I just wanted to again thank all of you for the encouragment, advice, and support. Bonzai has been set free to be a part of our family..and it's been non-stop chasing and running around ever since. He has bonded greatly with my little Havanese dog, Mali. The two of them can't stop running around, jumping on each other, and chasing each other to the point of tongue hanging out exhaustion. Neither one wants to let the other one stop. Smokey, my 11 yr old, has accepted him, but keeps his distance. He is only hissing at Bonzai when he gets too wild in his approach to him. Smokey is the mellow one. He's also really thrilled that Mali is chasing and bugging Bonzai and not him. He just perches himself on something to watch the show with tail wagging away. So far Bonzai just goes in his litter box, food dish, or Mali's. Smokey just uses his. Their dishes are in separate places and so far everyone seems to get the idea to use just theirs. But both cats like to hit the dog's dish. If she had the chance, she would hit theirs as well. I was concerned at first about Bonzai running around crazy, jumping high in the air and just wiping himself out, since he is positive. I didn't want him to get too stressed. But there is no way of stopping him and he loves it. He's also not attacking me or my son, just an occasional pounce. If I try to stop his running too much...then he'll bite me. so I let him go. I followed your suggestions and have been mimicking Smokey's hissing and it seems to work. HE LET ME CUDDLE AND PET HIM FOR A LONG TIME last night. this was just what he needed. I hadn't been able to do that with him since I had him. He's probably just been mad at me for keeping him away from playmates. Are positives sooooo active? I think I'm going to have him tested with the IFA. He just had two Elisas. I have never seen a more active/healthy cat. The vets said they thought he had feline leukemia. I don't know about that. He had so much happen to him as a kitten, before I had him. He also had severe ear mites, parasites, severe diarrhea with an enlarge protruding anus, vaccinations, just to name a few, without seeming sick or unable to deal with it like a healthy cat. He's so feisty and a fighter. He's no more tired than Mali is. Actually Mali tires out and gets more stressed than him. I wish you all could see how happy those two are and how happy Bonzai is...If I could figure out how to put pictures on the net, I send some to you. It feels so right having him out and being an active (and I mean active) part of this family. Thank you all so much for everything. God bless and best wishes to all.
Corrine
