TBT here again: I took a few days away to consider the situation with Laz. Everything is kind of on "hold" here right now. I have received a lot of great advice and hopeful thoughts, and appreciated it all very much. Medications, separation, increased attention, Vet visit, Feline Behavioralists, and avoiding rehoming to bad people. I appreciate it all!
I am trying to consider the order of steps to take.
But I am thinking of them in the order of things NOT to do. Which may sound strange, but eliminating the less-best actions helps to leave the better ones. So, I'll mention the less-best first (strictly for Laz, not me). And I will also mention that things have been calm this past week. So I feel I have more time to think.
1. Worst is probably the animal shelter. Laz would not "present" well and be euthanized in a couple of weeks. The local shelters have way more adoptable cats than Laz (he would just howl in a cage).
2, Next bad is CraigsList. I feared giving Laz to a stranger for general reasons, but comments about "dog-fight bait" (and thoughts about sale to medical labs) made it worse. I got Marley through a person on CraigsList who was loving and caring but allergic to cats (Marley was her first). She didn't worry about giving him to me and of course I gave him a good home, so I thought positively about Craigslist. Now I don't so much.
But if someone contacted me about Laz who said they lost a long-time beloved cat recently and was looking for another "only" cat, and I met with their vet and the vet seemed legit and the vet said the client was a good cat-person, I would consider it seriously. But only "if".
3. On a more positive side is a Vet visit. Partly for a physical exam to eliminate injuries or illness. That is unlikely. Laz seems heathly in both ways. So it would be more about behavioral issues if the Vets feel qualified to discuss them. Laz did suffer a traumatic first couple of years elsewhere. Issues may be re-emerging in his mind.
Also, I would want to discuss "chill pills" (for effectiveness, safety, and consequences). I wouldn't want Laz to be dosed into lethargic existence, just "calmed" a bit. I thank those who mentioned 2 possible drugs so that I can look them up before I bring him to the Vet. Having information beforehand will help during a Vet's discussion. And I will ask the Vet about feline behavioralists for their opinion of them in general and possibly recommendations.
4. Feline behavioralists. I did a lot of personal comforting with Laz, and Lori really helped him after she arrived. But old aggressions from trauma may be returning. The best solution (but my last option - because it is most complicated and unsure) would be one skilled in understanding causes of aggression. But it might also be the best solution, so I am putting it at the end of the things I will try.
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And to be honest, items 3 and 4 are almost equal, but I have a Vet, so I will go there before seeking a behavioralist I do not know. And there might even be someone at the Vet office that is trained in that. It is a rather large staff and very experienced. There are different levels of certifications on the subject, but starting with someone at a Vet office I trust would be good.
Some good news is that Laz has seemed calm again lately, Laz, Lori, and Ayla have been passing each other peacefully. Last evening, I saw Laz and Lori sitting calmly together at the deck door waiting to come in. Later I saw them cuddled up on the bed. Ayla goes in and out the house with Laz right next to her. Things are actually peaceful again. What worries me is that this calmness may not last.
When things are good, they are very good. And things are usually very good. When fights happen, they are bad. But based on some comments, not as unusual as I thought. I have perhaps been lucky to have a history of cats who got along well. So maybe some fights are normal and they seem bad to me, but are "normal" now and them.
Thank you all, and wish us well...
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And BTW, Today is Lori's 2nd Birthday, but we are celebrating that tomorrow as a "Friday Flashback and Today" event.
