Beginning Introducing FIV+ Bruce and the Other Cats
Beginning Introducing FIV+ Bruce and the Other Cats
May 26, 2003
My other cats are accepting Bruce being behind the closed doors. They want to go in that room, but when I crack the door and they spy Bruce, they quit being so eager to go in. My three males are taking to Bruce much better than my two females. Not sure why.
Bruce is mildly interested in my other cats. I took turns putting my other cats in a carrier and setting it in the bedroom with Bruce so they can see what’s behind the newly closed door. Bruce purrts at them, sniffs a bit, then gets bored and walks away when my cats just sit looking at him. When I put Bruce in a carrier and set him in another room, my girls come close, hiss, then back away. My males just sniff curiously. Bruce just purrts at them. I don’t think he cares about other cats being around, as long as they don’t bother him. I thought my more territorial Simon would hiss and growl at Bruce, but he doesn’t. Maybe because Bruce seems like an old tired cat (even thought two vets said he is only about 4, the same as Simon. But he sure seems years older than Simon).
My husband was thinking about trying for free mingling, but I’m not sure about that. I don’t think Bruce would bite them, thereby spreading the FIV, if they did fight, but I have no idea how he would behave in a fight. He was a street tom for a long time. Likely does bite in a fight. Someone bit him and infected him, so maybe he learned he needs to bite too in fights. But even if that wasn’t a concern, he could catch some illness from my cats, which his body cannot fight off. Cats do get “colds” once-in-a-while, little mild bouts of sneezing for a few days, that resolves itself with no harm. But Bruce could get really sick from a “cold” he may catch from one of my cats.I do want to be able to get at least Galen to be able to free mingle with Bruce. Galen is my under-the-blankets snuggle baby at night, and I know he misses that (I sleep in the stinky room with Bruce.) But, maybe I will just open the sofa bed and sleep on that, so my usual bed cats can resume their usual habit of cuddling with Mommy. There is not room on the guest bed for my husband, me and the three main bed cats.
It’s not convenient, but a life is worth much more than mere convenience. Maybe the stray cats are angels from God, to help us learn greater compassion and sacrifice, sacrifice which turns out to not be so at all. Bruce has enriched our lives. He is a gentle soul, and his touches mine. I feel so happy and peaceful when I go in to cuddle and pet him. He’s made my life better, even if he has stunk up my bedroom.