met Karma a few times prior and being aware of her habit of growling and hissing at people,
I have to admit I was a bit reluctant. But I decided to give it a try.
Her primary behavior the first two weeks, was basically to sleep under the beds, growling and hissing at me any time we would cross paths, when I gave her food or especially when I would try to get near her. A few times her attacking mode took me by surprise and once I even jumped back.
So I took the aloof approach. I placed all her important things in the spare bedroom, bed, toys and made sure she had plenty of food, water and a clean litter box.
The bedroom door was left open so she could roam the house at her leisure.
Two weeks or so passed and I guess she decided that I was no longer the enemy and one night she
came and sat on the back of the couch behind my head. No growling or hissing was communicated.
We have since come to what I refer to as a roommate understanding, mutual patience and respect with an occasional bounding. The growling and hissing is a thing of the past and I feel that our relationship has grown as we have become great roommates and friends.
Cats are like people and in life we need to try to understand and respect their individual personalities and at times give them their own needed spaces.
I welcome any questions, sharing or comments you may have.
By Danielle Manibog
Be The Change
Having met Karma a few times prior and being aware of her habit of growling and hissing at people,
I have to admit I was a bit reluctant. But I decided to give it a try.
Her primary behavior the first two weeks, was basically to sleep under the beds, growling and hissing at me any time we would cross paths, when I gave her food or especially when I would try to get near her. A few times her attacking mode took me by surprise and once I even jumped back.
So I took the aloof approach. I placed all her important things in the spare bedroom, bed, toys and made sure she had plenty of food, water and a clean litter box.
The bedroom door was left open so she could roam the house at her leisure.
Two weeks or so passed and I guess she decided that I was no longer the enemy and one night she
came and sat on the back of the couch behind my head. No growling or hissing was communicated.
We have since come to what I refer to as a roommate understanding, mutual patience and respect with an occasional bounding. The growling and hissing is a thing of the past and I feel that our relationship has grown as we have become great roommates and friends.
Cats are like people and in life we need to try to understand and respect their individual personalities and at times give them their own needed spaces.
I welcome any questions, sharing or comments you may have.
By Danielle Manibog
Be The Change
"Assumptions are the termites of relationship."~ Henry Winkler
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