Trauma Healing

Bobber and I have really made progress today. And it’s so strange how it just suddenly happened.

My brother came down to visit for the night. He brought his dog with him this time. It’s a bigger dog; Akita/Shepard? I know it’s part Akita for sure anyway.

I’ve read about Akita’s, as I thought to get one long ago. But their temperament doesn’t really jive with kids. They pretty much think they’re the boss. My brother’s dog certainly thinks that.

Anyway, I was at work when he got to my place, so I didn’t have a chance to warn my cat of an intruder. My brother told me when he first walked in the door the cat kind of greeted him, until he saw the dog. After that he went directly under my bed, not to be seen again. My brother felt bad, so he left after about an hour of me being home.

I waited until the house was completely quiet, like it normally is, and eventually Bobber came out. He was acting really weird. He was sniffing everything, which isn’t really so unusual. Especially since my brother’s dog was laying on Bobbers bed. But the weird thing about it is he came to me looking for affection. Now that was new behavior. I think he was thankful I came home and he wasn’t left to fend for himself. I personally wasn’t too worried. I know the dog’s temperament. Yes, he’s big and nosey, but he listens fairly well. Anyway, my brother only stayed an hour after I got home, then packed up his bag and dog and left. I was kinda bummed about that, but I also felt bad for my cat. I knew he would be a permanent fixture under my bed until they were gone. There would be no bribing, no nice talk, no begging.

And that little stinker, I was doing a craft on the floor tonight while he sat watching. After a little bit of time he decided he was going to just casually check out the items I was working with. But he seemed way too interested so I shooed him away, I didn’t want him getting into stuff he shouldn’t be. That little bugger, as he backed up he gave me the stink eye and slapped at me with a look of contempt in his eyes. He was displaying his predator instinct. He absolutely wanted to know what I was up to (actually more like what he could mess with).

I don’t know that Bobber will ever get rid of whatever PTSD he is suffering from. He still jumps whenever I move. If I move too fast he heads for the under my bed. I also noticed that he pays a lot of attention to my feet; watching their movements. When I move a foot it startles him and he watches it. I think he’s been kicked a lot.

Oh, I’m also wondering if this guy has some kind of seizure disorder. It’s hardly noticeable, but sometimes he seems…. Off in the distance. It’s like playing a game of checkers with him and he keeps zoning out, then eventually looks at me like “What are we doing?”.

My heavenly cat, Peter started having seizures after he got lost for a while and was finally found. I can’t remember how many weeks later he was spotted at somebody’s house digging in the trash and eating out of empty tuna cans. I put a missing cat poster in the Vets office in town. Somebody saw it and told the vet and the vet assistant informed me (she was my neighbor). I got the gals number and called. She was home and the cat was in the garage. He was about five miles west of me and in my detective work I came to the conclusion that he must have jumped on my husband’s (ex) truck trailer and took a ride, because that’s the area he was found around.

He was home maybe a week when he started having seizures . I couldn’t handle it. It was scary to watch and sad to have to deal with. I brought him to the vet for a check up and it was confirmed he was not well. I blame it totally on the truck drive. I’m not blaming my ex-husband for not noticing. My guess is Peter went up where it was warm and just took a ride. Unintentionally. It was winter time. And that’s one reason you shouldn’t have a cat that’s indoor/outdoor. I learned after that. Bobber does not go outside. That was the agreement I made with the rescue.