ShirleyGirl
Young Bun
Lulu is 6 and has been with me for almost 5 years. I adopted Buddy in September - he is also 6. The rescue did not have any info on him but he had been in there 1.5 yrs. I have tried the usual bonding steps with no success. They end up in a tangle, fighting. They live in separate ex pens in the same room. Their litter boxes are up against the edge of the ex pen, right next to each other, so they are only separated by about 1.5". And that is fine. They seem to be perfectly happy.
The last few days, I put them both on hubby's lap. He is still frightened of being picked up, so he just lays there, not moving. She lays right up against him. They stayed like that for over an hour. In the second session. they gave little nips at each other a few times, but continued to lay against each other.
Today I tried outside again in a pen and they fought immediately. I separated them and she kept running up to his fence area where they would box a bit and settle down. Brought them back in and they are in their respective litter boxes, sitting looking at each other.
I'm so frustrated! Considering taking him back to the rescue. Do you think there is any hope of a bond? When I take them out, one at a time, she waits outside his pen, looking for him. It seems they take some comfort in each other but once together, fight.
The last few days, I put them both on hubby's lap. He is still frightened of being picked up, so he just lays there, not moving. She lays right up against him. They stayed like that for over an hour. In the second session. they gave little nips at each other a few times, but continued to lay against each other.
Today I tried outside again in a pen and they fought immediately. I separated them and she kept running up to his fence area where they would box a bit and settle down. Brought them back in and they are in their respective litter boxes, sitting looking at each other.
I'm so frustrated! Considering taking him back to the rescue. Do you think there is any hope of a bond? When I take them out, one at a time, she waits outside his pen, looking for him. It seems they take some comfort in each other but once together, fight.