Thank you for your input. I agree that the vet is being wonderful throughout all of this.

Ben is 9 years old. I adopted him as a kitten, along with his brother, Jerry. Jerry died last August. Hazel was meant to be company for Ben. She is now 8 months old, and they have been together just over six months. Until a week ago Sunday, they appeared to be getting along well.

I have an appointment tomorrow. At that time, I will probably release her to go to another home. I was not supposed to visit until Monday. However, I called Saturday morning, hoping for an update over the phone. When I spoke with the vet, he asked if I had time to come in and visit, without taking them from the cage. The idea was that I would say "hi" and leave.

When I arrived, Ben was at the back of the cage. Hazel was at the front, pleading for attention. One question I need to ask tomorrow is whether she is always reacting to anyone coming into the room, or if it only happens when I am there. From comments that have been made, I suspect that it is the former. (That would make it easier to allow someone else to adopt her.)
When I put my fingers through the bars of the cage, she wanted all of my attention. When Ben approached, she pushed him aside.
Even when I put fingers from both hands into the cage, she would not allow him easy access. There was no hissing; she just pushed him away. He retreated and looked sad.

She came to me from this vet's office. Ben has had all of his care from this office. The vet states that this is "exciting from a behavioral perspective." However, he admits it is also untested territory for him.

He also says that she is very needy, which I am beginning to see all too well. Benny is a very sweet, mellow giant. He weighs about l8 pounds. I live in a tiny house and separating them would be difficult. I drove away on Saturday thinking it would be best for all three of us if she were placed elsewhere. She is a very engaging animal, extremely healthy physically, has been spayed and is up to date on her shots. I trust this vet implicitly. He is one of the kindest and humanitarian people I have ever known. In a way, it does not surprise me that he is willing to work on this this way. He has helped me through the deaths of two other pets: one from an injection-site fibrosarcoma and the most recent megacolon.
Both times he was wonderful.

Thank you for your interest. This is very difficult.

Sheila

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