Dozer’s Magical Mystery Tour
-Helen Morrison, Board President
Okay….I just have to share this with you. It’s a little long. But trust me, it is worth it.
If this doesn’t make you smile and feel good about our little corner of the world, then I am not sure what will!!
Dozer is one of the cutest orange and white kittens. There is no face quite like his. He came to the Shelter some months ago as a twelve week old. He came to us because in his home, he wasn’t able to control his bodily functions. The owners felt they couldn’t keep him because there were young children in the home,
Dozer DID have a number of issues. He seemed to not feel anything when he needed to “go”. He just let loose. His back legs were also odd…very stiff, without much strength. He didn’t seem to know how to interact with other cats. He didn’t seem to understand what petting was, that it could be enjoyable. He didn’t seem to have any play instinct. He didn’t seem to know that cuddling could be fun. He didn’t knead. He didn’t purr, except when eating. Definitely a challenge as to what we were going to do with him.
And then….our own Christine Nockels… agreed to take Dozer home.
This was a match made in Heaven.
The best way to take you on this Magical Tour is through some of Christine’s journal entries….along with photos and videos.
Dozer’s Magical Mystery Tour
-Helen Morrison, Board President
Okay….I just have to share this with you. It’s a little long. But trust me, it is worth it.
If this doesn’t make you smile and feel good about our little corner of the world, then I am not sure what will!!
Dozer is one of the cutest orange and white kittens. There is no face quite like his. He came to the Shelter some months ago as a twelve week old. He came to us because in his home, he wasn’t able to control his bodily functions. The owners felt they couldn’t keep him because there were young children in the home,
Dozer DID have a number of issues. He seemed to not feel anything when he needed to “go”. He just let loose. His back legs were also odd…very stiff, without much strength. He didn’t seem to know how to interact with other cats. He didn’t seem to understand what petting was, that it could be enjoyable. He didn’t seem to have any play instinct. He didn’t seem to know that cuddling could be fun. He didn’t knead. He didn’t purr, except when eating. Definitely a challenge as to what we were going to do with him.
And then….our own Christine Nockels… agreed to take Dozer home.
This was a match made in Heaven.
The best way to take you on this Magical Tour is through some of Christine’s journal entries….along with photos and videos.
The Daily Dozer 11/22/23
Dozer looks pretty thankful to be sleeping in a bed.
He hasn’t had to spend the night in his crate since his poops have been back to normal. The diaper system I have now seems to be working.
Interesting note; he only purrs when he eats. No amount of petting or head scratches will get him to purr, even though it seems like he enjoys them
The Daily Dozer 12/8/23
Dozer and Cowboy send their warmest wishes for a successful open house tomorrow.
Dozer wishes he could be there, but he’s busy getting a bath (see the video here).
Dozer and Cowboy send their warmest wishes for a successful open house tomorrow.
Dozer wishes he could be there, but he’s busy getting a bath (see the video here).
The Daily Dozer 12/16/23
Dozer and Cowboy both experienced their first frozen water bowl this week (see the video here). Apparently it’s fascinating.
The Daily Dozer 1/1/24
The Daily Dozer 1/5/24
Some of his favorite toys: he loves sitting in shallow cardboard boxes and swatting whoever walks by. He loves playing in the big paper bag, but so far his very favorite toy in the world is when the guinea pigs kick some of their poops out of the cage. He will bat those around for half an hour or more. It’s the simple things I guess 🤷🏻♀️
The Daily Dozer 1/15/24
A friend from LA visited this weekend, and I warned him that Dozer is not a petting cat and doesn’t like to be touched, but then this happened (see the video here)
The Daily Dozer 1/24/24
Dozer had a lot to say, see the video here
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The Daily Dozer 2/9/24 Hi everyone, I hope you enjoy this compilation video I made of Dozer’s very clean feet. I hope to see some of you tomorrow at the dinner! |
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The Daily Dozer 2/20/24
Dozer is slowly exhibiting more typical cat behavior. He no longer seems upset by being pet as long as it is very gentle, and the other day he jumped up on the chair I was sitting on to sit on my lap for the first time.
One thing I had not seen him do is kneading, and the only time he purrs is while he is eating. He will also nuzzle his face against my hand when he anticipates food.
There are a variety of cat beds around the house. Dozer has not shown any interest in them until 2 days ago; I walked into my room and saw him curled up in one of the beds!
Then last night, I noticed him standing halfway out of that same bed swaying in an unusual way…well, when I looked closer, he was making biscuits! I was so delighted that I took a video if anyone wants to see it : ) (see the video here)
Dare I hope that one day, he might look at a litter box and something will click and he’ll understand what it’s for…? Maybe that’s a little too much, but I can dream, right?
The Daily Dozer 2/21/24
It is sort of like working at the preschool; I’m watching him slowly acquiring new skills just like a toddler, skills every other cat I’ve had developed as young kittens, things that seem innate. He needs extra time to process things. I didn’t even really notice that he didn’t knead, since he doesn't purr. Maybe purring when he’s not eating is next on the list!
Dozer is slowly exhibiting more typical cat behavior. He no longer seems upset by being pet as long as it is very gentle, and the other day he jumped up on the chair I was sitting on to sit on my lap for the first time.
One thing I had not seen him do is kneading, and the only time he purrs is while he is eating. He will also nuzzle his face against my hand when he anticipates food.
There are a variety of cat beds around the house. Dozer has not shown any interest in them until 2 days ago; I walked into my room and saw him curled up in one of the beds!
Then last night, I noticed him standing halfway out of that same bed swaying in an unusual way…well, when I looked closer, he was making biscuits! I was so delighted that I took a video if anyone wants to see it : ) (see the video here)
Dare I hope that one day, he might look at a litter box and something will click and he’ll understand what it’s for…? Maybe that’s a little too much, but I can dream, right?
The Daily Dozer 2/21/24
It is sort of like working at the preschool; I’m watching him slowly acquiring new skills just like a toddler, skills every other cat I’ve had developed as young kittens, things that seem innate. He needs extra time to process things. I didn’t even really notice that he didn’t knead, since he doesn't purr. Maybe purring when he’s not eating is next on the list!
The Daily Dozer 2/22/24
The Daily Dozer 2/26/24
Here’s what Dozer learned how to do this week… (see the video here)
The Daily Dozer 2/29/24
He has come so far with allowing me to pet him, too. He still sometimes starts when I initially touch him, but he settles right down very quickly.
A few days after Dozer started kneading the cat bed, I heard him purring while kneading. It was very LOUD purring. First time I’ve heard him purr when he’s not eating.
He continues to sleep in one particular cat bed. It’s upsetting the cat bed distribution, so if it’s ok I might borrow a bed from the back room? I don’t mind taking an ugly one. Honestly I don’t know how I will fit 4 cat beds on my bed and still have room for me, but I’ll try.
The other night I witnessed Dozer jump from the floor onto a tabletop that is approx. 30” high to get to another cat’s food. His back legs are getting very strong.
Doesn’t this all just make you feel better…on a snowy, muddy day in March.
The bulbs are under the snow, stretching towards the growing heat of the sun.
Dozer is stretching toward all the possibilities in his life….purring, enjoying pets, making biscuits, jumping, running, eating bugs, dancing in water. What could be better!!
The bulbs are under the snow, stretching towards the growing heat of the sun.
Dozer is stretching toward all the possibilities in his life….purring, enjoying pets, making biscuits, jumping, running, eating bugs, dancing in water. What could be better!!