Meet Ivy
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I want you to meet Ivy. We’ve been home about an hour and a half. Ivy meowed on the way home and, once inside, began to explore the apartment.
I showed her her litter box, food, water, and bed. And her toys, of course.
Charlie is often right behind her, begging her to pay attention to him. She seems to think he’s a step stool and walks over him.
Please forgive the dirt in the above photo. Ivy decided to clean the dust, dirt, and cobwebs out from under the yellow pantry.
She has chewed on the computer cord and my hand. Then she decided to lie on my chest while I type, so I have to type with one hand while holding her up with the other.
She has batted her paws at the house plants. I’ll have to watch that or put the plants outside.
Ivy has typed much of this post for me, and I’ve had to delete it. I have learned to quickly hit save when I see her coming, or she will do all sorts of strange things to the computer as she walks across it.
She has capitalized the text, and then she zoomed my laptop screen to 200%.
Charlie wants so badly for her to be his friend, but he’s kind of afraid of her. He’s always been submissive toward other animals.
I went to pick her up at the animal rescue thrift shop. There were four cats in one room of the house, with everything they needed.
Choosing Ivy:
I had chosen Ivy online because, at 5 months old, she was the youngest of the four females. And my vet had suggested getting a young cat to acclimate to aging Charlie.
A dog freely walked around the thrift shop, in and out of all the rooms.
The woman in charge of this rescue told me I will have Ivy for two weeks before I pay or finalize the adoption. Every day, I am to email her to let her know how Ivy is doing and to send photos of her.
They want to be sure it is a good match.
I made up a little song about Ivy and kept saying her name and singing it over and over as I drove home.
She is very affectionate and sweet. I think she will settle in nicely with big brother, Charlie.
Charlie is back to trying to get her to acknowledge him. She doesn’t hiss at him or anything. I think they will be great friends. Eventually.
Charlie is Following Her Everywhere:
Ivy has checked out everything, and I do mean everything. She first went under the bed, but Charlie followed.
Yep, the plant is going to have to go outside where she can’t go. She is chewing on the ponytail palm, and we can’t have that.
Ivy loves to be petted and loved. It took her only about 15 minutes to acclimate to her new home. There’s just an occasional meow as she moves from room to room.
Charlie finally grew weary of following her and has backed himself into his spot on the couch on the left side of me as I type. Ivy has now lain down on the right side of me. Abi’s old spot.
She is going to need a scratching post, I can see.
Now she’s in the pothos plant and knocking things about. So I’m up and taking every single house plant outside. Had to nip that in the bud.
Charlie is So Excited:
Charlie is so excited he doesn’t know what to do with himself. I really think he needed a companion. Ivy likes his bed, as you can see.
She is now on my chest, so I’ll have to fix the typos.
If I don’t immediately pet her, she rubs her head against me until I do. It is clear that she has been loved and socialized and is not at all afraid.
Okay, I give up. Ivy is not going to let me type. She’s chewing the computer cord again.
So I’m off to pay attention to my babies.
Oh, I’m so happy for you and Charlie! It sounds everything is going to work out purrfectly.
Brenda, Ivy has found her forever home! She sounds delightful, and I love that Charlie is curious and excited about his new sister!
I do think you should let Ivy type us a little story. She just might be a good writer just like you!
The best to you and Charlie and your new addition!
Hugs, Peggy
Awww, that’s so sweet! It’s cute that Charlie is so excited and that she isn’t mean to him!
Tania
I do believe that Charlie and Ivy will become friends and that friendship will help him a lot. She is a beauty and you are very lucky to have found such a nice kitty. I also love her name! A fitting name for a plant lover like you.
Be careful about plants around cats. Some house plants can be toxic to cats. Poinsettias are one. I think the Humane Society has a list somewhere on their website. You could probably find that info are other cat sites as well.
Ivy is very cute! You and Charlie will love her!
Sounds like Miss Ivy comes from a good situation but now in an even better one… called home. Love that sweet Charlie is inquisitive but not aggressive. Hope they develop a grand friendship and enjoy each other’s company ❤️
So happy to hear Ivy has fit in so well and Charlie has accepted her. I know everyone would love to see Charlie and Ivy sleeping together. It is so adorable to see a kitty and doggy snuggled up together.
Again Congratulation on your new fur baby.. Have fun.
My heart is so happy right now. I loved everything about this post. Ivy is so beautiful and I love the pics of her and Charlie together. Can hardly wait for more to come ! So glad that things are going smoothly so far ( except for the poor plants and computer cord ! )
Sounds like Ivy is fitting right in already! That is SO neat… so good not to have to go through weeks and weeks of getting used to each other! Sounds like both Charlies and Ivy need each other! When we took in rescue kitties, they each had their own place to sleep, either on our bed or in a chair.. we would put a special blanket down for each one, and they got used to having their own. I think it’s good they can each have their own spot. I got a crocheted pink baby blanket from the thrift store for our first rescue girl, and 3 years later, it is still “hers” and she loves sleeping on it! Our second rescue (boy) kitty, has his own blanket on a different chair in the living room, and no one goes there but him. I remember both of them as kittens LOVED getting on my computer keyboard! And they loved sleeping on top of it as it was warm. I had to learn to close it when I left it, as invariably one or the other would walk on it and ruin whatever I was working on, or change all my desktop around, or something crazy. I also ended up making a spot for each one as a kitten, to lay down BESIDE the computer (not ON it!) and they could sleep there while I was working (I put down an old flannel pillow case for a little bed). It took awhile for them to learn not to walk on the keys, but they did learn. Now they always steer clear of it and daintily walk around the keys. They can learn certain things they are not supposed to do. Also… I gave up on house plants too, as they either dug in them, chewed them or knocked t hem off the window sill.. so no more house plants, except one that sits on top of the refrigerator! I’ve also learned they each like their own litter box, so good thing you only have one cat! I think Charlie and her are going to be fast friends… and sounds like YOU are smitten already!
I was so excited to read this post! It sounds like Ivy is doing great and I’m so glad that Charlie likes her. She has obviously been well socialized if she’s not hiding in a “strange” house. Uh oh, she’s just like Monkey who is always getting into my plants! I can’t tell you how many he has knocked over or chewed on. His favorites are spider plants so I’ve had to put those in places he can’t get to (on top of a stool, for example). I hope she does well with not bothering you at night and lets you sleep!
Brenda, I checked and I did miss your post yesterday. I looked at all the pictures of the kitties you posted of them at different ages. I’d forgotten how sweet they are when they are tiny. And I am curious about the color of Ivy’s eyes–from the photos they look to be grey. And I know that when kittens are tiny their eyes are a blue-grey color, but Ivy’s look like they are staying grey. They are very beautiful. She’s a keeper, for sure.
What a happy surprise! I must have missed a post because I had no idea you were thinking of adopting another pet. Ivy is a very pretty little girl and seems to have a dynamic personality! It sounds like Charlie is out of his mind with excitement and that they are really bonding. So cute that they exchange beds with each other. That’s a great sign of acceptance on both their parts I think.
You will be a little busier for a while until Ivy–what a nice name–is fully adjusted to her new home. But she isn’t wasting any time acting like she belongs with you and Charlie, is she? What a sweet picture the two of them cuddling with each other must make. I know we’ll see lots of the two of them and their antics from now on.
I think you made the right decision and luckily Ivy was the absolutely right choice. I think you all will be happy together. Congratulations, Brenda and Charlie! And Ivy!
She is a beautiful cat and appears to have a great temperament. So cool that she didn’t hiss ay Charlie. I love cats and miss mine. He’s been been gone 2 years this month. You are brave to choose a kitten. They can be rambuntious! Best wishes as allof you become friends!
How wonderful – she’s beautiful.
Ivy is such a charmer. We know who’s boss in your house, now, lol. Enjoy your first sleepover. Charlie is smitten, for sure. Hugs to all of you.
This was a very happy post and it’s a pleasure to read. I love that Charlie is doing so well with her. And Mama doesn’t sound too bad either!!!!!
Sounds like Ivy is a good fit. I couldn’t keep indoor plants when I had cats because they ate them and liked to eat cut flowers as well. They liked oat grass, that I grew for them. Charlie is such a good boy with Ivy! I really like the two week trial to allow time to know if a pet is a good fit. ?
Love it. Your story made me smile ear to ear. Sounds like she’s a keeper! Congrats.
Wonderful news & a truly lovely post! So happy for you all.
Andrea & Dash (rescue chiweenie)
Welcome to the family Ivy! Brenda I am so excited for your and Charlie! I am so looking forward to more tales of your adventures. I hope that she is Charlies’ companion!
Have a great weekend!
I’m so happy for you and Charlie!! I read your posts … but I’m not much of a commenter. However … animals always have my heart. I’m so glad you got Ivy … you will both enjoy her. I love cats and dogs together!
Oh boy, I am going to enjoy seeing photos of Miss Ivy! She looks pretty and curious, and it sounds like she is affectionate. If she gets along with Charlie, then, you definitely have found THE cat for your little cozy place. It sounds like you got her from a very good rescue facility. The only thing I’m worried about is the pink bed — how does it fit with your decor!?! Maybe Ivy and Charlie will be curling up together before long!
She is adorable! Sounds like she is well socialized and will be great friends with Charlie. So happy for all of you! Oh yes, Annie loves to eat my plants. I only have two inside now. I’m smiling at the walking across you and the computer, such a cat thing! Hugs!
So happy for you and Charlie! I love her name and I hope Ivy and Charlie will seal their friendship quickly!
Great news for you and Charlie. I know it is going to be quite delightful around the house! The wonderful new memories you shall make. Congrats to all.
What a lovely kitty, I didn’t expect her to be so big. I can tell she is going to be a handful! I am very pleased that Charlie seems to like her.