I'm soooo happy. I've finally had a major breakthrough with Evita

[LynneSin]

This gal should have never been an indoor only cat. She lived for about 3 years on the mean streets of Dover, DE with a pack of ferral cats and probably popped out a few litters. But she somehow ended up in a "Trap-Neuter-Release" trap and with an organization that neuters ferral cats, tries to adopt out the kittens & socialable cats and returns back to the streets any truly ferral cat (now neutered).

But somehow I took this gal home. She was so tiny when I got her, I thought she was a kitten (she was just undersized and probably not eating well on the streets). I brought her to my home and she promptly rejected me, rejected Abbott and opted to live indoors away from contact from everyone. Most days I'd see her only after I open up a can of food or she just somehow managed to trap a songbird while being a totally indoor cat. Funny thing is, the gal knows its a good living and has never once tried to escape.

The past few months her icy personality has thawed a bit. She would give me about 15 minutes of petting time but I would have to be on the sofa and she would be on the back of the sofa and meowing to let me know it was petting time. If I tried to hold her she'd claw me and run away. But I figured it was a start. She also starting sleeping at the far corner of the bed.

Well last night she did something she has never done before. I watch feeling a bit under the weather and I was vegging out, watching reruns of Seinfeld - she jumped up on the sofa and snuggled with me.

It lasted for exactly 3 minutes - but it was a breakthrough!

[zanne]

1. Congratulations, LynneSin!

I know what those breakthroughs feel like! It is really a big deal that she chose to snuggle with you. I'm sure it took alot of patience to get her to that point. I'm happy for both of you. Give her a kiss for me.

[calico1]

2. That's so good to hear.

Cats like that can take a long time to trust. They've been through so much. The fact that she is ready to cuddle...at least a little, is a very good sign. She's a cutie by the way. :)

[wildhorses]

3. I can still see the wildness in those eyes. She is gorgeous.

Keep on LynneSin. Sounds like she is learning to trust one human again. :hi:

[Lisa0825]

4. That's great!!

I remember the first time my feral kitty Chance snuggled me too! He still freaks out if he thinks I am trying to pick him up, but other than that, he's the sweetest boy now! He cuddles with me every morning, rubbing his little face all over mine. :loveya:

I'm workng on taming another kitty now. She was actually born in my house (mom was ready to pop when I captured her), but she has always been frightfully shy, along with one sibling, while the other two were very people-friendly.

I have been caging the shy one (Fabi) for about a week, so she has to let me pet her. She has learned that petting ain't so bad, and now she purrs for me, and rolls over so I can pet her belly. I started letting her out of the cage, into a spare room. She still doesn't come to me voluntarily. I hope in another week, she'll be comfortable enough with me that I can let her have the run of the house, without hiding from me like usual.

Oh, and while we are talking about kitties, don't forget to Vote for Cali!
http://www.nestle.com/Interest_Areas/Petcare/Pet+of+the+month/Vote+for+your+pet/Vote+for+your+pet.htm

[LynneSin]

7. We need to DU this poll - you should start a thread in the lounge!

http://www.nestle.com/Interest_Areas/Petcare/Pet+of+the+month/Vote+for+your+pet/Vote+For+Your+Pet.htm

[Lisa0825]

8. There have been a couple thread on it, but Cali needs more votes!

so I thought I'd just mention it whenever I post...

VOTE CALI!
http://www.nestle.com/Interest_Areas/Petcare/Pet+of+the+month/Vote+for+your+pet/Vote+for+your+pet.htm

:patriot:

[MissMillie]

5. Animals know when you need them

You've been there for her, and she decided it was time to pay up--even if just for 3 minutes.

Congrats!

[speedoo]

6. I hate to break this to you.

But it was Kramer.

Cats really dig Kramer.



edit: typo. I dig him too.

[ThomCat]

9. That is wonderful!

:)

I hope she continues in that direction.