Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thankful Thursday....



We got these dishes from the auction for Marigold and Laura. Mom decided to give two of them to Licorice to help her feel special. (please ignore the baseboards and the register....mom didn't realize it looked that bad until she saw the pictures)

She is doing well - spends most of her time laying down but she starts to purr when mom comes in to see her. Siobhan and Sierra both have snuck in a couple of times and Licorice doesn't seem to care. However, Sorcha came in the other day and hissed at Licorice who hissed back at her. Mom was in no hurry to start the introductions to us, but this episode helped mom decide to give it even more time than she had originally planned.

We had some concerns about how she was eating - but mom watched her the other day pretty close. Seems she takes a HUGE mouthful of food....and then has to nom some until a few fall out and she can actually chew what she has left. Silly girl (though considering how starved she was, we can't really blame her). There may be some other issues, but we are holding off on some things until we get her a little healthier.

Mom does have a couple of concerns. Licorice seems to be itchy - to the point of chewing fur off down to her skin in a couple of places. She is also turning out to be skittish of certain things. We may never truly know her background, but mom seriously believes Licorice was abused at some point. She has to be approached very slowly - and the other day mom sprayed some cleaner on a spot on the floor and Licorice freaked out and ran into a corner. So, mom suspects a bath might help with the itchy but she really doesn't want to do anything to betray the trust that she has built so far with her. So it may be back to the vet sooner than later. 

21 comments:

  1. Sounds like Licorice just needs some old timey patience and it sounds like you are doing such a good job. It will be so rewarding as you know when she finally trusts you. Lucky kitty to have those pretty bowls. Take care.

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  2. I am grateful that she has you who understands, with her. Poor baby.

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  3. Poor little baby. We're so glad you found her and she's now safe with you. Not sure what the cause of the itchy is, but until you are able to give her a bath, can you give her some coconut oil to see if it might help?

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  4. Ditto being so glad she's with you now, and purrs for her.

    You know, Chumley used to freak out at rubber gloves. You know the kind that you wear for cleaning, just the yellow latex ones. And he freaked at the sound of a shovel on the steps (clearing snow), along with other things. I never knew his background, other than that he'd been abandoned, but I do think he'd been mistreated by a male or males. Whoever adopts Licorice down the road will have to love her as she is, baggage and all. :-)

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  5. We hope she will become less jumpy as she gets used to having you helping her - she probably has never been treated with kindness before.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  6. The itching may be due to residual flea bites OR stress. My last foster Flossy came to us in really, really horrible shape and for the first 4-5 months that we had her, had real issues with overgrooming and constantly, licking and sucking on her fur. We fostered her a year and a half in total and by the end, she was grooming normally. Stress can do some real damage and cause some very strange behaviour. Here's hoping Licorice feels much better very soon.

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  7. Stinky the Farm cat had been abused - she STILL starts if either one of us approaches her too quickly and she has been with me for 11 years. You have to feel for the poor things.

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  8. could it be allergies? Some of the bloggers use coconut oil for the itchies and my Cody has awful allergies and has to go on meds.
    Thanks for your comment today about Purina! Thanks for voting for Friends of Dearborn!
    Oh and how was I NOT following you? I just rectified that, I am following you now! Just have to get the email confirmation.
    Love, Cody and Caren from
    Cat Chat http://opcatchat.blogspot.com

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  9. It takes a LOT of observation and a TON of patience .

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  10. One of my cats is very skittish. I've wondered if some never quite get over it.

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  11. With Licorice, could coconut oil help? I think that's what Andrea at the Celestial Kitties used to help Star with her fur problems.

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  12. Poor Licorice - it sounds like she has a number of issues she needs help with! How sad that anyone could ever have been mean to her.

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  13. licorice...mor blessings oh st francis two ewe....N tim's mom...Lord onlee noes what this kitteh wented thru....mite take a few and a few mor for her ta feel safes...we wood like ta offer a wee suggestshunz two if we may; if ewe can play sum harp mewisc, either like a CD or frum de ray dee oh or even de phone; it reeely N trooly N honest lee helps takes a way stress for kittehs...

    http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2011/09/26/music-therapy-helps-soothe-animals-and-humans-alike-2/

    even tho sauce iz knot heer any mor...it helped him a lot...
    XOXO

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  14. Our mom says that it sounds as if the fur chewing could be caused by anxiety. Any kitty who received those beautiful pink bowls would have to feel special. Sending purrayers to Licorice. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  15. We are all sending purrs to that sweetie. Hopefully the stress will lessen for her soon.

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  16. Purrs for Licorice. She is in good, caring hands.

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  17. It does sound like she had some traumatic experiences. Give her time, and she'll learn to trust again. It's wonderful that you're taking such great care of her.

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  18. how sweet of you to give her the special dishes. Paws crossed that she's feeling better soon

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  19. Poor little Licorice, she's obviously gone through far too much. I'm thankful she is with you.

    Hope the itch clears up!

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  20. Those dishes are so sweet for dear Licorice. Looks like you got some good ideas on what maybe is causing her itchies such as allergies, stress or residual flea bites. I hope you can get to the bottom of it for her. Thank goodness she's with you.

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  21. We're so glad you rescued Licorice because now she will be taken care of. We purr that she gets less itchy and you can continue to build trust with her.

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