Happy March, Adam friends!

Welcome to what we can only hope is the beginning of spring. Adam sends you his love.

In case our feisty boy didn’t have enough issues, this month Adam tested positive for tritrichomonas, “an intestinal parasite that causes a long-term, foul-smelling diarrhea.” Our brave staff is treating Adam with a two-week course of medication. (We already have to wrangle Adam for meds each day, but less is better when it comes to this madman.) Our vet notes that this drug can cause neurological side effects, so we’re doing our best to monitor Adam for symptoms. But, as our Executive Director has asked, how would we know if Adam, of all cats, was acting “weird?” Fortunately, Adam seems completely unruffled by this latest adventure, and is overall doing well.

Adam continues to be his wild and wacky self. He has become something of the king of Suite A, now that his friend Sam has moved to Suite B. The other cats in the room are not quite as domineering as Adam, so he has undisputed rights to own the place. Adam tends to rule from the cubbies. Sometimes he is seen hanging out on the lower ledge of the cubbies, surveying his kingdom. Other times he is on top of the cubbies near the ramp, looking down on his minions from above. Luckily the other cats, especially Boom, Ms. Claudette, and Rose, don’t seem to mind his ever-present leer.

I am still working with Adam to teach him not to swat. He is getting better at not actually hitting me with his paw, but I pull away every time I see him pull it up, and say “No paw, Adam.” This seems to work, and he looks at me with his adorable little eyes and wants to do better. He just can’t.

I feel so frustrated for him. I know how hard it must be to want to do the right thing and get petted and loved, and just not be able to do it. I have been able to continue to pet Adam a bit this month. I am hoping some more play therapy and some continued use of his behavioral medication will help him. He is such a loving boy underneath his bizarre behavior.

I have been doing some research online, trying to find some ideas to help our Adam become more appropriately-social. So far, I have had no luck. Maybe it’s not going to happen — that is okay as well. Perhaps I’ll just get him a Netflix subscription, and he can binge-watch “House of Cards” by himself and eat some Ben and Jerry’s. That’s what I do when I feel the need to be alone.

Good little Adam. I will keep working and trying to help him become the kitty that he means to be. Thank you for your love for our little boy. He really appreciates your help, even if he doesn’t know how to express it very well. One of these days, I will have him head bonking with the best of them! Then you can stop by and get some Adam loving for yourself. Happy spring!