Freda report

It’s been about 3 weeks since Freda was adopted.

She’s doing better than we’d expect as this update on 27 Sep from her mum, SI shows:

Freda’s quite chatty – she’ll walk by you and go meow. She doesn’t want food or anything, she’s just going “Wassup?” She’s quite confident now, and likes to sleep in the living room sofa now, even if no one’s there. She likes to hold little races with herself in the early morning, which are quite fun to watch.

Don’t know if we’re changing the name, as we still haven’t found the right name. She had a little accident on the carpet, but it was all solid poo, and easy to clean and it was time the carpet was sent for cleaning anyway. The carpet was one of those shaggy carpets, so it’s quite easy to see why she’d make that mistake.

She’ll come running up to anyone who comes into the house now, which is nice, cos she used to go into hiding or peer from one corner. I think she’s quite certain that this is her house now, and she thinks it’s her job to be a good hostess and say hello to visitors.

Cheers,
SI

When Freda first got to her new home, she had SI worried as the litterbox was very clean. Later she discovered where Freda had been taking her bio breaks:

We finally discovered where she’s been pee-ing – she’s been using the bathtub, and peeing over the drainage hole! 🙂

She left her poo on the rug though, so we’ve rolled it up to prevent further accidents.

Since Freda did not have access to any drainage holes or bathtubs in the shelter, it must be previous experience that prompted her to denounce the litterbox.

However, the latest on her toilet habits, fresh as of this morning shows she’s also adaptable (she’s back to using the box), and perhaps a bit conservative:

i think my husband gave her a shock when she was peeing at the pipes

she probably thinks “aiyah! Cannot pee here, got peeping toms!”

What a fun, easy-going and understanding family Freda has. It is wonderful that she is now a confident kitty, and her family are great with her.

Really, every kitty just needs a chance.

Timmi will have a home to go back to

Timmi is back at the cattery now. She is looking well, and is much sleeker and with full soft fur with a healthy sheen. The wonders of some tlc and quality food, ala a few months of Wellness at the latest (before that she has been on Natural Balance as we recommended at the time of adoption, and PC remarked the change was significant, even to her, within a short time).

Timmi was sent back on 19 Sep 09, Sat. Her situation is a mix-bag now – she will have a home, just not so soon. The current address of PC’s sister, D, is not cat-safe and does not lend itself to cat-safe proofing which was why Timmi had no alternative home. However, D will be moving to an address which can be, but that is quite a while away, so the plan now is to foster Timmi until D’s new home is ready.

D is actually the one whom Timmi has rapport with so it makes sense that Timmi go to her.

We didn’t manage to visit this weekend since the haze instigated our noses to go on marathon runs. But here are some phots and a vid I did manage last weekend, in commemoration of Timmi’s 1st complete week at the shelter.

She was curious and cautious, somewhat bewildered but quite interactive. She even called out to btmao immediately upon spotting her. We’re still trying to decide if she remembered her old ritual or was just eager for human company.

Timmi’s really making use of her life quota. When we first met her, it was at the shelter’s old address. Foster Mum’s neighbour, SP, who also is into the cat business, had claimed 2 cats from AVA. She had called us earlier while at AVA, asking if any of our community cats were missing as she was told about 2 cats brought in from our Area2. One of them fitted the description of Booties, but the other one we didn’t know at all. But we asked SP to go ahead and help us to claim them both back.

When we went over to SP’s place, we recognised Booties, but the kitty with her was new to us. Snatched from the jaws of death as it were, we brought both Booties and Timmi back to the Area2 carpark that day. Some time later, we did bring Timmi into foster care, in order to look for a home for her. This first part of her story is all here, on her original adoption notice.

Booties had all of 1 enquiry during her 2.5 years in the cattery before she “accidentally” lucked out and was brought home together with Timmi. Timmi’s adoption run of 1.5 years fared a little better than Booties’ did, but it was nothing to shout about. But after sharing the same home for 2 years, Booties and Timmi are now separate, not that there’s much love lost, by all accounts. In fact, Booties seem to be adapting better to PC’s baby and even allows the baby to take her tail.

They had shared some harrowing experiences, and some wonderful memories of home together, these 2 grand ladies of the Area2 carpark. If Timmi is making use of her nine lives, Booties is not far behind in her utilisation rate. However, Booties’ home situation is stable, while Timmi is now in the waiting game again. But at least it’s not quite back to square one – she will be spared an endless wait without answers this time. So chin up, Timmi!

Timmi coming back to the shelter

Remember our SOS earlier this year about Timmi and Booties’ situation? Fro a while it seemed like things were going to work out.

But Timmi’s jealousy has escalated and she has started attacking Booties, fiercely. Unfortunately, their mum’s backup plan of sending Timmi to her sister is now a closed option.

Back to the drawing board for Timmi

So Timmi will return to the cattery next week and join the homeseekers. As all signs point to her need for attention and a strong jealous steak, us minions will work on getting her a home where she can be the only cat. Let’s hope she behaves when she gets back to the cattery.

Freda adopted yesterday

UPDATE: 20091005: Freda update report here

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Freda had a potential adopter couple visit yesterday.

She wasn’t quite presentable, since her anxiety and stress with communal living has escalated and she had started licking herself to the point of causing bald patches on her flanks.

But her potential new parents did not dismiss her candidancy. In fact, they were understanding of her situation and agreed it wasn’t something that affected their decision.

All the while, Freda had this look on her face, even when she was carried by me and given head scritches by her patient visitors. Later, while cuddled by her potential new mum, she got nervous quite a bit faster than when I had been holding her and started squirming, her way of showing she want to be back in the cage. Her timidness wasn’t helped by being so close to someone who was still a stranger at that moment of course. So back into the cage she went while btmao and I spoke a bit more with her visitors, emphasizing the need to give her time to adapt should they bring her home, and gave them a bit of time to consider.

They had a quick pow-wow, as they had come prepared.

Freda’s adoption notice is now closed. Though she had spent quite a large portion of her shelter time in a cage, the fact that she did come out of her shell, for a while before retreating from being bullied again, we felt was a sign that she just needed a home where she would have the space to be confident and be herself. Earlier this afternoon, her new mum sms’d to say Freda was exploring the house after hiding under a shelf for merely 6 hours. That really confirms her anxiety in the cattery, that she was overwhelmed by being among so many other cats, and couldn’t take the bullying that seemed so focused on her.

Throughout Freda’s stay at the cattery, she had many test cuddles with BY while I took pictures. She must be imagining how wonderful it would be if there weren’t so many other cats around.

Her wish has come true. Freda starts a new life with a family where she’s the only cat (or at least first cat). We’re hopeful she and her new family will be very happy with each other.

Homeseeker: Freda

[UPDATE 20090912: Freda adopted yesterday]

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(Must read: Cat care refs.)

Beautiful Freda is a 2 year old young adult female cat.

She wears the signature agouti coat typical of the true Singapura – our local cats and enjoys chin tickles and lap warming.

Freda is gentle, extremely affectionate and trusting.

She is also very timid with other cats and would do well as a single cat. Environments where the residents are hooligan cats are definite no-nos as she is too much the flower child to even stand her ground. Patience and attention is vital for this lovely girl’s integration into a new family. Have you got what it takes?

She is sterilised, vaccinated and litter-box trained.

To visit Freda
Email us at sephycat at gmail dot com, with your name, contact, and a brief intro of yourself/your family.

Genuine, serious adopters only please.

(Must read: Cat care refs.)

More Freda Pictures

Lovely chin tickles

Snuggle

Lying pretty

Side profile

To visit Freda
Email us at sephycat at gmail dot com, with your name, contact, and a brief intro of yourself/your family.

Genuine, serious adopters only please.

(Must read: Cat care refs.)

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Click here to see other home-seeking kitties.

Homeseekers: Sakiko and Sachiko

[UPDATE 20090420: Sachiko and Sakiko have been adopted. Thank you for your interest in the sisters]

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(Must read: Cat care refs.)

Meet

Sachiko

Sakiko

A lovely pair of sisters who absolutely loves people, Sachiko (fortunate child) and Sakiko (blossom child) were born on 26 Dec 2008.

They are dewormed, litterbox-trained and have had their first vaccination shot on 12 Mar 2009.

The sisters are ready to go home together with a responsible family who will care for and love them for all their lives. More of their background here.

Successful adopters must sign an adoption agreement form, keep them indoors at all times, mesh all windows in the residence and undertake to sterilise them when they reach 6 months of age and keep them up-to-date on their vaccination shots.

To visit Sakiko and Sachiko
Email us at sephycat at gmail dot com, with your name, contact, and a brief intro of yourself/your family.

Genuine, serious adopters only please.

(Must read: Cat care refs.)

(Photos courtesy of JN)

[EDIT: They are also found on ST701.com]

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Click here to see other home-seeking kitties.

Area2: Saba’s kittens sequestered

As mentioned, there were five kittens in Saba’s latest litter. Feeder A found out they were born 26 Dec-boxing day. However, they started disappearing within a week of Saba bringing them out of hiding in mid February. By the end of the week, three were permanently gone. They are all super affectionate, as all Saba’s previous babies. We have our suspicions and have raised them with the town council. For the two surviving kittens, I decided to find them a real home. So they are now being fostered.

SOS: helping kitties deal with Mum’s pregnancy, babies and/or kids

Remember Booties and Timmi? This is an appeal for help – advice and suggestions needed from anyone who has gone through a situation where a pet cat starts behaving badly after the stork deposits da package. Please reply or write to us at sephycat at gmail dot com.

The two dames have a 3-month old human addition to the home now.

Booties is handling the change well.

But Timmi, unfortunately, isn’t.

In the words of their mum, PC:

I’m having difficulty managing Timmi lately and I was wondering if I could get your advice.

We recently had a baby daughter, she’s now 3 months old. Both T & I barely spent time with them in the 1st one and half months .

The cats have been more needy and I think the baby’s crying drives them berserk, well it nearly drove us to tears!!

We expected that the cats will be confused and more needy with the baby and changes in the routine at home- they used to be able to go into our spare bedroom (now the baby’s room) but they can’t now. So we let them go into the study when they previously couldn’t. They are not allowed in our master bedroom at all.

Timmi is driving me insane with her needy behaviour, she was stalking me everywhere I go and even when I’m on the couch breastfeeding my baby. I try to give some attention to both the cats in the mornings when the baby’s asleep. Timmi has now resorted to negative behaviour to get our attention, she blatantly goes into the master bedroom even when she knows that I can see her doing it! She didn’t show much interest in our room before the baby came along, I used to leave the door open the entire day and she wouldnt bother to go in, now she’s doing it almost everyday. She knows that she will get punished( I scuff her, hiss and beat her butt) for it but she does it anyway. T thinks she’s doing it to get attention even if it is negative – so I ignore her and let her bad behaviour slide.. I really don’t want to punish her everyday, its unhealthy for both of us but her behaviour has gone from bad to worse. The thing is, we really can’t give her as much attention as we used to, T has since change jobs, he works longer hours and his job requires him to travel a fair bit as well. I’ve quit my job to become a stay at home mom. I have to manage the baby, household chores and cats alone most of the time.

Booties is doing okay but unfortunately she cant sit on my lap for the time being, can’t hve fur on me when I carry the baby.

We had a chat about the situation. It’s not the absolute pits yet, but PC would dearly love to get further away from those. She is nearly the end of her tether about coping with Timmi. While her sister has offered to take Timmi, PC considers it the very last resort and hopes very much to keep the family intact.

I did a search online; there’s quite some references about preparing kitties for the arrival of a new baby, but I was not able to find anything about managing the situation if a situation develops after the baby arrives.

Help, anyone?

What’s bothering you, Timmi?

Farewell, Remy

Yesterday, around noon, Remy the one-eyed old boy, aka Toby, breathed his last, with his parents, Shirlena and Gary, by his side.

Gently to sleep

Remy’s health had been slowly declining since the middle of last year. This was probably due to FIV, which he tested positive for in a second test his parents ordered.

His downward spiral started with oral health problems, which resulted in extraction of most of his worn-out grinders. Since then, he had been on soft food, usually home-cooked meat dishes. His favourite, and later the only thing he would eat without prompting, was peeled boiled prawns, which he had also favoured in foster care. Then his kidneys also started deteriorating.

During the past year, the old boy’s health slowly gave way. He had been boarded at the vet for some days now, severely emaciated, on drip and with very high cretin readings, when on Thursday night, he vomitted blood. The vet had said there was nothing else that can be done for him.

Ultimately, it was the quality of life that mattered. So yesterday Shirlena and Gary made the difficult decision and sent Remy on his way because to keep him lingering on would be no kindness to him.

Remy, hale and healthy

It seemed like it was only yesterday when Shirlena and Gary fetched Remy home to join their brood of 4, renamed Toby.

When we heard the first good news that he was settling in, after a year or so of problems, we shouted for joy.

It had been a long long road to a new home for the poor old boy, his parents and his family. But it still feels like he has barely begun to live again before he bade his final goodnight.

Remy took his time to settle down and has given his parents more than their fair share of headaches.

Still, we know Shirlena and Gary will remember him with fondness, even though he started life with them on the wrong paw, and at the beginning seemed determined to test (and break) the limits of their patience and forbearance.

At the beginning, Remy shuffled stubbornly to his own old beat, but he was lucky that Shirlena and Gary were such patient parents, able to see beyond his monstrous antics, quite unlike many people who won’t see past the physical.

Settled in and comfy, the old boy enjoyed his home life as he deserved and should have had for a few more years, in our opinion. But at least he did get a second chance, thanks to Shirlena and Gary.

We were glad on his behalf, and still are, for Shirlena and Gary’s kindness in opening their home and hearts to this old boy.

Memories, Sep 2007: btmao giving the polite one the headscritches he loved so much

It’s the end of the road, and there is really not much else to say but “Farewell” to Remy, and to tell Shirlena and Gary: We are sad that Toby is gone so soon. You have done your best for him. Thank you and please take care.

Take care, and have a safe journey

Freda’s out and about

After 5 months of timidness, Freda is finally coming out of her shell. We were delighted to see her out and about on her own for the first time last Saturday.

However, there is a price to pay for her freedom.

The two scars on her nose were inflicted by Betsy, who’s been feisty and aggressive with all and sundry. There’s another one on her right cleft.

Closeup

The good news is that Freda is still as loving as ever, and is putty in the arms. She’s a gentle purr machine.

Kola living it up

Remember Kola? We got these updates.

17 Aug 08

Hi calsifer

Please find attached updated photos of Kola boy.

Message from Kola

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1) 0747: Mummy, what’s up!

2 0752: This is my new bed.  I like it a lot but many times, mummy will use my bed when I have dinner.  She always say: boy, mummy will only use it for 15mins & it will be yours again.  My bed will start moving after she pushes some buttons.  I heard daddy asking mummy whether she like this new massage chair but…… it is a bed & the leg stand that daddy refers to, it’s my scratching post.  Strangely, mum cover the scratching post with a towel.  She also bought me a baby comforter & put in on the seat 🙂

Hmmm… now my little Kola boy is enjoying himself & behaving like a prince (Kobi is always the king 🙂  Yes, he decides taking my new massage chair as his bed.  I can only use it when he on the chair…..otherwise, he will meow at me.  He even jumped on my thigh a few days ago while I was using the chair.  He likes scratching the leg stand & all other parts of the chair, therefore, I have to cover it with towels 🙂  Hopefully, he will not abuse the chair any further & allow me to use it for one to two years hahaha….

My reply to his mum on 18 Aug

hmmm, u might want to try putting scotch tape, sticky side up or double-sided tape on the places he lieks to scratch, they will make the experience unpleasant for him and maybe teach him to leave it alone =)

And his mum’s reply on 20 Aug:

Anyway, we don’t be bother to stop him from scratching la… The chair is wrapped up like a mummy now, so he can’t scratch it most of the time unless the towels came down… then let him enjoy himself for a while la 🙂  Anyway, there are many scratches on it now.

And this one on the same day:

Yeah, don’t remind me… I have all my “kids'” pictures in office & have just replaced him with the one I have sent to you – really feel like hugging everytime I look at him 🙂  I’m glad adopting him…. he is such a wonderful pet just a pity that he can’t get along with the girls but we are all doing well now 🙂

He is so funny & naughty – he will wake me up every night once or twice asking for massage!!!!  Can’t you believe it… sometimes, he really killed me – so sleepy at work!!  After the massage, he will ask for foods, otherwise, he will meow non stop & my Kobi will complain…. Ah yeah, I’m like the maid to them man 🙂  He will jump on to the bed asking for food if we bring them into the room – really ah fat man…   He will always follow me to the washroom!!! – just like my other two boys… my toilet is really getting too small now!!  hahaha……  It is a joy to have them all!  Hope this will last forever…. 🙂

I have attached two other photos, see which you like most 🙂  the bed is messy, thanks to the three boys (not ME).

And this one too:

2 Oct 08

Hi calsifer

Here is the Kola’s latest fashion 🙂

He seems to have kicked off his chewing habit – hope this will continue.

Sometime before these emails, I had a long phone conversation with Kola’s mum. She had called to update on him. Despite the removal of his tail’s inflamed portion which should have relieved him of his pain, he had continued to chew his tail stump.

His mum had been perplexed and wondered if she was not paying him enough attention given his needy nature. After a few, no doubt expensive, consultations, the vet determined that Kola probably has a bit of a psychological issue with his neediness. Besides prescribing some more medicine to calm him down, the vet also suggested that his mum give him more cuddles. This was what she had already been doing.

The vet also suggested spending more time with him. Short of bringing him along when she and his dad go on outings, they could hardly be giving him more time (as it is, they are already giving him more time than her 2 cats and 2 dogs who had been with her before Kola imposed himself). So that was what they did – they brought him along on outings whenever possible, to the market, on trips to places where kitties aren’t banned, to family gatherings. They bought different harnesses, pet prams and tried them all out, and found one for different occasions.

Kola is a big boy and getting fat, so carrying him can be back-breaking work, but his mum and dad obliged him as he seemed to enjoy being carried like a baby than being in a pram though he liked that too.

His mum mentioned that while she is not sure if she is doing enough for him, she hoped that we understand that she was doing all she can for him.

I told her that we’re extremely happy and feel he’s just one lucky little monster. In fact, we feel apologetic for all the problems he’s caused and the money they’ve spent on vet fees for him and the injuries he caused, and modifying their home to ensure his comfort and KeYuan and KeLe’s (the two younger female cats they’ve got) safety. I also told her that honestly if we had an idea about the extent of his neediness, I would have hesitated to adopt him out at all. On hindsight, the signs were there, not in flashing neon, but there were indications.

Here we both paused for a long while before Kola’s mum asked me if I thought he would have done well had he stayed at the cattery. I told her frankly, I do not think so, simply because Foster Mum and her helpers would never be able to afford the time and attention he alone needs. Similarly, he would not have done well even if we brought him home which might have been something we needed to do if he had stayed over a prolonged period in the cattery and his problem manifested itself fully. Nobody’s home in the daytime plus we have an felv/fiv positive cat (Rheilly), a somewhat needy cat (Philly), a nonchalant one who doesn’t like other cats (Joey), a kidney failure old boy (Bams) and his bleeding-bladder-wall-without-root-cause brother who dislikes all cat interactions (Teddy) all jostling for attention.

But at the same time, the problems he’s caused her would not be something we would not wish another to bear for us – after all we were the ones who decided to rescue him. Frankly, it wasn’t a comfortable place to be, given that there were no clear answers to the real and potential issues.

I just felt both he and us, btmao and me, were lucky he met her and she was willing to take him and bear the responsibility for him. She told me not to worry about it, and since she’s taken him in, he’s her responsibility for life and she would do what’s needed for him and the rest of her brood.

We ended the conversation with the mutual understanding, especially of her love and effort for him, my apologies and our absolute trust in her to do what’s right for him, and her understanding of our heartfelt gratitude on Kola’s behalf.

Mio has a garden to roam in

Mio had her first potential adopter visit on 16 Aug 08. On 23 Aug, she went home to an expat family with 2 children, and experience with cats.

Before she was packed off to her new home, I took some pictures

She was happy enough with the attention but didn’t seem aware of the imminent change to her life.

It was binging as usual for this trusting, and beautiful tabby.

It took her a while but when she realised she was leaving, she started to protest. It didn’t help that Bonnie got curious and explored the carrier while she was inside.

Of course we asked about Mio’s progress thereafter, but the most significant update came on 13 Sep via sms:

Hi calsifer. We introduced Mio to the garden but she comes back inside before we are ready. She seems to prefer inside. We went last night and found her sleepnig withe kids when we came back. She really settled well.

Here’s some lovely photos we got on 4 Oct:

Dear calsifer,

Here is some photos of Mio. Sorry it took so long to send these. She is doing quite well with us. She is getting slightly more adventurous but she mainly stays inside the house.

On Oct 7, this update:

Yes, Mio is eating very often and still acts like she is starving. She eats a lot more than Precious (calsifer: the family’s old cat) but hopefully it will get better. And Yes we decided to keep her name as we like it.

We hope to visit soon of course…

Freddy home-free since 30 Aug 2008

Freddy‘s new family identified him as the one in late july, but due to scheduling conflicts, was not able to bring him home until late August.

On 30 Aug, I wasn’t there to say good bye to him, but btmao got a last cuddle with him. He seemed to know something’s up.

The next day, his new mum, P, called me, sounding very concerned that he has not used the toilet. She had opted not to use pine, which was what is used at the cattery, and had bought recycled paper pellets as her daughter has sensitive noses like us. She was getting ready to go out and get some pine, as she suspected he may not like the recycled paper pelltes. So I reassured her that it is not unusual for cats to take a while to get their biological rhythm back in step when in a new environment. However, I advised her to just watch him, and while it may be difficult ot differentiate between a cat trying to adapt to a new environment and a cat in a new environment from distress due to other more ominous reasons, a few simple signs would clue her in, namely:

• he is eating well
• he is not crying loudly
• rather than hiding himself away, he was in fact exploring the house and mingling with the family already

Following our conversation, this is the email I received from P the next day:

… thanks for the reassurance – it saved me $20+ on a bag of pine litter. This morning, when I walked into the study I was greeted with the aroma of cat pooh – Freddy had apparently used his box sometime between midnight last night and 7 am this morning. So hopefully he sticks to the idea. He wandered aronund the house yesterday – very inquisitive, but retreated to the study again about 20 minutes later. He showed a huge interest in the beds so I kept the bedroom doors shut and gave him a bath this morning so even if he decides to sample the beds he’ll at least be decently clean.

He plays a lot, but he’s quietened down now – isn’t in a perpetual frenzy. He was really a livewire on Saturday.

I have to run now. Will report again soon…. And thanks from all of us – Freddy is so great!

On 9 Sep, came this update:

Freddy’s definitely at home now – roaming very freely and asserting his preference for the kitchen counter vs the floor. He’s using his litter-box regularly and being very good about that aspect of his daily activities. He’s not keen at all on the Natural Balance food but I am persevering. I have come to the conclusion that, unknown to us, he has taken some degree in geometry. He singles out the triangular kibble (calsifer’s note: the kibble he was fed in the cattery) almost perfectly from the circular ones (Nat Balance). So many stories to tell you….

We have yet to visit, obviously. We hope to rectify the situation soon.

Cattery2: Ticked Tabbies, 13 Jul 08

More kitties of the cattery on Sun, 13 Jul. This time, all agouti tabbies and roomies.

Boston

Boston foreground, Gin Gin background (calsifer: I just know there’s a LOL caption waiting to burst out)

Freddy left, Boston (again) right

Apple Pie left, (and yes) Boston right

Beside a knack for photo-moments, Boston seems to be Mr Congeniality, getting the kitty version of buddy hi-fives on with the big Apple and (bigger than him) Freddy. But a closer look at his posture shows that he’s a bit subordinate/wary of the close contact. Why then did he place himself into such a situation? Well, Boston’s quite an active energetic young male and has aspirations up the hierarchy, and so he likes to be in the same space as the two big boys. But he hasn’t been able to overcome the sheer force of Apple nor power himself past Freddy, and it’s been stalemate central for quite a while.

Boston used to get on Frankie‘s nerves too (Frankie used to hold regular staredowns with Apple initially but since they signed gentleman accords some months back, both studiously avoid being near each other’s tails).

Boston has since wised up and takes care to leave Mr ARF Cat alone. But he does have at least one success under his paw: he is an avid and accomplished Freda stalker-bully.

Freda, 13 Jul 08

Freda, homeseeker.

She has to be caged when no one is around to supervise as she is so timid that she constantly gets bullied.

When we opened her cage door, it took her nearly twenty minutes to decide that she would like to be out of it.

One of her undecided moments.