Well overdue
“Why don’t you post about me more?”
Eek! It’s been over three weeks since my last post about Pikelet. A big reason in starting this blog was to encourage me to capture more memories - writing, photos and videos - of our fostering experience. A couple days go by of just trying to enjoy the experience, then suddenly it’s a week and life starts getting busy and then I find myself in this position. I can procrastinate too - so as I start this I’m making a pledge to get this post up as soon as I possibly can. I might miss some things but I can always add them later. There probably isn’t going to be a lot of photos because I’ve also slackened off with taking them. I assume most people would prefer photos over my words but it’s going to happen from time to time with this blog but I’ll do my best to always have some.
So what’s been happening with Pikelet?
Once again I’m quite amazed to look back and reflect on how far Pikelet continues to come with every post - it’s been a massive three weeks for her. Pikelet loves being allowed out of her room to roam the rest of the house - she likes to explore, she always wants to be part of the action and to be involved with whatever we’re doing, and when things are a bit quieter her favourite spot is on top of the cat tree.
Top of the tree, best spot in the house
I’m at a point that we often seem to reach with our fosters where they just want to be out of their room all the time. This can be challenging with four resident cats, who really live as two separate pairs of cats as we were able to manage two introductions but are still working on integrating the two pairs into one clutter of four. I’m sure I’ll post more about this in future as it’s still something we’re working on. But for fostering, it often means that we reach this point where I start feeling guilty about trying to let the foster cats out more often but having to juggle that with the residents as they also need to feel safe and secure in their own home. I’m definitely feeling that guilt now but try reassure myself that any fosters have more space, freedom and comfort here than in the shelter. I’ve also been really trying to enjoy the moments with Pikelet now that’s she really coming into her own as a pet.
Getting to know a couple of her housemates
Pikelet has been getting to know a couple of our residents - Nutmeg and a little bit of time with Cola. They’re our two youngest cats so they’re also our most playful. It’s been pretty successful having the three of them play together, especially when they’re all focused on their toys. Once they start to lose focus, little Pikelet likes to get up in their grills a bit so I’ve tried luring her back to her room before that happens (which can be easier said than done). Pikelet and Nutmeg have also had a couple of meals together. It mightn’t have been the greatest photo I’ve taken, but it’s felt like a pretty special moment so it’s included below. I don’t think Nutmeg was too impressed with having to share a meal with a new companion though!
Couch kitty
The real highlights for me have been enjoying the moments with a Pikelet who is well and truly developed into a companion and a pet. It’s really special to be sitting on the couch and for her to come over and sit with us. At first it was sitting beside me on the couch, then it became sitting between or on my legs and we’re now at the point where she will happy stay on my lap for some pats. And if I’m really lucky and she’s in a good mood, she lets me pick her up like a little baby for some cuddles. I always ask for permission first - holding both my hands out to her so that she knows I will pick her up if she leans in (I’m pretty sure she knows the meaning now) - she doesn’t always say yes but it still feels pretty special when she does.
Advanced kitty skills
Pikelet has also been testing herself with some more advanced kitty skills. A couple of cute ones below but the one that sticks in my mind as the cutest (but unphotographed) is I’ve been furnishing the foster room, particularly with some cleaner looking storage - including a couple of fabric cube storage boxes (that slide in and out). I thought it would make for a great option for storing the stash of foster toys. It took Pikelet all of a couple of hours to work out how to get her paw into the fabric cube, slide it out and dig in there to fish out her toys. She’s one smart cookie!
We tried the cat backpack one night - she hopped in herself, we had some treats so it would be a positive experience, took a quick photo then we had a brief walk around the living room (no complaints from Pikelet) then ventured out into the backyard. We wandered around for 5-10 minutes without any complaints from Pikelet. She then started getting a little restless and began to meow so we came back inside. She wasn’t scared of the backpack afterwards so we will try again soon (and hopefully get some more adorable photos).
We also tried the harness - just inside the house and without the leash as Pikelet wasn’t too fond of this from the get go. We might try again but I suspect it might take her longer to get used to the harness than she’s got left in the house. She sure looks pretty though.
Adoption interest
All good things must come to an end and Pikelet has been up on the RSPCA Queensland adoption site for a while now. Two weekends ago, I had to make a call to an older lady who was interested in adopting her. She sounded perfect - living at home by herself, experienced cat owner and looking for a companion. I was feeling quite sad before I called but then even more depressed afterwards - she sounded like a lovely lady but while she was waiting to hear back about Pikelet, she met another kitten (also from RSPCA) looking for adoption with whom she had also fell in love. I really felt like I had let poor Pikelet down. Fast forward another 1.5 weeks and while I was drafting this post I was asked and then just called a young couple who are interested in Pikelet. They sound like a great match. We’ve had one chat about Pikelet’s background, her behaviour, how to set her up for success and how to interact with her. She asked lots of questions and is still very interested in adopting Pikelet so the next step will probably be a meet and greet. Our really fear our time with Pikelet is coming to an end but I’m super excited to find her a loving home where she can be part of the family all the time.
One final photo to finish. I’m sitting with her now as I finish off this post - she’s decided that I need some grooming. To be fair, she might be right!
