Having decided we were going to keep Puss Puss there were
two important things that needed attending to straight away: first and most
importantly, have him castrated, to leave him entire at the ripe age of six
would be asking for trouble especially with Harry cat around. The power
struggle between them was going to be bad enough even on equal
terms and Puss Puss trying to settle in a new home with new smells was more
than likely to prove irresistible to a spray here and there. Castrating the
poor fellow would not automatically stop him spraying but it would help.
Secondly: change his name! I refused to continue calling him Puss Puss. Nick immediately
thought he looked like a Charlie so from then on he was called Charlie Puss
Puss to get him used to it.
Now all we needed to do was persuade him into the house and
down to the vets. Over the next week or so he became a regular visitor to the
front door, I would sit with him whilst leaving the porch door open into the
hallway but first I had to move Harry cat into the store behind a closed door
to protect him from this street bully that was entering his home. I chatted to Puss Puss
Charlie telling him his new name and sending him calming healing from an arms
length. He started to trust me (if only he knew what was in store for him!) allowing
me to stroke his chubby cheeks and ginger ears, he even kneaded my jeans a
couple of times.
The under weight ginger tom was becoming a barrel shaped blob
with all the food he was getting from the neighbours and us. Julie had told us
he used to eat three large tins of cat food a day!! I decided worming was also
on his menu as soon as possible.
It was not long before Puss Puss Charlie was regularly
coming into the house but would freak out if we tried to shut the door behind
him, luckily it was a warm part of the summer and I let him come and go as he
pleased with the front door open. He never stayed longer than an hour, other
food stops to visit no doubt. One day my precision manoeuvres with Harry cat did
not go as planed resulting in hackles, spitting and hissing with a finale of Bambi
like legs scuffling across the laminate floor as they both tried to get a grip,
running on the spot before shooting off in opposite directions. Harry spent the
remainder of the day ears at attention, eyes wide peering around every corner
of the house before daring to move. It took him some time to accept my apology and
give me a cuddle.
Titan's Tale - Kindle / PC book
