Update on Willow and Chunk's progress

[Traci]

Maybe this will help:

How To Put The Spark Back Into Your Relationship With Your Cat (let the video's commercial run through)

[Tina B and crew]

I'll have to watch the video some other time. My internet seems to be affected by this cold weather we are having and is running slower than molasses in January. One of the downfalls of country living...satellite internet is awful!

Speaking of weather...I'm curious, could barometric pressure be affecting Willow's mood? I've noticed that in addition to the cold, snowy weather that the days in which she seems the moodiest and grouchiest are the days when we have a low pressure system over us. Today it's even colder than yesterday but we have high pressure moving in and she seems to be in a better mood. She's had a few growls but she's also initiated play with Chunk. I mean it's like night and day sometimes. So I wonder if the low vs high pressure is part of the reason she acts the way she does.

[Traci]

Doubtful, but animals certainly react to weather different than us.

[Tina B and crew]

I don't know, I'm beginning to think that might be a factor...the low pressure has moved even further out and high pressure is starting to dominate and Willow seems to be in even a better mood today. She's been playing her heart out. I'll try to make note of her mood when the next system moves through and see if it changes. I'd MUCH rather have what I have today than what I was seeing a couple days ago! She's bright eyed, playful, not hissing, not growling and truly seems to be enjoying herself. She's still letting Chunk know if she's not wanting to play, but not as forcefully as the two days ago.

I did check Chunk's nails and they were in need of a trim. Thankfully I'm getting him use to the process so he doesn't put up too much of a fuss. Willow has always been the best when it comes to nail trimming...she just sits in my lap and lets me do it with no protest. They always get a treat of some sort after..usually catnip.

[Tina B and crew]

Just wanted to note that my theory of high vs low pressure seems to have some weight to it. Low pressure system moving in over the last 24 hours and Willow's mood has deteriorated into more growling, hissing, and general lack of tolerance for Chunk. She's not getting aggressive, just more annoyed, sleeping more, staying secluded more.

[Traci]

You could be right.....but, have you made a vet appointment for her yet?

[Tina B and crew]

I haven't had a chance yet with our weather, living in the boonies, having a ton of work to do, and being thrown under the bus by my classmates

Hoping we get a break in the weather this week or next...but I'm really think it's the weather because this low pressure system moved through quickly and her mood seemed to be bolstered once the snow quit and the sky cleared. When I say deteriorated I don't mean horribly drastic, I just noticed that she went from being more playful to more annoyed, more growling and hissing..like she was in a bad mood...she has played a few times this afternoon since the sun came out....it's strange I know but I seem to be seeing a pattern.

[Traci]

No, not strange, barometric pressure or not, we know the kiddens love sunshine!!

I'm not seeing any affects in my cats, and the sun has barely shown here for two months, we've had over 2 months of snow here with NO bare ground, I'm wondering if my cats are just weird.

[Tina B and crew]

Just thought I should stop by and give a quick update on Willow and Chunk. Sorry I haven't been by but life has been crazy busy with school, thesis, and planning another trip to Turkey...yes, I'm going back but only for 10 days this time.

Willow has pretty much returned to her old self as far as her interaction with her humans. She's on my lap a lot these days. She's playing more on her own and has come to enjoy her catnip treat every morning. She still hasn't totally warmed up to Chunk, in fact she has her days when I'm sure she wishes he was not here because he is persistent in annoying her. She still growls and hisses but I am no longer that concerned about it because it's become very apparent that it's simply her way of communicating to him a very firm "NOT NOW!!" I still notice that it's worse when the barometric pressure is low or falling and particularly when it's rainy or snowy. She does play with him, will on very rare occasion sleep near him, and still cleans him when she takes the notion. Oh, and she has a new cardboard box that has made her a happy...LOL

Chunk is growing like a weed and is nearly as tall as Willow but still has that lanky kitten build. He's a sweety in the morning when he first wakes up and gives Willow pressies and purrs like a motor out of control. He's very good at entertaining himself when we are doing other things and can't play. His favorite came though is fetch the mouse toy. He brings it up on the couch and drops it next to one of us so that we can throw it for him to fetch and repeat. He's so cute.

Anyway, that's the latest....hopefully I'll have more pics soon.

[momPaws]

So glad they are doing well...yes, post new pics when you can! Want to see how Chunk is growing.