I just wanted to send an update your way on a cat, Marlowe, you had posted on Deaf Animal Row way back in July. I know that you already have him listed as "adopted," but I thought you might like a follow-up to know how he's doing. I'm a sucker for sappy cat stories, anyway!
I am so grateful to your website! I am hearing but had a deaf cat already in my home. He is seven years old and came from my aunt; it was always a family joke that as soon as I graduated from college and moved out of student housing, I would be given WC (short for "White Cat"; a lot of other names were tried out and they just didn't fit!). My aunt didn't feel like she could give WC enough attention because he's a very affectionate, clingy cat and she had a lot of other cats around. Her home is animal rescue central! Also, WC never really got along well with the other cats. They discovered that they could sneak up on him and were a little vicious about it, so when I took WC in July he became an only cat for the first time in his life. He and I latched onto each other 4 years ago when I moved to Kansas, and now we got to live together! Fantastic! He enjoyed the extra attention from me but would stand at the door and cry every morning when I left for work. So sad!
This is WC as an only cat.I decided that WC needed a companion, and that it might be a good idea to look for another deaf cat. I figured that even if they didn't understand their similarities, at least they'd be equally matched in stealth ability :) I found Marlowe on your website and didn't pursue it at first. After all, I live in Kansas and Marlowe was all the way in Tennessee! Still, Marlowe caught my eye because he looked so much like WC; even their eyes are the same color, on both sides! I eventually emailed Bruce Wilson, Marlowe's original rescuer, and was soon making plans to take a 3-day weekend to make the 900 mile drive to Tennessee to pick up Marlowe. I had to wait about a month for this to come up, but it was worth it! Marlowe has been nicknamed as Moe.
I was skeptical at first about how the two cats would get along. WC has never been close with any of the cats he's lived with. They usually tolerated each other but never played together, slept in the same area, etc, etc. It took some adjusting, but I am amazed at how well Moe and WC get along! It took about a week for them to get to know each other but now they play together, eat together, sleep in the same bed, and act like they have know each other their whole lives.
Best buddies :) In seven years, WC has *never* been this close with another cat! I am amazed. I have noticed that both are considerably less vocal than they were prior to Moe coming to the house. WC used to meow constantly, mostly to get my attention and the attention of other animals, and I had heard from Moe's rescuer that he was quite the talker. My theory on this is that these two guys really do understand that they have to communicate with each other using body language.
WC and Moe will meow at me to get my attention, but never at each other. I have also noticed that neither sneaks up on the other one, which is exactly what I was hoping for! Amazing! Moe has also had to do some adjusting of his own. He was pretty touchy when I brought him home after spending all two years of his life in a kennel. While he was well taken care of and definitely loved, he never got to play or explore. He is still very kitten-like and runs almost everywhere! He is starting to handle human affection much better and even lets me pick him up and hold him now. He's also a bathroom cat...ugh! I don't know ASL but WC and I do know the sign for "come" and use it regularly.
We have developed our own language that works for us, and Moe is starting to get used to it and respond. I'm very interested in learning more about name sign, as I'm sure both WC and Moe would respond very positively to it. Anyway, here are some pictures. Again, I really appreciate your website and all you do for deaf animals! I'm glad that there are still people in this world who understand that differences aren't necessarily "disabilities" and that every one of God's creatures deserves to be loved.
Stephanie Schmid
Laser chasing is a favorite activity around here.
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Get it, Moe, get it!
This is a VERY happy ending for both of the deaf cats!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
a bathroom cat?
ReplyDeleteMine is a bathroom cat but she's hearing and know I am deaf. Every time I go there, she will follow and take up a seating on the chair (not toilet) just to watch.
First, I am beyond thrilled about Marlowe being in a new home with WC and how they get along famously.
ReplyDeleteAs far as WC and Moe not meowing at each other is concerned, my theory is that hearing cats get startled, if not accustomed at a young age to a deaf cat, by WC's loud meow for attention and runs off, thus increasing the frequency of deaf cat's meow to communicate its needs only to fail.
Now with Moe in the picture, Moe doesn't run off when WC meows loud and Moe satisfies WC's needs therefore no reason for the meowing. Moe and WC give each other plenty of affection and attention.
I think it is why neither one of them have sneaked upon the other from the behind.
The hearing cats may have rejected WC, probably based on the sound of his meowing and may have
interpreted it differently than what WC meant it to be.
Also, hearing cats do make sounds to communicate and let you know to leave them alone or not. If they want to be left alone, deaf cats wouldn't know and would continue to be playful. This only causes further alienation from the hearing cats.
This is not the first time when I've heard about how hearing cats have sneaked upon a deaf cat from behind.
With proper training for anyone who has this issue, I believe this can be resolved.
Katherine