Pet Stories Blog

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

The animal sanctuary.

A feeling of accomplishment had filled me. And, as potentially upsetting to Tux as the experience of me chasing her with the fish net might seem, it actually didn’t seem that upsetting to her. She had easily kept ahead of me and out of reach. And, as you know, Tux sized up the inevitable and simply acquiesced after a good effort to resist. It was quite amazing. she must have remembered Jasmine’s advice that “she could help herself by being cooperative.”

We arrived at the animal sanctuary and the host graciously welcomed us with open arms. We felt much relief and were warmed by the reception we received. We placed Tux and Millie in their carriers in a room together and then toured the facility. There were more animals there then I had previously anticipated. I started to develop an inkling that Tux would be more comfortable with smaller numbers and so began to feel a bit of discomfort. On the other hand, the sanctuary was amazing. All the animals were happy and appeared at ease with one another. The cats had free reign in two rooms and seemed very happy and comfortable with each other. The dogs were separated from the cats. They all appeared secure, relaxed, and happy. And the sanctuary owner was warm, inclusive, and loving.

My vague discomfort, however, continued to linger in the background. Not only was I concerned about how Tux would handle things but I wondered if Millie would get as much personal touching as Margie wanted her to have. Since I did not have the clearly defined understanding of Tux as a ‘one-person cat’ and with the host assuring us that all the animals did have their private holding time, Jim and I proceeded to leave after a time. Jim and I were both feeling a little uncomfortable and we expressed our vague feelings to one another i.e.  would they get enough attention? Jim and I then proceeded to leave, each returning to our own homes.

Later, unbeknownst to each other, our individual feelings continued to surface, kindle, and burst into flames.

Next entry: Intense feelings surface.

Check out Regal’s video in the previous blog.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Plan B and Tux surprises us all!

Welcome,

As you know, Ardine was on call and came over immediately. With Tux hiding upstairs, we closed off all the doors that we could and set up a blockade at the bottom of  the stairs. If Tux were to run down the steps, the only place for her to go would be into the cat carrier. With that set, I proceeded upstairs with the first net in hand. Ardine held her position at the bottom of the stairs and was ready to shut the cat carrier door in a flash.

As I got upstairs, I immediately looked for Tux in her usual hiding place under the bed. To my amazement…no Tux! Where was she? Had she been able to sneak downstairs without my noticing? Feeling totally deflated and energetically drained, I stood up…only to catch a glimpse of her huddled next to the wall on top of the bed table. Relief filled me. I immediately put the fish net down and slowly approached. Tux looked at me with her big, round eyes and did not budge. Feeling totally surprised, I was able to gently secure her by holding on to her fur at the back of her neck. Ardine immediately came upstairs with the cat carrier and I was able to to smoothly lift Tux into the carrier by holding on to her fur and supporting her hind quarters. No fight, no resistance, no claws, and no scratches. It was like she had read the writing on the wall and totally acquiesed. She had put two and two together and accepted the inevitable. She had resisted as long as she could and finally just gave in. Ardine and I were absolutely amazed at the ease with which she let me pick her up and place her in the carrier.

As you can imagine, Ardine and I both sighed with great relief as we proceeded to take Tux downstairs, gather up Millie, and to place them both in my van along with their toys, cat food, and litter.

Upon closing the door, Ardine and I both fell into each other’s arms and cried uncontrollably. The intensity of my tears surprised me. It was such an emotional release for both of us. Our tears seemed to reflect the building tension of catching Tux and of our heartache with the reality of Margie’s situation.

Just as our emotion was dissipating and our tears had stopped flowing, Margie’s nephew Jim arrived. As Jim had pondered the situation, he surmised that it would be better if Millie and Tux remained together since they had lived all of their 13 1/2 years in each other’s company. He felt both should remain at the sanctuary rather then his taking Millie home with him. Understanding and accepting his concern, we set off to deliver Margie’s two felines to the animal sanctuary.

It was not totally apparent to us at the time but this was not the best decision for either of the felines or for us for that matter. As you will see in the coming stories, we did alter our plans for the better. For one thing, we have come to realize that Tux is really a one-person cat. And, upon reflection, I had started to sense how absolutely smart this beautiful animal was and this was captivating to me. All this has been proven to be true as you will see in the stories that are to come.

Next entry: The animal sanctuary.

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Plan A: Fish net time.

Welcome,

Feeling some heaviness of heart, I headed to Margie’s the very next morning as it was Saturday and D-Day. I had borrowed a fish net from a friend and Plan A was in effect. I would use the fish net to catch Tux. If that proved to be unsuccessful, Plan B would be initiated. Plan B was to have Ardine, another of Margie’s dear friends,  come over and, between the two of us, we would catch Tux.

With fish net in hand, I approached Tux who, for the first time, was  curled up under the couch when I entered the house. I surmised that she must have sensed something was up. Having greeted Millie and Tux, I proceeded to gently slide the net along the bottom of the couch seat with the hope of getting  it over Tux before quickly lowering it and catching her. Well, I’m sure you can imagine what happened. Tux, being on high alert, was fast, and was not going to tolerate this intrusion into her space. She immediately bolted and ran upstairs.

Ok, stop it! I know you are chuckling with the mental image of me following Tux upstairs, trying to nab her under the bed, only to follow her downstairs and doing the ‘under the couch’ routine. Upstairs under the bed, downstairs under the couch.  Upstairs under the bed, downstairs under the couch. Upstairs, downstairs so it went. Your mental picture is, I am sure, very amusing and at my expense might I add. Tux was very alert, swift, and always easily escaped my efforts to place the fish net over her body.

Finally, realizing that I needed reinforcements, Plan B was initiated with a call to Ardine. “Help!”

Next entry: Plan B and Tux surprises us all!!!

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Welcome,

Since we had ruled out the use of medication because of its unpredictability, I decided to attempt to do the towel grab. On my next visit, I sat down on my usual spot at the far end of the couch from Tux and with Millie in the middle. Very gradually, I moved closer to Millie and, while scratching her ears and speaking kinds words, gently moved her closer and closer to Tux. I kept my attention on Tux and spoke to her too. She would glance at me with her big open eyes and then would periodically glance away.

Very gradually I maneuvered the towel up over the back of the couch behind Tux and continued to get into position. When the moment seemed right, I swiftly moved the towel over Tux and attempted to grab her. This was not to be! She shot out of my hands like a streak of lightening and immediately ran upstairs.

Dejected, I followed Tux upstairs and found that she had positioned herself under the bed and at the farthest point from where I would lay on the floor. Knowing that she had won this round, I left feeling increasingly frustrated and resigned to the fact that I may, in fact, have to use the fish net. Tux would obviously be more on guard with me and the only thing left in my arsenal was the utilization of a fish net. I was also starting to feel the pressure of our transfer deadline. The very next day, Saturday, was D-Day.

Now you might be smiling as you imagine the upcoming scene in your mind…I with fish net in hand chasing up and down the stairs after Tux. But, please have compassion. I was desperate and thought “so much for not wanting to traumatize her.” With our transfer time at hand, I had run out of options.

Next entry: Plan A: Fish net time.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Consultation with my vet.

Welcome,

As I mentioned in my last blog, I will keep reentering my Regal video so that it would appear at the beginning of each new blog entry. That way, the video would always be immediately visible and available. Now, back to the continuation of my evolving Tux story.

You might wonder why I did not choose to wear gloves when I was on my Millie and Tux adventures. To be honest, I usually did not think about it. However, I did sometimes ask myself that very question as I winced after one of Tux’s unerring swats. Basically, it seems, I felt that it was important that Tux become familiar with my scent and learn to feel safe with me. Needless to say, I unconsciously chose to always leave my gloves in the car.

In the meantime, making no real progress in getting close enough or in a position to pick Tux up, I decided to get the advise of my vet, Peggy. We explored the possibility of a tranquilizing medication but I immediately set that option aside as I found that medication could sometimes have the absolute opposite effect.  Peggy then suggested that I utilize a towel and do a cover and grab as I quickly moved to pick her up. As a last straw, she suggested using a fish net to catch her.

I do have to say that the thought of a fish net did bring kind of a chuckle at first as the visual image arose in my mind. However, not having a sadistic kind of humor and even with my bit of justification considering the presenting problem, the chuckle quickly faded as the seriousness of the situation and the image of her resisting inside such a net arose. The reality was not a particularly beautiful one and it did not represent the peaceful, un-traumatizing transfer that I had hoped to make. But, considering the presenting problem of not being able to get close enough to pick Tux up, the fish net was an alternative that I needed to consider as a last resort.

Next entry: Here’s what happened…the catching of Tux.

Blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune

Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

Welcome back!

    Feeling refreshed from my vacation, I am excited about continuing to share The Evolution of Tux and Linda with you. And, might I add, we are getting to the beautiful steps of Tux’s transformation…..and mine too.

     As you may remember, I had been working on building a relationship with Tux.  This usually meant trying to get close to her by following up her upstairs and then lying on the floor and reaching out with my hand as she crouched under the bed. She was very leery of anyone except Margie and she kept her distance by huddling right in the middle area under the bed.

     On one particular morning, about the fourth day into my routine, I again approached Tux who was lying at her ususal spot on the end of the couch as I arrived. She let me sit at the opposite end of the couch and I stretched my hand out to give her the opportunity for a friendly sniff. As was common, and with her typical explosion of energy, she immediately made her mad-dash-run up to her safety spot under Margie’s bed. Then, as was typical of me, I followed her upstairs. Talking with my soothing voice and finding my prone position, I again reached out with my arm and and hand, trying to get close, to let her get familiar with my scent.

     Tux sniffed as usual but, instead of pulling her head away, she totally surprised me by literally diving her head right into my hand. My heart silently yelped, “She wants to be touched!” With a sense of awe and excitement, I immediately scratched behind her ears, on her cheeks, under her chin, and on the top of her head. She moved her head vigorously, pressing hard into my hand, and inviting my continued scratches. She then rolled her body so that her back was totally towards me. I was amazed that she would place her back to me. Moving in ecstasy with saliva gathering on her lips, she let me scratch and scratch while rolling her body back and forth. Obviously she wanted to be touched and, I’m sure, had been missing Margie’s physical presence immensely.

      My thoughts went to how vulnerable she was, and yet, how confident she must have felt to place her back to me. My heart was deeply touched. And then, as quickly as she had engaged my touch, she disengaged. The swift, defensive swat of her claws once again drew blood. I pulled my hand back feeling startled but, at the same time, understanding. It was almost like she could only take so much pleasure and then had to reestablish her guard.

     It seemed like something had shifted in our relationship that day or, at least, she wanted to be touched so much that she took a chance with me. As I reflected upon it, it had been about a month since Margie had gone to Montana and Tami, the house/pet sitter, had arrived. Regardless of what caused the shift, I was thrilled and feeling elated, immediately went down to the bathroom to again administer first-aid. I was filled with much excitement with what had just happened.

     When I left the house that morning, I continued to feel the wonder and hope of Tux’s small shift. Little did I know that something far more significant had started to happen within me. I was still unconscious as to the deeper effect that Tux’s head dive would eventually have upon my being.

Next entry: Consultation with my vet.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineA confession.

I do have to own up to a conflict that arose in my own mind and heart regarding Tux. When the magnitude of Margie’s health issue started to sink in and its reality became clear, I knew that the living arrangements for Margie’s cats would have to be dealt with. I knew this was going to be a tough call.

Sorry to say, I wasn’t up to helping with this tough call directly. I did not volunteer to take Tux. In fact, I clearly remember putting my hands over my eyes and thinking with some panicked emotion “I hope Margie doesn’t ask me to take Tux.”

The reality that I was facing, and which was true, was that I have oriental carpets, hardwood floors, and do short trips in my Roadtrek. I was concerned about potential damage to house and could not visualize an older cat adjusting to the circumstances of traveling with me in my RV. Regal had done that easily but we had started when she was 5 months old. To complicate matters, I was also just recovering from a respiratory virus and my energy level was very low. I did not have the strength to muster up a solution.

The other side of the coin was that I did not have any kind of a relationship with Tux and really did want to take on an animal that appeared to have so many problems. I felt no inner connection and could not see this as being a good match. Unlike Margie whose heart was always open, no matter who or what came on the scene, I tend to be a little bit more guarded and assess things especially where it comes to something that would affect the course of my life as an animal does. I just wasn’t up for what I perceived as a potential big problem, a sacrifice if you will.

I listened to my feelings and did not volunteer. If I hadn’t, I know that I would be doing something that I really did not want to do and would have felt upset about it. I’m sure you can imagine the sadness, conflict, and guilt that I felt with my thoughts and subsequent decision. Margie was a wonderful friend, was in need, but I just wasn’t up to taking on Tux. When I discussed the matter with Pam, it took all I had to refrain from volunteering for I did hear the unspoken need. As it was, Pam rose to the occasion and took up the torch, reassured Margie, and started the email campaign that ended with success. Tux would have a home and everyone was relieved.

Next entry: The best laid plans……..

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineA first new home is found for Tux.

To Pam’s credit and to her golden nature which would not give up easily or allow Tux’s life to be snuffed out, the search for a home began. Word went out immediately via emails. Friends talked with friends and the internet highway was used to serve this high purpose. Amazingly within a short time of this outpouring, a request of a home for Tux, the arms of a wonderful animal sanctuary owner opened, welcoming Tux into her abode. Even the upfront revelation of Tux’s problems was not a deterrent. She didn’t flinch. With open heart, the doors to her sanctuary were open, welcoming, and plans were made!

To say the least, everyone gave a sigh of relief and felt gratitude for this development. No one wanted Margie, at this final stage of her life, to have to make the decision to have Tux put to sleep nor did we want Tux’s life ended so prematurely. Margie rested in this solution and, I’m sure, felt deep relief.

Do know that Margie’s basic manner was to take care of what needed to be taken care of regardless of what it was. Margie was always up to making the tough call if necessary. I’ve seen her in the past bury the kitten that got hit by the car. I’ve heard stories of her coming to the rescue of someone in need. And, I’ve seen her make the ethical and moral choice in a tough situation at work. She always rose to the occasion, to the highest. And, we all knew, that Margie would have followed through with the tough call where Tux was concerned if need be. Thanks to Pam’s insistence, persistence, and ability to act, we were all spared the pain of a bad ending to this segment of the story.

Next entry: A confession.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineMargie’s two felines, Millie and Tux.

Regarding her precious felines, Margie wanted her nephew Jim to take Millie. He had enjoyed cats in the past, was without one at the present moment, and he liked Millie. Margie was aware of Millie’s needs and wanted her to be in a place where she would be touched and loved. In recent years, she had played second fiddle where Tux was concerned, and Margie wanted Millie to get her due. She was an easy cat to be with and would offer much love herself. The Millie decision was the easy one to make.

Now Tux was another matter. Considering Margie’s situation and need, Margie rose again to the highest. She remained thoughtful of the people in her life. She did not want any of her friends to take Tux. She knew what a pill Tux could be. Considering the urinating problem, Margie did not want Tux to destroy anyone’s carpets and furniture. She did not want anyone to take on Tux and be regretful about it later.

Holding the situation in her awareness, Margie leaned toward the very tough decision of having Tux put to sleep. In a conversation with Margie, Pam, a very dear and close friend, insisted that another solution would be found. She was very firm on this even if it meant that she herself would take Tux home until some other arrangement would be found.

Pam’s offer was beyond the beyond and so typical of her. I was utterly amazed that she made this offer. Let it suffice for me to say that this would have created a most difficult scene and it most likely would not have been the most pleasant. Pam and Dale have a canine named Annie, a border collie, who by nature takes charge. Between her desire to herd and with Tux with her fear of all that walks…..well, I’m sure that you can imagine what it would have been like. I can—bedlam might be close! My heart goes out and gives the utmost credit to Pam, the depth of love she contains in her heart, and her willingness to help with whatever it takes!

You can get the picture of what extraordinary human beings both Margie and Pam were/are—Margie with her concern for her friends even at this time of great need and Pam with her clear, unquestioning intention to serve her dear friend in her time of need. Love at the very core!

Next entry: A first new home is found for Tux.

With blessings, Linda