Ashiki update (serval hybrid) with a few pics

[Lorien]

Well, he's been doing a *little* bit better, but he's still unpredictable. We'll be playing and having a fine time one minute, and then he'll be lunging at me the next! He's REALLY out of shape! We play with his feather wand for 10 or 15 minutes, and he drops to the floor, panting-and he's only two years old! I've gotten him up to 20 minutes of play on some days-but rarely more than that. Does that seem odd to anyone else?

I found a wonderful woman named Karen who may be able to give Ashiki a better home. She had an F1 female savannah cat for five years until the poor kitty died of a heart attack during hurricane Charley last year. "Momo" was two when they got her-abused and suffering from a broken leg that was never fixed. She had the very same behavioral issues that Ashiki does, and then some. Karen was the only person in the home who could really interact with Momo (she could even pick her up and swing her around), Momo attacked anyone else if Karen wasn't there-even her adult son who has a degree in animal husbandry, specializing in exotics! Momo had her very own room and outdoor enclosure-which still exists. They miss Momo so much and they would really love to have Ashiki (it's a large family with a big farm full of rescued animals-and Karen's only job is caring for them all). I think I'll let Ashiki's nutty former owner (Michelle) deal with handing him over to them, though. Michelle has been calling me several times every day to check on him, and if I'm the one to hand him over, then that will continue. She's driving me nuts! We shop at all the same places, so there's no escaping her-if she hands Ashiki to Karen, then she'll be calling Karen daily, not me to get a second hand account.

Anyway, I took these photos today to show some scale. He's still an awful subject for photography because of his unpredictable nature.

At the sink; he can actually stick his nose in the sink if he's stretched all the way out! (the stuff all over the floor is lavender, which he found and made a horrible mess with):



A moment of "nice kitty" with my friend Melissa:



Next to his dog carrier:



Being "cute" while hiding next to his big basket:

[okasha]

1. This sounds like a very good situation for Ashiki.

Any chance Michelle would reclaim him if she knew you were going to give him to Karen? Would it be better to present her with a fait accompli?

[Lorien]

4. No, I already talked about it with her tonight

Since F1 savannah cats only really ever bond to one person, the best thing for Michelle to do is to accommodate her cat, not the other way around. She knows that she won't but she does feel guilty about the whole thing (hence the constant phone calls). Karen is such a warm and caring person; all Michelle needs to do it meet her once, and she'll understand that this is the best situation for Ashiki and hopefully when he goes to Karen's home, then Michelle will finally let go. Right now Michelle is driving me out of my mind with the constant calls. She expected Ashiki to take up a lifestyle here at my home that was identical to the one that he had at hers; but he was unhappy with being cooped up so much! It's quite obvious to me that he needs sunshine and fresh air every day, and oddly enough, he likes a crowd, too-so Karen's home sounds like the perfect setup for him. I think that Michelle is finally beginning to understand this. I could just take Ashiki to Karen myself,but Michelle would never let me hear the end of it-and frankly, I can't take much more of her! I agreed to include her in the process of re-homing him if he didn't work out here; it would be easier in the short term to break my word, but in the long term I think it would get messy.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. He's so beautiful. He has serval ears, even the spots on the back.

I hope that if you can't keep him yourself, this other person can take him (and keep his nutjob former owner away from him). It must be... interesting, to say the least, to have such a large, nosy cat in your kitchen.

[IndyOp]

3. Karen's house sounds like Ashiki Heaven -

Did Michele sign documents relinquishing Ashiki to the rescue group you work with? If so then offering to let Michele visit Karen's house before/after Ashiki is transfered might be a good idea for you.

I don't think that Michele would take him back, but just in case 'Her Weirdness' might have a sh**fit and want him back --> You might transfer him and let him live there a few weeks (hopefully adjusting beautifully) and then you can tell her the success story.

==========================
And - um - regarding your post about MC's not taking up much space - :rofl:

If I had an ecamera, I would take a pic of my bed with my two dogs stretched out comfortably. There are times I have a hard time finding space for me with just those two. If an MC was sleeping on the bed with them - I'd wind up on the couch. :(

[Lorien]

6. Aye, there's the rub; no documents signed

and Michelle wouldn't turn over his papers to me-she wanted to ensure that she had some say in any future home he might have. It would be much easier if she were out of the picture completely, no doubt about that!

What kind of dogs do you have, BTW?

[IndyOp]

9. Retrievers: One Gold, One Brown

This is Benjamin - The Adonis Of Golden Retrievers:




I am ashamed to say that I don't have any pics of Sajdeh that I can show online, he looks like this:

[Lorien]

16. Wow-he IS the Adonis of Golden Retrievers!

what great looking dogs!

[Grateful for Hope]

5. Looks like you had already made some progress with him

wasn't he in a bathroom for a while? Also, I am amazed at the ripples in his body (photo 3). He is achingly beautiful, Lorien.

It does sound like a great arrangement with Karen. I also think that your idea to have Melissa turn him over is a good one. One thing: Do you know if Savannah's have a tendency toward heart disease? I didn't like hearing that he gets so tired so quickly. Even if he hasn't been exercising, it does seem strange that he tires so easily.

I got myself an mp3 player for Christmas (someone had to do it!), and, I downloaded the Lion King soundtrack yesterday. I loved that movie when it came out, and, even though I purchased the video when it was available, I felt that you had to see this movie in a theater in order to enjoy the majesty of the music and animation.

Today, when playing "Circle of Life" from the opening scene, I thought of Ashiki. I am so struck by his majestic demeanor (as captured in your photos).

Sounds like you have good alternatives, Lorien, and, I hope you are feeling better about the decision you are having to make. If it were me, BTW, I would definitely take my other cats into very big consideration. It sounds like you, too, are doing this.


One edit: Punctuation fix

[Lorien]

7. Bengals have a tendency to develop cardiomyopathy, and he's half bengal

servals, on the other hand, are rather robust. I certainly pray that the big guy doesn't have HCM; my beloved kitty Peewee died of that awful disease and I'd hate to see another kitty suffer with it. :-(

my old colleague Ruben Aquino animated adult Simba for "the Lion King', and he used his own housecats for Simba's locomotion! We had Jim Fowler coming by the studio with lions, of course, but Ruben's animation reference is a reminder that every kitty is "majestic". ;-)

On edit; he's still in the bathroom, it's just a really BIG bathroom!

[Grateful for Hope]

8. I pray that he does not also, Lorien

Wow...you have a friend involved in the animation of that awesome movie...Wow again! Yes, all kitties are majestic (no doubt), but, Ashiki has struck me in a way I can't describe. It may be his wildness...somehow to me, the wildness in an animal suggests an unwillingness to bend to the whims of the human species, unless there is a very, very good reason. Our little domestic cats, on the other hand, are much more amenable to human whims and needs.

You surely MUST have a big bathroom...LOL!

[Lorien]

10. I'm a former Disney animator myself

I started during "The Little Mermaid", and left during "The Lion King". We made pretty crappy movies after that, so I don't feel like I missed much! (I still work as a freelance artist for the company-but traditional animation is long gone).

Ashiki is quite a reminder to me that wild animals belong in the wild-not with us.The real task is keeping some wild out there for such magnificent animals to exist in! (Not easy with all the megacorps controlling the world).

[ccjlld]

11. Wow!

That is sooooo cool! I think Little Mermaid through Lion King is some of the best Disney ever! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite, my husband and I saw it 7 times in the theater including once on IMAX. I thought Disney has heading for a 2nd Golden Age until they came out with Hunchback. Mulan is the best since Lion King.

About Ashiki, I'm so glad that he has someone that cares what is best for his welfare. There are too many people out there who only think of themselves and who are really too selfish to have furbabies. If an animal inconviences them it's time to get "rid" of it. I just don't understand that behavior. I still remember when my beloved kitty Trouble was diagnosed with diabetes. He was 11 at the time and a lot of people couldn't understand why I didn't have him put down. They thought it was too much to have to give two shots a day. Well, he lived until he was 17, another 6 years. Yes, I had larger vet bills and there were some inconviences but I wouldn't trade those 6 years with him for anything. He's been gone 5 years now and I still miss him. Ashiki is lucky to have a true animal lover involved in his welfare.

[Lorien]

12. I know what you mean; I had a cat with skin cancer that had to have

a front leg removed. Several people told me to put him down instead; he was semi-feral and old, and wouldn't come inside. But he lived outdoors for five more years after his leg was gone, and got along just fine without it. The vet said that he estimated him to be 18 years old when he finally did need to be put down due to kidney failure.Good ol'Jasper was quite a tough old guy!

Beauty and the Beast was my favorite film to work on (I worked on Belle, and a little on the Beast. One of my concept drawings for him is in the Special Edition DVD). Once our movies started making big $$$, everything started setting ugly; the artists demanded bigger and bigger salaries, and the managers became utterly cut throat. Soon the focus on the art was gone, and studio politics got brutal.I guess money really is the root of all evil. :-(

[demnan]

13. Gosh

he's almost tall enough to do the dishes. Too bad you couldn't put him to work! ;)

I think he'll be happier in the environment you describe. He sure is a beauty, but I wish they wouldn't breed these cats to sell to dumbasses.

[roguevalley]

14. wow. how beautiful is he. lovely elegant cat

[Lorien]

15. More pics, and a reunion:

Finally! A decent photo of his handsome face!



Ashiki has been reunited with his former owner Michelle, for now. She said she had a change of heart and now wants to try some of the things I suggested to deal with his boredom and chewing. She has Karen's number if she gives up on him again. Ashiki went INSANE with happiness and became a completely different kitty when she walked into his room. Purrs, hugs and kisses for us both! His hair was standing on end and his tail was poofed in excitement. He headbutted me, rubbed, kissed, drooled, rolled over-you name it. I wish he could be like that when she wasn't in the room!Unfortunately, his behavior is just more evidence that he's a "one person cat" and could only bond to someone during kittenhood (a trait of servals, the breeders and zoo animal handler told me. My friend Pam's Meerkat Timon is the same way; snarls when she leaves the room, kisses when she's there-it might be more of a wild animal thing than just a serval behavior). So I'm a bit worried that even Karen's time and patience might not bring him around...I guess that remains to be seen. I took photos of the scene when Michelle was reunited with Ashiki, and e-mailed them to her with "next time he misbehaves please, look at these photos before you react"

She's trying to keep him from kissing her here because he kisses on the mouth and she doesn't like "the bacteria in his saliva":



But finally she gives in:





Could YOU give up a pet that loved you like that?? I never could.

He looks small in those photos, but don't let them fool you. This one better shows his size:



And I was impressed when Oberon could do this!



I think exercising Ashiki twice a day really paid off, too. Here he is today after two weeks of regular exercise:



And here's the "before":



She was going to cut back on his food, but regular exercise is what he really needed.

I really hope that she DOES try to make some changes at home. I'm not holding my breath, obviously, but it's just plain wrong to get a pet who can only bond with one individual during it's youth and not make it a lifetime commitment. Just another reason among many why wild animals should remain wild.

She says she'll keep in touch and let me know how it's going. I wish I could have done more.

[Grateful for Hope]

17. Lorien, you did more than enough for Ashiki

He looks wonderful having been under your care, and, you may even have convinced Michelle that she needs to exercise him more, etc.

It is so apparent that he loves her so, and, it seems that she also cares deeply for him as I don't think she would have been calling you so much if she didn't.

So, you might have been a catalyst in helping Michelle care for him the way he needs to be cared for.

Such a gorgeous boy! Thank you for all the pics of him.

Now, can we have more of Oberon and your other kitties? Pretty please??

[Lorien]

19. Thanks Hope2006

There's a big ol' list I gave Michelle; exercise, toys, "puzzles", dietary changes, and (a big one) building an outdoor enclosure where he can spend part of each day. He didn't chew things he shouldn't when he was here, so I think that there's hope for changing his behavior at home, too. I sure hope she can make it work.

I'd love to take more photos of Obie and the rest. Oberon, unfortunately, has been fighting an ugly case of feline chin acne* for three months (it was clearing up, but he's had a recent relapse). As soon as it's gone I'm sure he'll be happy to pose again, lol!



* word to the wise: never give your cats food or water in a plastic container!

[Grateful for Hope]

20. Sure hope she listens to you, Lorien

So sorry to hear about Oberon's acne. I had heard about plastic containers and cats, but, never knew any cat that actually reacted to plastic. It's good to know -- particularly if I need to board the guys for any reason.

Looking forward to more pics when Oberon regains his total handsomeness!

[IndyOp]

18. You did great, Lorien.

:toast:

I am not sure whether to be hopeful about her, heartbroken you have lost a furbaby, or scared for him. Maybe she will play with him now - it isn't just for him, it would be really good for her neuroses, too! (Maybe we could raise funds to send her to a therapist to deal with her OCD?)

You told her all about the things she can do that are more 'passive' than 'taking time' to play with him - Feliway, tough toys?

I am sure Ashiki's Pixie Bob was very happy to see Ashiki back home!

This kind of situation is why I would not make a good veterinarian - animals and their oddities, fine; the bizarre people - I'd blow gaskets.

:nuke:

Again - You did great, Lorien. :toast:

[Lorien]

21. Thanks IndyOp

One thing that was promising; she did go out and buy the "peek-a-prize" toybox, the liv-a-littles treats, and the Vee mouse action wand toy for him before she picked him up (they were all on my list for him). She's still balking at my suggestions for dietary changes, and goes back an forth on the concept of an outdoor enclosure (along with exercise, I feel that this is one of the most important keys to keeping these types of animals content. Daily walks would sure help, too. She said that I could come by any time to play with him, too. She's more exhausting than he is, obviously, but somehow I can seem to cope with bizarre people if they are bizarre due to lack of mental health, not political beliefs (maybe because I grew up around so many psychologists-six in my family alone). I find myself listening to her and working out a diagnosis and response as I do; it's kind of an interesting challenge. OCD-no doubt about that, but also bipolar? Inattentive type ADD? I'm still trying to figure out what's going on there.

In the meantime I'm gathering some more professional camera equipment together for the next phase of my pet rescue efforts. I'm hoping to get a COMPLETELY portable portrait studio together, then go from rescue to rescue, taking quality photos of dogs and cats and posting them for the rescues on Petfinder. I've found that the quality of the photos on that site makes a HUGE difference in how quickly the animals are placed, and how many responses each animal gets. It's an ambitious project for someone like myself who is horribly short on funds and time these days-but I really want to continue helping in some meaningful way. Besides, maybe I'll become experienced enough to have this as a fallback career if the illustration and animation work continues to run dry. The toughest part will be finding a really good digital SLR at a good price! (my Nikon hates low light and fires too slowly). I'll be practicing at friends homes around town, and I'm sure that Ashiki and Abu will be some of my future trial subjects, so we probably haven't seen the last of them!

[IndyOp]

22. Wow! An idea for you -

First: I am glad that you made some demands before M could pick up Ashiki. I will keep my fingers crossed for Ashiki, Abu, and M!

Next: You are *such* a natural at getting great pics of animals - have you considered opening a pet photography business? I am absolutely serious.

I would bet that you could charge at least as much as Olin Mills (and similar groups) for photos if you went to peoples' homes and took pics of their pets (and kids? owners?).

I would pay for some great shots of my furbabies - and you have the talent. Start-up costs would be minimal - advertise by putting up flyers at Pookie's, Vet Offices, and boarding facilities. People who take their dogs to doggie daycare would be an *excellent* market.

I know you said you are short on time, but you also said you were low on funds, so I thought I'd just pop this into the conversation.

:)

[Lorien]

25. I've thought about it, at least as supplemental income

maybe after I've gotten some more experience with the rescue animals. I sent 5 1/2 years in college and have 22 years of professional experience as a traditional animator and illustrator; it's all I've ever known and all I ever thought about doing, so it's hard to think of doing anything else professionally. But in the digital age I've become a bit of a dinosaur, so maybe I do need so new skills.

Thanks for the vote of confidence and the excellent suggestions!

[BrklynLiberal]

24. A couple of thoughts on your backup career.

Can you try eBay, Craig's list or local camera shop or perhaps even flea markets or yard sales for some used camera equipment?

I cannot wait to see more shots of Oberon and Puck..and Milo, of course..and hear about your progress as "The Pet Photographer".
Perhaps the local paper needs someone to take these kind of pics for their human interest section? ...and they would provide the equipment..or underwrite some of the cost?

[Lorien]

27. How does Craig's list work?

I've heard of it, but I don't know much about it. :shrug:

I've bought a tripod, two backdrops, a backdrop stand and one 500 watt continuous light set from eBay. The light set blew out the entire electrical system in one part of my house when I plugged it in, so it wasn't a bargain! I still need to find an SLR type digital camera and another (safe) light set.

[BrklynLiberal]

28. Go to www.craigslist.com

click on the city closest to you
there is a section FOR SALE
It includes barter, electronics, garage sale and more

You might also find something hlepful under the COMMUNITY heading

There is no charge to look at what is being offered.

[Lorien]

30. Wow-that's quite a site!

somehow I always thought it was more of a bulletin board for non-profits or something-I didn't know that it was more of an online classifieds. Thanks for the link!

[BrklynLiberal]

31. Enjoy. I hope you find everything you need. Maybe some connections

for work as well.

[okasha]

32. Photog hat on here.

Lorien, if you're willing to consider film instead of digital, you could get a really top-of-the-line lightly used film SLR right now for considerably less than what you'd pay for a middling-quality digital. EBay is a possibility; so are the used equipment sections of big photography supply firms like B&H PhotoVideo and Adorama (both online). With a high-quality color slide film such as Fuji's Velvia (50 or 100)you could have the slides burned on to CD's at the same time the film is processed, then either email the pics to customers or print them out at home for matting and framing. There are some excellent and inexpensive printers that would more than meet your needs, and some beautiful papers. A film camera also gives you the option of high-quality black and white, which a digital camera really can't do. If you did decide to go digital eventually, your lenses would also make the transition if you stuck to the same brand.

[Lorien]

33. I have top of the line Nikon and canon 35mm SLRs, but I stopped

using them because the cost of the film and processing was killing me (even at Costco). I usually take more than 20 shots of a pet to get one really good one (they don't take directions very well ;-) ). Maybe I'll have to wait until my Dad wants to upgrade from his digital Canon Rebel; he usually passes down his old cameras to someone he knows, and the lenses for my 35mm Canon would fit that one.

[okasha]

34. I know what you mean.

I recently photographed a wolf X for a book cover and shot four rolls, which is about average. Again, though, the film from B&H, say,is about half what you'd pay at a local retailer.

There might be some Canon Rebels coming available used, since they've lately come out with an upgrade. Minolta is also putting out a digital version of their 7 (the 7D, surprise, surprise!)which offers image stabilization in the camera itself. That would be a particularly good feature for working with critters, most of whom just don't take direction very well, especially when their human's trying to "help." Minolta tend to be less expensive than either Canon or Nikon--more money into the camera, less into advertising.

[Lorien]

35. Thanks for the heads up on the new Minolta

I know nothing about their cameras,but the image stabilization would sure go a long ways towards "rescuing" many pet shots. I'll look into it. :hi:

[okasha]

36. For what it's worth,

I use Minoltas exclusively. When I do give in and buy a digital--which may be a while because it'll be strictly for color, and I'm more and more strongly into B&W--it'll be their 9D. Canon has IS, but it's in their lenses, which makes each and every IS lens more expensive. With the IS in the camera body, your initial outlay is a bit more, and the camera body is a bit heavier, but you can use any Minolta or Minolta-compatible third-party auto-focus lens and save boodles on that part of your kit.

[BrklynLiberal]

23. Wow!

Could YOU give up a pet that loved you like that?? I never could.

It almost reminds me of the relationship between an abused child and its abusing parent... how sad. Truly brings tears to my eyes that she is reluctant to let that baby kiss her. It is kind of heartbreaking.

I could NEVER give up any of my pets, and I am not even so sure they love me THAT much. hahahahahahahahaha

You did a wonderful job of getting Ashiki in good shape. The improvement is incredible. I hope that she does follow your lead. You should have no guilt, as you did all you could.

And I concur about your talent in picture taking. I would gladly pay you to take portraits of my babies and me.

[Lorien]

26. Thanks BrklynLiberal!

:hi:

I haven't seen you around in a while (or maybe I haven't been very preceptive) I hope all is well with you and the furkids!

Yeah, I know what you mean; none of my cats slobber over me quite THAT much-I would consider it a privilege, lol! Poor Ashiki just couldn't get enough, so after I snapped the pics I sat down beside them and let him hold my arm and lick and suck on it while she petted him (seemed to work to calm him down) Michelle kept saying "Ew-gross"! and laughing. Poor baby-no wonder he was chewing; he wasn't exercised AND he couldn't fully express his affection for his mistress! Made him a tad neurotic, no doubt-I know that most dogs would get a bit messed up if they weren't allowed to kiss their people. It is a bit like a dysfunctional child/ parent relationship. I sure wish he could have adapted to a new environment, but he is what he is.

[BrklynLiberal]

29. Your perceptive powers are 100%. I have been a bit under the

weather lately and have not been on the PC much. :D
I am feeling much better now. (Holistic treatment. I am not big on antibiotics myself)

As far as Michelle and Ashiki, you know that neurotic parents make neurotic children, and this situation is a perfect case in point. They love each other, and can't live without each other, and can't live WITH each other either!:silly:

I sure hope she takes your advice and gives him a better living environment and improves his diet. I cannot even imagine how it must be for an animal like that to not be allowed to show affection...it is more than sad, it is sick.

I think part of reclaiming Ashiki should be some psychological therapy for Michelle. :eyes: