The Goddesses welcome Teresa Medeiros!

Jun 11th 2007
Guest GoddessWhen Goddesses Fall To Earth

70 Responses to “The Goddesses welcome Teresa Medeiros!”

1. Karen Rose on 11 Jun 2007 at 11:26 pm #

   Welcome, Teresa! Your kitty picture is precious! But I do see what you mean about the serial killer glare. Weird.

   After 18 years of dog ownership (we used to show Bearded Collies), we welcomed a cat into our household after our last Beardie went to doggie heaven. We adopted Bella, a 10 pound tortoise-shell kitty, from the animal shelter and we love her! (She played a starring role in one of my books, even.) We’ve thought about bringing another kitty in to be her friend, but she seems happy with us.

   Someday I’d like to get another dog, but I wonder what Bella will do. I’ve put off thinking about it as I’m a little worried she’d get scared and hide under the bed and we’d never see her again!

2. gannon on 11 Jun 2007 at 11:54 pm #

   Hi Teresa! It’s so nice to have a former Squawker here. I really miss you ladies. I’m so glad the Goddesses are here–don’t ever think about leaving cyberspace, Goddesses!

   We have a two year old cat, Mr. Bean. He is a love bunny, who is currently being spoiled rotten by the girls at the vet office while we drive cross country to our new home. Mr. Bean will be flying next week, probably sedated.

   We are getting a Golden Retriver puppy in December, and I have a feeling that our Mr. Bean will have a his nose out of joint for awhile. After all, how could we even think about bringing some noisy ball of fur home, when we have HIM!! We have lots of love to go around. Somehow, I think they may be friends in the end. At least that’s what I tell myself.

3. ladydawgfan on 11 Jun 2007 at 11:56 pm #

   That is one ADORABLE kittie!!! She looks like she might make a run for “Queen of the House!!”

   As for my own pets, although we haven’t ever introduced another pet into the household when there have been pets already around, about two years ago, we brought in our own kittens, Pebbles and Bam Bam, a brother and sister pair. They were very timid, hid for the first couple of days, and then explored their new home VERRRRRY carefully, and then only when “the big noisy two-footed giants” weren’t around. They are 2 years old now and extremely goofy, and we love them to pieces!!!

4. Brandy on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:56 am #

   Awwww, Buffy is adorableI have 7 cats and haven’t gotten them all in one sitting, so we are used to intorducing new cats to older ones already established in our home. Our latest cutie, Athena (aptly named) reared on her hind legs and hissed at the others as they crowded around her to get a sniff. We still giggle thinking about the tiny 6 week old kitten taking them all on! And yes, 7 is quite alot of furbabies, but we love them all!
   Good luck and Congratulations on the addition to the family.

5. Sue A. on 12 Jun 2007 at 2:54 am #

   The only time we had to introduce another animal into the household was when we were asked to temporarily house a relative’s kitten. It was a difficult few days for sure as our mature cat spent the whole visit fending off the unwanted attention of the kitten. Our cat would hiss and take a defensive stance when in the company of the kitten and the kitten was totally impervious to it all and would just pounce on our cat. I thought our cat was being territorial but on hindsight I realised it was just plain terrified of the kitten.

   My suggestion is to borrow someone’s pet and test the waters so to speak. Our cat was never socialized as the previous owner kept it indoors as a single pet. Also when picking a second pet you might want to pick one with a matching personality and temperment. Our sedate cat did not like the antics of the overly hyper kitten and I think she was on her guard the whole time we had the kitten.

6. MizMacgyver on 12 Jun 2007 at 5:53 am #

   We had our Pounce, rescued from the shelter from the time he was 10 weeks old, then we got another male, Peanut, rescued from even going to the shelter. We thought Pounce needed companionshiop, he didn’t. Peanut immediately became the Alpha male as he wasn’t uh, “fixed” and Pounce was. We had a rough week but it did work out, then we lost Peanut, he went to kitty heaven and broke everyone’s heart including Pounce. Me being a single mom working outside the house and concerned with how Pounce was dealing with the loss thought maybe we should get another cat, so I asked around and of course found another kitten. Angel came into our lives and Pounce thought maybe he was now a mother. Angel didn’t think so. Pounce is an indoor/outdoor cat and seemed to be staying out more and more, mostly because as soon as he came in the door she attacked. He was three times her size but wanted to nurture, not wrestle. continued…

7. MizMacgyver on 12 Jun 2007 at 6:00 am #

   next came Slate, solid gray with funky yellow eyes that can look right through you. He was brought in to keep Angel company so Pounce could eat without a kitten attached to him somewhere with little claws. We kept losing him, he would just blend into the shadows and corners and be very, very still. I spent a couple of weeks in a tiz because I couldn’t find this cat that thought his name should be Shadow. The moral to the story is, they will get along….eventually. Now Pounce and Slate trade off the Alpha role and Angel, well….she is queen of the house and they both know it. Slate is huge but he doesn’t seem to know it, he is bigger than both of the other cats but he is my loving one. Pounce is loving only when you have food in your hand and Angel is loving only when I am in a hurry. Of course waking in the middle of the night with pale yellows eyes staring you in the face can be disconcerting but you adapt.

8. cail on 12 Jun 2007 at 7:38 am #

   that’s the cutest kitten picture ever. i haven’t had any recent additions to the household for that very reason. i don’t think they’d be very happy adjusting. we used to have birds which were pretty easy to incorporate into the house but my bird days are long gone- they just get sick too easily when people watch them when you’re out of town.

9. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 7:44 am #

   Good morning guys! Aren’t the Goddesses a wonderful group? I’m so thrilled that they’ve opened up their mountain to me today.

   And I should have been more clear. The pic is of our NEW kitty Samantha, who we brought home late Sunday afternoon AFTER I wrote the blog. Buffy is a little gray fluffball. Together I think they’re going to make a gorgeous pair (You can find pics of Buffy in my Pet Gallery at http://www.teresamedeiros.com )

   (But yes, Karen, it did worry me a little when Samantha gave me that same Ted Bundy look as Buffy. Eeek!)

   I’m loving all of the tips on introducing a new pet! Keep ‘em coming!

10. Crystal B. on 12 Jun 2007 at 7:58 am #

    What a cute kittie. We have the most laid back cat. When we got our German Shepherd puppy, he didn’t hiss or act defensive. He just tolerates her until she becomes too aggressive. We often find them lying on the porch together. My husband loves to take pictures of them napping together.

11. Shannon Upright on 12 Jun 2007 at 7:58 am #

    The kitten is soooo adorable. I love the name of your other cat btw. Buffy The Vampire Slayer is my all time fave show.

    Advice for new animals… patience and persistence. Also add in a lot of love and you will be off to a great start. Good Luck!

    Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

12. elsiehogarth on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:12 am #

    Hi Teresa! Samantha is adorable. Don’t be jealous she will have lots of love to spread evenly around.

    I was dog sitting, this weekend, “the kids”(nephews & niece) dog Buddy. He’s a great guard dog for a Bichon/Poodle but suffers from family separation anxiety. Starring out the window and looking towards the door for sight of his family, barking at anyone walking on his street or sidewalk, barking at any bird that lands on his property but really goes insane when the friendly squirrel comes right up to the door(due to Jeffrey feeding him by hand since he was 4) to see what all the fuss is about. He gets angrier whenever the squirrel brings his friend to check out the lunatic dog. Due to his anxieties he will have accidents (PP), in the 2 bathrooms, and each time, since I never look down and happen to be in socks or barefoot my feet get wet. It’s always fun with Buddy.

13. Sabrina Jeffries on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:22 am #

    Hi, Teresa! (waving madly) We’re delighted to have you here, even if you ARE flaunting your cute little kitten in front of those of us who are cat-less. I toy with the idea of having a cat again from time to time, then remember how much work they require (all that feeding and stuff) and decide against it. But yours is adorable!

14. ms. mary on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:37 am #

    Congrats on the kitty Teresa! We have both, dog and cat, and cats are a breeze compared to the dog, which as I sit here and type is barking out back at the birds..she’s part beagle, so I guess this is something she’ll never outgrow.. I’m not much of a pet person, but I love our kitty, she is cuddly, and only slightly testy..she was the stray someone through out, as she is all black (we found her at Halloween) with green eyes, scary, sometimes!
    Hey Gannon! what’s up?

15. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:40 am #

    It’s Introduction Day! Samantha is hiding under the couch while Buffy crouches beside it and stares daggers at her. I need to rescue Samantha and tuck her back in the bathroom so I can go for a bike ride but first I have to coax her into coming out. Ah, the drama!

16. Julia London on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:53 am #

    Teresa, Welcome to Mt. Olympus! It’s so cool to see you here.

    That is a lot of cats.

    I have always had dogs. My sister has a cat. She put in a cat door. At least weekly, if not more often, they laugh at all the creatures Sam drags in, half dead, to play with. Birds. Lizards. Snakes.

    I can’t have a cat. Ever. I can hardly kill scorpions by myself, much less half-dead birds, lizards, and snakes.

    Don’t let Buffy and Samantha be critter killers!!

17. ellie on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:00 am #

    Samanatha is precious. We have a Maltese who is adorable and sweet. He is a prince. A few months ago we decided to obtain a new sidekick, A cute, small, mix, Corgi, collie and he is Bogie. Guido, is not pleased.

18. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:06 am #

    Not to worry, Julia! Buffy and Samantha will be strictly indoor cats so the only critters they’ll get to kill will be the occasional water bug. Yes, I have to confess that Buffy the Mouse Slayer has never so much as glimpsed a mouse. I’m just hoping she won’t mistake tiny little Samantha for one!

    Every time Buffy crept toward the bathroom door to glare at Samantha last night, I gave her a treat, hoping it would give her a positive association with the new kitty. Then it occurred to me that it might just make her associate the new kitty with food. Ooops!

19. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:07 am #

    Sabrina,
    We’ve been “dogless” for about four years for the same reasons. We love dogs but they’re just SO much more work than cats! I’m sure we’ll get another one someday to make us feel either very young or very old but for now I’m contenting myself with obsessively watching THE DOG WHISPERER.

20. RachelG on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:31 am #

    It’s fab to see you on Mt. Olympus, Teresa! Congratulations on the new baby. She’s beautiful.

    I suffer a deep and unrequited love for my cat Anna. Like your cat Buffy, she prefers men and absolutely adores my son. She lays in his lap and sleeps on his bed and makes me very jealous.

    rachel

21. Michelle Buonfiglio on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:49 am #

    Hi, Terri, and hullo, Goddesses! What a lovely place you have here! Ooooo, new kittyyyy. mmmmm, I’m in Homer Simpson-like trance, cause I loves me some cats. I had five at one point, and actually worked at a cat hospital.

    I have no good advice on the introduction issue. The whole thing drives me crazy because I worry so much for whichever ends up being chased under the stove or bed, etc. But I love how little kitties’ whole bodies shake when they purr. Oh, enjoy your new little friend, Teresa!

22. Claudia Dain on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:53 am #

    What a doll Samantha is! I wouldn’t worry about that killer stare; don’t all cats practice that in utereo? I think it’s a defense mechanism and they are pretty good at scaring the ___ out of most other animals, including dogs.

    I can’t wait to hear how your day progresses as the cats figure out who they’re dealing with and negotiate for top ‘dog’ position.

    I had to laugh at your description of Mike and Buffy, “I Only Have Eyes for You” playing in the background. Isn’t that always the way?

23. Nicole Jordan on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:54 am #

    A huge welcome, Goddess Teresa! We’re honored to have a former Squawker here, esp since y’all wrote the book on group blogs. Here at Mt Oly we’ve tried hard to live up to your Olympian-like standards!

    Your new kitty is precious. And I think your Scruff of the Neck thing might work in helping her realize you’re her new mom. I just got a new horse 3 weeks ago (although she doesn’t live at home) and I had to establish myself as the alpha mare right away — which actually helped my new mare feel safe and part of a natural order. You might want to lick your new kitty’s face to groom her, too. *g*

    Also, we’d love to hear about your new book!

    NicoleJ

24. Dena on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:21 am #

    Hi Teresa, I was just over at your blog looking at Samantha. She is adorable! Hopefully Samantha will be your chest wamer since Buffy is your hubby’s. All our animals follow my sister around and constantly lay on her.The dog will want me to give her a scratch and loving only when my sister isn’t around! It’s so annoying. About introducing new animals,it’s different with every animal. When we brought home our grey tabby Bailey at the time we had two other calico cats,mom & daughter,that groomed and slept together all the time. When Bailey came in she got a very Rude welcome.The other cats hissed at her and the daughter Booboo would swipe at her and be mean constantly. It’s been 8 years and Booboo still doesn’t like her! Precious and Bailey would play a little and get along okay. Neither of them would groom her or sleep with her still, After Precious passed away in December I hoped that Booboo would be more affectionate but she hasn’t,poor bailey.She does love us and we give her loving.

25. Lori Banissi on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:24 am #

    Hi Teresa!

    Gorgeous calico! and those electric blue eyes! I’m sure Buffy will be a bit, *ahem* Territorial for a while. But if you make this one “yours”, she might decide that she likes not having to share your husband…hehe

    My dog never quite realized he was, in fact….a DOG. He thought he was one of us, so another animal was just a “pet” to him!

    Go rescue your sweetie Samantha…. and try not to get cat poop on you!

    Take care, my friend!

    Lori (you know me! haha)

26. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:24 am #

    Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody! It’s so much fun seeing all of these familiar names from Squawk. (Teresa frantically waves and blows kisses.)

    Rachel, isn’t it funny how cats so often favor a specific gender? We’ve had two cats that just loved men and the cat I just lost–Queenie–always preferred women (including me, thank goodness!)

27. Lismore on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:36 am #

    Good luck with the new addition to the family. I love cats, alas my allergies do not. We have a shitzu that can’t decide if he is a cat or a golden retriever.
    He follows the sun around all day in the house, finding the best snooze spot, but at night he brings all of his toys to to play catch/fetch.

    I agree about picking up a cat by the skin. I am convinced it hurts them. My husband grew up with barn cats and says that’s how you are supposed to pick them up. Still can’t do it.

28. zambonigirl on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:38 am #

    Firstly-OMG! What a cute little kitty! She’s definitely a sweetheart.

    My kitty died nearly two years ago. I had her and a bird. Rain is convinced that he’s a cat, not a bird, because of my little kitty. He’s really funny because he hates flying. After all, he never saw Whiskers fly.

    After the cat died, I went through a deep period of mourning where all my friends tried to convince me to get a new cat, but I couldn’t because I loved Whiskers way too much, and she is irreplaceable. So, a few months went by and my mom suggested that I adopt a guinea pig from the local rescue. I thought about it for a long time, and kept an eye on the adoption site, weighing the pros and cons.

    Last January, I was accepted to adopt a little yellow piggy who was named Lemon Meringue Pie. Gah! I told the foster mother that he would be renamed Woodstock. She pointed out that guinea pigs are herd animals, and that I’d probably have a happier pig if I adopted two instead of just one.

    TBC

29. Brandy (twolilhahas) on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:39 am #

    Hi Teresa,
    I posted at your blog about your kitty last night, but she’s worth another post here. She’s beautiful! It was the strangest thing, when I got pregnant with my first daughter I completely lost the ability to have animals. It must be some strange hormone thing, but ever since then, the idea of something really furry rubbing on me or the kids just creeps me out. Luckily, six years later, I’m getting a little better about it. Little Samantha makes me want to reach out and give her a little pat. lol That’s progress for me. Like I said on your page, I love her name. I immediately thought of “Breath of Magic.”

30. Brandy (twolilhahas) on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:46 am #

    Teresa,
    This is off topic. My best friend and I waited forever for “The Vampire Who Loved Me” to come out. She ordered me a copy and I checked the mail every day. Then I went to Publix and there it sat on the shelf. I was like, “What do I do? Wait? Impossible!” So, I bought it…knowing mine was coming in the mail. Then I felt too guilty to read it because I was sort of ruining the spirit of giving and all by not being able to wait. When my best friend called me up, I was like, “I couldn’t wait. I bought a copy, but I’m going to bring it to you.” So that’s what I did. I took it to her and got my copy in the mail the next day. It was worth the wait. I mean SOOOO worth the wait.

31. dbrown3400 on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:46 am #

    Welcome Teresa to you and Samantha. I noticed no home address was posted so I could skulk over and steal her away. You are right about the gender business. All cats we’ve had favored me. I thought it was my charming personality but now that I hear it’s universal, I’m crushed. The last cat I owned was a beautiful silver tabby, a stray. I understand that is an unusual breed so I’m surprised we found her wandering around.

    My fear came with the first dog I owned. She was a pure-bred Miniature Schnauzer, Wilhelmina Spritz, or Spritzy to her closest friends. She was papered, no, not the kind we trained her on, and a beautiful animal. The problem arose when we brought Quincy the cat home to meet Spritzy. Not a pleasant environment at first with the hissing and barking for one was still a confused pup. We solved the issue by separating them by a door until they became “acquainted.” It seemed to work as they became fast friends.

    Donna

32. zambonigirl on 12 Jun 2007 at 10:47 am #

    Cont’d

    So, I opted for two instead of one, a Snoopy to go with my Woodstock.

    Rain, who had been for months my only pet and my greatest “consolation” in the loss of my cat (and by “consolation, I mean that he sat on the edge of my dinner plate at night and ate my food before taking a bath in my water glass), was intrigued when I started building a cage in my room. http://pics.livejournal.com/zambonigirl/pic/0004×2rp

    I think he thought it was for him. He still kind of does.

    When I showed up with the pigs? Oh, heaven help us! He turned positively GREEN.

    Snoopy is very vocal, always has been, and Rain would cuss him out if he squeaked too much. This would cause Snoopy to retaliate by growling at him. The two eye each other constantly with mistrust. http://pics.livejournal.com/zambonigirl/pic/00087gsd

    They are all extremely jealous of each other, and the pigs are actually afraid of the bird. I think it’s because he told them that he’s a cat.

33. SuzyQ on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:00 am #

    Hello Teresa! Congrats on your new kitty - how adorable. Unfortunately, I can’t have pets because of family members being allergic. I grew up with dogs, but I love all kinds of animals. Right now, the closest thing I have to a pet (besides fish) is the raccoons that keep eating our garbage.

    As for advise, well, make sure you show Buffy a lot of love too. That way she won’t get jealous of the Samantha.

34. LeeAnn on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:01 am #

    HI Teresa!!!! Wow Samantha is just as cute today as she was yesterday when you first posted her pic. My cat is almost 13years old and only weighs about 6 pounds. She is supper tinny, most people think that she’s still a kitten. But she does have spunk and is my baby. She has gone trough two dogs and in the begging it was a little iffy for her but she got over it. She used to love to play with the puppies. And then when they got older it was really funny to watch them out in the yard. She would start to get into it with the neighbors cat and then would run and hid behind one of the dogs and would look out like ha ha try and get me now. Well I hope all works out between Buffy and Samantha. Good Luck!

35. DebMarlowe on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:06 am #

    Congrats Teresa, on the new addition to your family! I hope you have many happy snuggles together!

    Our cat thinks she’s a dog and chases other dogs out of our yard. The kids find this hilarious.

36. Stacy S on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:08 am #

    Welcome Teresa!! Cute kitty. I love cats, but can’t have them anymore. My son is allergic to them.

37. Di R on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:15 am #

    Congratulations on your new addition!! She is beautiful.

    Di

38. Helen K on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:24 am #

    I’m happy to hear I’m not the only one whose cat prefers their DH. We have both a cat and a dog and Sadie (the cat) definitely rules the house. She was 5 when we brought the 8 week lab puppy home. She still hits him when she feels he needs it.

    But, it’s my shoes she’ll punish when we upset her. It’s my ankles she’ll attack. It’s me who gets the Medusa stare. My Dh gets his head groomed, he gets a cat who purrs and curls up. He gets untouched shoes.

    Sigh, if I hadn’t found out 4 years after we got her that I was allergic to cats, I’d get another just to see if the new one could love me.

    Good Luck! I’m sure Buffy and Samantha will be fast friends by Friday.

39. Karen Hawkins on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:31 am #

    Hi Teresa! Ohhhh! WHAT A CUTE KITTY! And oh, Teresa, I feel your pain — my cat doesn’t like me. Never has. But oh, she looooves my dh. She is forever asking him for pets yet she pretends I don’t exist. The dog prefers my dh, too, but at least he’s polite about it.

    Gee, none of my animals prefer me. Sigh. How lowering! Now I know what it feels like to live with Dr. Doolittle.

    Our dog is a rescue dog and I have to say we were anxious when we brought him home. But it’s worked out GREAT and now I can’t imagine life without him! Check back in and tell us how the Buffster is doing, please!

40. Lori Barnes on 12 Jun 2007 at 11:52 am #

    Hi Teresa, First off let me say I LUV YA!!! o kay since that’s out of the way What a adorable kitty This cat that took up at our house a couple of weeks ago has been declawed and my indoor cats are super jealous so for now i’ve made the outside cat a little house to get in and keep her fed and watered. This morning i found something very strange especially since she’s been declawed i found a perfectly clean small wing, a clean leg w/foot attached and a clean heart okay i was a little freaked out by this especially the way she looked at me when i was looking at it like she done that for me as a gift which it felt like it held a meaning as crazy as it sounds but i have never recieved a heart from any of my animals before can you shed some light on this? I have several of your books and another lady i think is totally awsome is Karen Hawkins i saw her reply on here too how good than that get!!! If you’re still reading i love you too Karen and your last book and the others as well!! Lori

41. Lili on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:03 pm #

    Hi, Teresa!
    I love the new kitty, she’s adorable and such big blue eyes! I hope you get the devotion from Samantha you wish Buffy had!

    Glad to see you blogging, if only as a guest, I really miss you squawkers!

    Lil

42. OV_099 on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:19 pm #

    I never had to introduce any pets to others. . . we had, not at the same time, two hamsters, one parakeet and one kitty. Well, we have had the Kitty through parts of all of them, but one hamster came after the other. . . and we kept the hamsters away from the cat since the hamsters would be little toys and the parakeet (who died not that long ago. . . but we did have him for a long time, so it was bound to happen) didn’t even phase the cat. She never noticed him. The parakeet, noticed the cat, but only ever stayed quiet. LOL

    Lois

43. foreverdelayed on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:30 pm #

    Hi Theresa,
    I already gushed over the new kitty over on your blog.(I am Samantha) I just wanted to let you know how happy I am to see you blogging with the Goddesses.

44. Suzanne Enoch on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:36 pm #

    If cats would stay kittens, I would have them everywhere, like Captain Kirk’s tribbles. *g* Alas, my finches were here first.

    So, Teresa, I get where the name Buffy the Mouse Slayer came from. What was the inspiration for Samantha?

45. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:36 pm #

    Brandy,
    Love THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME story! I always tell people that if you get an extra copy or get an autographed copy later, just pass on the other one. Spread the joy! Try to get them hooked! My dad has been known to hand out my books to complete strangers at Minit Marts and beauty shops

    And I’m loving all of these wonderful animal stories! Let’s hear it for the versatile guinea pig!

46. Carol M on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:52 pm #

    Samantha is sooooo cute! Congratulations, Teresa!

    We lost two cats in the last year and I’ve been just sick about it. I didn’t think we would get another one. However, last week we brought home three cats!
    I must be crazy! One is a two year old that lived in the vet’s office and needed a home. She never got picked up and gets upset if we try. She does like to rub against us and petting her is fine. Not only does she have to adjust to us and a new home but to the two eleven week old kittens that we adopted the same day. They are brother and sister and they didn’t want to separate them. I set up a nursery in the spare bedroom for them and we are slowly trying to get them adjusted to each other. We let Max and Mindy out to play with Maggie but she isn’t interested. Mostly she just looks at them running around. She did try to swat at them a few times when they got close. Today Max tried to sneak up on her but when she turned and looked at him he just backed away! lol

47. kimber on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:58 pm #

    Hi Teresa, your new kitty is just too cute!!
    It is always interesting when bringing home a new member of the family. When I brought home my first Jack Russell and introduced him to the two Pomeranians that we had, he lined them up like soldiers and proceded to tell them that he was the new boss in the house. We all thought it was so funny, except for the cat who yawned and walked away to plot revenge. Eventually every one became friends.
    BTW, can’t wait for your new book!

48. Ladytink_534 on 12 Jun 2007 at 12:58 pm #

    Hi Teresa! I had been thinking about getting my skinny little black cat Jarren a friend to play with since she’s an indoors kitty and Queen of the House. One day on our way to the grocery store my husband swung off the main road and down a side street. Wouldn’t tell me where we were going no matter how much I begged! About 10 minutes later I realized we were going to the animal shelter so of course I started to get excited. We both swore up and down we were going to get a kitten. That is until we walked in and saw the HUGE (bigger than most Chihuahuas) yellow-orange cat that looked like it had makeup around it’s eyes. I looked everyone else over but she was the one who we kept coming back to. Have you ever met an cat that just wants you to pet her 24/7? I swear she’s part dog. We brought her home named her Sunshine and our other cat HATED her. We had to keep them seperated for two weeks but finally we let them around each other while I supervised. Continued below….

49. Brandy (twolilhahas) on 12 Jun 2007 at 1:02 pm #

    It was really strange, too. The copy I got in the mail…I guess it got hot in shipment, and the cover came off. I loved it so much I lovingly glued it back together. lol We’re constantly passing our “Teresa books” back and forth. I’ve finally read all but three. Yay!

50. Ladytink_534 on 12 Jun 2007 at 1:04 pm #

    Sorry about that!
    … It took about 2 months altogether before Jarren was willing to play with Sunshine. (Oops forgot to mention that Sunshine loves everyone and had tried to be friends with Jarren since the day we brought her home) Then she’d get upset because she thought she was bigger than Sunshine and when they wrestled Sunshine always proved her wrong (even though 9 times out of 10 it was Jarren who initiated the game she was also the one who ran away sulking afterwards!). Well although they still do that, for the most part they love each other and will even clean each other. You just have to take it one step at at time!

51. PJ on 12 Jun 2007 at 1:28 pm #

    Hi Teresa!

    I’ve been lurking over here on the mountain but your precious little Samantha…oh, and you too!…have lured me into the light. Thank you to the fabu goddesses for having you here today!

    I’m a dog girl (allergic to the kitties) and have had the dubious pleasure of introducing new puppies to the pack three times. Bandit was part yellow lab, part travelin’ man and we rescued him early in our marriage. He was an only fur child until his 11th year when we moved to another state and rescued Smokey, a 10 week chocolate lab from the shelter. Bandit was old and barely left his pillow, Smokey was non-stop energy and I was questioning my sanity but it all worked out. Bandit gradually lost his reserve and accepted the new little upstart. They were never best friends but got along well and Bandit regained his zest for life and lived another three years, mostly due to Smokey IMO.

52. PJ on 12 Jun 2007 at 1:37 pm #

    Part two…

    Six months after Bandit died we thought Smokey needed a playmate so again off we went to the shelter and brought home Velvet, a black lab puppy.
    Apparently Smokey didn’t share the same thoughts about what she needed. For the first two months I didn’t dare leave them alone. Even when I was in the room I thought they were going to kill each other. The trainer told me they were establishing rank within the pack and if they didn’t draw blood to leave them alone. Oh yeah, that made me feel much better…NOT! lol
    By the third month they had established who was boss and started to play together, even (dare I hope?) like one another. By the six month mark they were inseparable. I couldn’t even take one to the vet without taking them both. Smokey took her job as “mom” very seriously. If a dog show was on the big screen TV she would place herself between the TV and Velvet to protect Velvet from the other dogs. lol

53. Minna on 12 Jun 2007 at 2:37 pm #

    It’s been years, since I’ve had any pets and I don’t really remember how old pets were introduced to new or visiting ones, but I do remember how my old cat taught some manners to my brother’s new dog with his claws when the dog came too close. My cat had to do it twice before the boneheaded dog learnt to keep his distance.

54. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 3:06 pm #

    That wasn’t your fault, Brandy! They shipped a bunch of books with defective covers when VAMPIRE came out. Avon was great about replacing a lot of them. I wish we would have known about yours when it happened. I was horrified even though it wasn’t my fault!

55. Haven Rich on 12 Jun 2007 at 4:26 pm #

    It’s funny that you mention cats preferring one over the other. For the longest time one of our male cats, Spike, loved the husband. Always laid about his legs while he read magazines. Then one day, he was suddenly my baby.

    Don’t know what happened but I had the traitor, as the hubby calls him. in my hands then. When I’d get sick, Spike would lay next to me and snuggle. If my stomach cramped up, he’d be my warm heat blanket to ease my pain. If I went into the hospital, he’d keep vigil by the window until my return. He even got a bit jealous of the husband and I, which earned him the title of my new b/f instead of traitor.

    Now that Spike is a bit older, now 4 y/o, he is still my baby, but he will sometimes lay by daddy and show him some love too. Just as long as daddy doesn’t annoy him with kisses..Spike HATES manly kisses.

    As for the other members of our fuzzy group, they’ve pretty much split up into groups. My husband has “his children” and I have “my children”.

56. goddess2574 on 12 Jun 2007 at 4:35 pm #

    I can honestly say that we don’t have any pets. I know I know. With 3 kids pets just don’t seem to fit into the picture. However, I love animals, and my parents have dogs. We had 2 Westies while I was growing up and was home when our male passed away. It still makes me cry. I do remember bringing home the dog my parents have now and how i just couldn’t wait to get off work and go and see her everyday. We still tell funny stories about her when she was a puppy, and every time we do she just gives us this look like, “You have no idea what stories I’d tell if i could.” Love your books Teresa and can’t wait for many many more!!!

57. Darla on 12 Jun 2007 at 4:48 pm #

    We recently (4 months ago) got a mini Australian Shephard/Nurf (Son named him after the nurf toys). All my life we’ve had big dogs, so this is quite a change. We also already have two dogs, a 6 year old Golden Retriever/Lego, and a 5 year old mix breed/Bear. They both weigh in at 75 lbs or more.

    When we brought Nurf home he weighed 4-6 lbs and he was two months old, so I worried and worried about the big dogs using him as a chew toy. But after giving it some time hes the one that used the bigger ones as a chew toy. Its so funny to see them run and play.

    As a matter of fact I won the Best in Show picture contest that Vicki Lewis Thompson ran just a month ago. You can see Nurf here. http://www.vickilewisthompson.com/evephotocontest.html

    Enjoy your new kitty!

58. PJ on 12 Jun 2007 at 5:14 pm #

    Darla, it’s nice to meet Nurf’s mommy. He’s such a cutie. I voted for him!

59. Barbara Elness on 12 Jun 2007 at 6:04 pm #

    I had a lovely cat named Catalina who preferred my son to me, and when he moved out I decided she needed a companion. I adopted a large male named Charlie from the shelter I volunteered at, and she hated him on site. So much for a companion. There was another cat at the shelter that Charlie had grown up with that never got adopted, so a year later, I brought her home too. I figured at least he should have a companion, and Grace and Charlie are the best of friends. Unfortunately, Catalina never learned to like either one of them, but they all managed to coexist until I lost Catalina last year. I’m sticking with the two that like each other, there’s more peace and quiet in the house!
    Samantha is such a cutie, that was always my favorite time at the shelter, when the little kittens came in and I got to play with them. I hope you enjoy all that new kitty motherhood brings with your precious little one.

60. Brandy (twolilhahas) on 12 Jun 2007 at 6:55 pm #

    I was just really glad I had glue around the house that day! lol It’s all better.

61. Maureen on 12 Jun 2007 at 6:57 pm #

    My husband would always talk to the cat sternly while looking in her eyes face to face. She wouldn’t make a sound but still did exactly what she wanted.

62. Kasey on 12 Jun 2007 at 7:30 pm #

    Hi Teresa! Sorry I haven’t commented earlier but I was gone today. I just wanted to say congrats on your new kitty. She looks adoranble. I have a dog myself that we got when I was 14 (he is 12 now) and he still lives on my parents farm. I miss him so much. I would get a pet myself but my apartment doesn’t allow them. Next time I move - I am going to make sure they allow pets because I miss having one around all the time.

63. Teresa Medeiros on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:02 pm #

    Congratulations to Donna (dbrown3400)! You just won an autographed copy of THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME! If you’ll send your snail mail addy to: teresa@teresamedeiros.com I’ll get your book in the mail.

    And thanks to all the Goddesses and everyone who posted, old friends and new, for making me feel so welcome today! I loved hearing about all of your fur-babies

    Hugs,
    Teresa

64. Stephie on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:09 pm #

    I remember when I brought Phoebe home to meet Augustus. She was this sweet little kitten, he was a grouchy old cat… He was really mean to her at first, but she wore him down and eventually he tolerated her presence and her licks and cuddles. I think he even got so he liked it some of the time. At least he stopped glaring.

65. Paula on 12 Jun 2007 at 8:32 pm #

    We have 3 wonderful cats. Ming, our 10 yr old male. Phyllis our 5 yr maine coon. And one crazy 1 yr old that just showed up one day.

    Most days they are totally loved. Until my poor hubby steps on a hair ball in the middle of the night. Then I have to stop him from wanting to murder one of them, lol.

    Pets give every house an extra presence that isn’t always there without them

    Paula

66. cousin it on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:09 pm #

    Theresa, little Samantha is sooooo cute. I like it that she is a big mouth then she can tattle on Buffy when she picks on her.
    My biggest challenge in introducing a new animal into the household was when I brought home a little street kitty Siamese mix we named Sid to meet our 80lb+ retired racing Greyhound, Skiddy.
    I put Sid in Skiddy’s dog crate with food, water and a box and then let Skiddy come in the room to investigate. Skiddy sniffed around until something exploded in his crate. He looked into the window and got that blank “I gotta have it” stare. You know like the one Teresa got when she first got a load of Russell Crowe geared out in all his Gladiator finery.
    Hours passed and Skiddy stared and poor little Sid growled and stared back but eventually they got bored. No one chased anyone and everyone got to look their fill and decide that cats are not that exciting and large pointy nosed dogs aren’t that scary.
    They lived happily together many years. I have pictures of little kitten Sid sharing dinner with Skiddy grabbing huge pieces of dog kibble and gnawing on them.
    We don’t have any cats now. One of my children is allergic. We just got two Catahoula Leopard Hound pups from rescue in April. They are such cute babies even though they still sometimes leave me presents on the floor(and it’s nowhere near as nice as bird parts).

67. Kay on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:16 pm #

    Welcome, Theresa.

    Congrats on your cute new addition. Our cats are 18 and 8, so it has been a looong time since we have had a kitten. It sounds like so much fun.

    We introduced a new dog three years ago. Since both of our cats are tabbies, but only one tolerates dogs, it took the dog (a sheltie named Wynda) a while to learn which was the “nice kitty” and which one was dangerous. LOL The 18 year old (Angel) is the dangerous one. She rules the house and we are greatful she lets us serve her.

    I suggest many bribes of treats to encourage the kitten to be “yours.”

68. catslady on 12 Jun 2007 at 9:41 pm #

    How adorable! I too am to get a new kitten any day and he’ll be my 7th lol. All have been ferals or strays and if I started with my stories I would be here forever. My best advice is just give them enough time to get used to any other pets - some will end up good buddies, some will ignore each other and unfortunately some will never be friends. Did you know this was adopt a cat month?

69. Ronlyn on 13 Jun 2007 at 11:58 am #

    I’m late on the comment, but I have to giggle and jump in. Our cat, Stormy, merely tolerates me. She LOVES my husband, gives him kisses and love bites whenever he’s within reach. When our son was born (he’s 3 1/2 now) she checked him out, deemed him worthy of her affection and proudly began to dote on her boy. If he cried she’d attack me until I made him stop. Now, she follows him around and must check on him every night when he’s sleeping. Me? She’ll sit and stare me down until I refill her food dish. Like I said, she merely tolerates me because I’m the package deal wtih her guys. At least she’s smart enough to realize it.

70. TinaLouiseF on 14 Jun 2007 at 2:23 am #

    Geez, I’m two days late.

    Our momma Kitty hated dogs. When we got our first dog, she couldn’t understand why the cat didn’t like her. It took Kitty a few years before she would tolerate the dog.

    On the next round of pets the dog and cats were babies together. The dog thought she was a cat.