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The New Digs

October 18th, 2012

Yesterday, Jaye asked about how all the other cats were doing and I realized I’d only talked about Dexter (he is my favorite after all *ssshhh* don’t tell the others). Samson & Soafie, our two indoor cats have adjusted well. They did their share of exploring in when we first arrived, now that it’s home, they’re back to sleeping all the time.

The Sweets, our little feral cat, is also adjusting well. We kept her in the house for a week with us, though she is not an indoor cat and does not have indoor cat manners. She’s very sweet, but she’s still feral and prefers being outside. We moved her up into the garage and kept it closed for a few days and even left Dexter up there with her.


She now seems to be fully acclimated to hew new larger digs. At first she was leery of coming outside, but she’d follow Dexter on occasion. She’s obviosly back to her feral self as she’s got her little stash of various trophies in a corner of the garage. Looks like no mouse will survive if they enter into the garage or the area around it. No doubt she’ll do just fine.

She’s a very smart little cat and seems to have a good grasp of how to survive in the wild. If you’ve never heard her story, read “A Series of Unfortunate Events”, it’s quite amazing. We’re thankful everyone adjusted nicely without too much trouble. All the cats seem back to their normal selves, I guess the same could likely be said for Mr & Mrs Chiots too. After a month, we feel like we’re finally settling into a routine.

How long does it usually take you to adjust to new situations?

13 Comments to “The New Digs”
  1. Adelina Anderson on October 18, 2012 at 6:18 am

    I am such a creature of habit. Still trying to get use to my kids schedules and we are in the second month of school.

    Reply to Adelina Anderson's comment

  2. Sue from Ky. on October 18, 2012 at 6:45 am

    I have always thought I could make a home anywhere, but I am not one who moves around. I was born and lived my entire life within the same 25-30 mile radius.I have lived in the same county 99.9% of my life. I don’t travel much at all,so I must be one of those folks who detest change.I am very content on my little space in the world,where ever it might be.doing all the things I enjoy,every day. I have no desire to go elsewhere for any reason, unless it be for staples.We grow most of what we eat. I guess my life to many,would be boring.

    Glad to see your family is adjusting well.

    Reply to Sue from Ky.'s comment

  3. jennifer fisk on October 18, 2012 at 8:00 am

    It all depends. When I lived in PA for a summer, I didn’t adjust but I had adjusted to living in Maine before the move. Now I’m so adjusted and settled after 42 years, I couldn’t wait to make it from Augusta to Belfast yesterday to again be near the water and in familiar territory after being away for 5 days. I blasted by the turn for Liberty thinking of you. I looked for a vehicle bearing Ohio plates when I stopped at the COOP. Once again, I’ll say, you’ve chosen a wonderful area to move to.

    Reply to jennifer fisk's comment

    • Susy on October 19, 2012 at 10:24 am

      Funny thing is, we were at the Co-Op yesterday afternoon, we must have just missed each other. So funny. We’ll have to plan a day to come out for a farm tour of your place, I’d love to see it.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  4. Texan on October 18, 2012 at 9:10 am

    Does not take me long, I seem to have wonder dust on the bottoms of my feet. We moved a lot! when I was a kid. Then DH and I have moved several times as well. I enjoy the excitement of it.

    Reply to Texan's comment

  5. sharon on October 18, 2012 at 10:03 am

    A really nice cats tale!

    Reply to sharon's comment

  6. Jaye on October 18, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    I’m happy they are all adjusting well :) I love the photo with the cobwebs!

    I can adjust quickly as you and Mr. Chiots have(Army “brat”) and like you, enjoy change. But, that being said, I like my routines too and find them comforting.

    Thanks for the update! (and your secret about Dexter is safe with us :)

    Reply to Jaye's comment

  7. Karen on October 19, 2012 at 8:30 am

    I know you do a raw diet with your animals but what do you do for
    flea and tick protection. We just kind of inherited a cat this summer
    (someone dropped them off at our house) so we adopted it. We do feed it a grain free cat food but I did not know what to do about flea & tick protection. She is an outdoor cat so she is bound to get them.
    I heard that food grade DE is good to rub on them but I don’t know how effective it is. Any suggestions would be helpful as I am new to “owning” a cat and taking care of them. Thanks

    Reply to Karen's comment

    • Susy on October 19, 2012 at 1:12 pm

      I do dust them with DE occasionally, but generally I do nothing. Our outdoor animals have access to areas where they dust bathe which is how animals naturally deal with these kinds of issues. I have kind of an alternative view on pests like this, I figure animals and pests like this natural live in a symbiosis and as long as we’re feeding our animals a healthy diet things will balance out. I don’t think putting pesticides on our pet is the answer. Sure, there’s a risk of disease, but I personally believe it’s lower than the risks associated with worm medications and flea/tick prevention. If she’s an outdoor cat I would simply let nature do it’s thing. She’ll most likely be dust bathing to mitigate the issue. There is research that suggests that a small level of parasite load is actually healthy for the immune system.

      Reply to Susy's comment

    • Chris on October 20, 2012 at 8:00 pm

      Karen, as a long time, cat owner, the best advice I can provide is if at all possible try and acclimate your new kitty companion to living indoors. It is way healthier for your cat and his longevity. Alot of people think that cats are unhappy unless they are allowed to free roam outdoors but getting hit by cars, eaten by predators, diseases, freezing temperatures, etc. are not very pleasant ways to live or die!
      Cats also kill millions of songbirds, small amphibians, butterflies, etc. in this country alone. Please do the right thing by your new friend and keep her or him indoors!! She’ll also live alot longer, healthier life!! :)
      Thanks!

      Reply to Chris's comment

  8. Jessica on October 19, 2012 at 8:41 am

    Dexter is awesome. :-)

    I find it fascinating that you have that many cats with different lifestyles living together harmoniously. Two solely indoor cats, one indoor/outdoor, and one not just outdoor but feral. If somebody had asked me before I started reading your blog if that was possible, I’d have said no.

    Our girls are both indoor cats, though I grew up with cats that came and went (largely as they pleased). When we do finally move truly to the country again (instead of a suburb surrounded by country, which is kind of where we are now), I’d like to have outdoor cats again to keep me company while I’m gardening.

    Reply to Jessica's comment

    • Susy on October 19, 2012 at 1:13 pm

      It is interesting how they all just get along. I think they all bonded even more during the trip.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  9. KimH on October 20, 2012 at 12:45 am

    I adjust pretty well.. I enjoy change in my life, except my furniture placement & employment ;) haha.. I like being grounded but I like flying away to whatever interests me at the moment.. and always having that rooting place to go back to. As long as I have that, Im good to go.

    Im 1700 miles from my native home.. I hope Im well adjusted. ;)

    Reply to KimH's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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