So in case anyone who could explain hasn't looked at my other thread - I thought I'd do a more specific one.

(When I say 'we' I just mean me and my critter family )

Basically, this is the story - I already had my dog and house rabbit, and decided we could offer two rescue kittens a home, so we went and got two sisters, (they'd have been about 8 weeks but, as with rescue centers, I could either have had them or we'd have lost them).

They settled in brilliantly. I still visited the charity as it's a local place, and I caught sight of a little boy who I asked about, and was told he wasn't for re-homing as he was going to die. He had advanced chlamydia in his upper respiratory system and one of his eyes was completely stuck shut. I went away and got loads of references in about 2 hours (it was a crazy day!) and persuaded them to let me have him. They said they couldn't let me sign anything as he was too poorly and suffering from failure to thrive.

Well my little man survived, but he never thrived. One of the kitten sisters had an awful accident and passed away.

I recently had a new kitten, a pedigree and very confident and cheerful. Suddenly, my boy has thrived - within a few days his whole personality has changed - he's almost like a new cat - he never hides, he never shies away from things, he's super playful and content and adores our new girl to bits.

Can someone explain what has happened to make my boy suddenly so happy?

Em
xx

He has found his true love

I don't know a huge amount about cat psychology but I just like to think this is the reason

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he's found someone he gets on with and it has given him a lease of life! Maybe your pedigree cat was better socialised and is able to interact with him more.

I guess it's just like people, meeting someone who you really click with does make you so much happier in general so it's probably just like that for your boy

it's such a lovely thing to happen

I've heard it said that a well socialised cat can teach other cats how to behave eg litter tray, proper play. So maybe there is something about her that he likes to mimic and it is making him happier

Or maybe she is his soul mate

Who knows

So glad he is happy

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Maybe just being loved such a lovely story! Animals can sense these things, if the people looking after him before felt hopeless about his future he might have picked up on that. It is wonderful he is having a happy time now, however long that lasts. Sorry about your other kitten though.

He's fine now he just needed sort of 'normal' conditions to help his breathing, and more than basic care, which he now has. The sanctuary did everything they could for him - I'm not knocking them - they're amazing, just that everything I'd tried had come to nothing. He loved me to bits, but the second our little madam stomped in he's a changed cat.

It's over-awed and fascinated me I'm sure it's something to do with the op's suggestions of socialisation etc I just don't know how or what or why. There's so much on knowing how dogs think but I've not found enough of meowers xxxx

Well done you for taking on this little guy despite the poor prognosis the rescue gave him. Just goes to show how these predictions are very often wrong-even when made by vets! I've seen this time and time again.

Also what a stroke of luck ( I'm sure it's actually fate ) in getting your new girl. As others had said I just think it's a case of him having an excellent rapport with her just like us and certain other people. Don't forget as well he was more unwell before this. Either way it has a very positive affect on him.

No-one could have left him there in that state, if anyone had seen him properly they'd have taken him I'm not being a hero here - he was a puss who needed someone and I took him like anyone else would have - I'm sure, had I left it a day someone else may have had him etc.

Blimey - I've never known the whole forum to be stumped - and we seem to be stumped at the minute; if I really want an answer to my curiosity should I contact a behaviorist or some such? xxxx

I haven't a clue, but I bet it makes you feel great to see the change.