I want you to know that last night a miracle happened in my house and it made me believe!!!

[LynneSin]

So for 4 years I've had the most neurotic, unloving cat one could ever have as a house pet. Her name is Evita and the only reason she got a home instead of being released back into her feral colony is because the day I went to pick out a cat she was drugged out from her surgery.

So for over 4 years this cat has been miserable, cranky and won't let me touch her for more than about 15 minutes a day (but boy can she complain when she wants food). But I didn't want to give her back because I knew the only other option for her was to be returned to the feral colony where they found her.

In the last year she has been a bit more demanding of her nighttime petting session and she'll let me have about 15 minutes. But last night a miracle happened. Usutally her petting time consists of only one hand and then only of the head and/or neck region. Any other region and you won't see her for at least 2 days (except feeding time). I have no clue what happened to this beautiful grey kitten to feel so unloved and distrusting but I refuse to give up on her.

And the miracle happened last night - she rolled over and let me rub her stomach. And boy did she purr up a storm. I think after 4 years some trust is finally working between us.

Here's a picture of the absolutely beautiful but elusive Evita. Anyone who has been to my home questions if this girl actually exists but she does

[TZ]

1. What a pretty girl.

She looks like my girls but with a bit more...attitude...
Glad you had the patience to tame this kitty. I was lucky my ferals were itty bitty kitties so it didn't take long to tame them, although they are very skittish around strangers.:)

[Jokerman]

2. Cats do things in their own sweet time.

Twelve years ago we took in a kitten from a rescued feral litter. He was always a sweet little guy but he obviously preferred the company of other cats, ignoring his humans (unless his food bowl was empty).

One day when he was about five years old, I stopped to pet him on his scratching post. He seemed to want to "head-butt" me like he did the other cats so I bent over and let him rub his head against mine. After that he followed me to the easy chair, jumped up on my lap and went to sleep. First time he had ever looked for human contact.

Teddy is now twelve and he is one of the most attentive, affectionate cats I've known.

Evita looks like a lovely girl.

[RainDog]

3. Hopefully more good news for you

tho it may or may not matter - I thought of you first thing when I saw that the Led Zep biography, Hammer of the Gods, has been reissued. (it was out of print for a while.)

So, maybe good signs all around!

I have a calico that is so freaked out about the little cat that we took in that she hisses sometimes when I try to pick her up. Last night I made her sit beside me and she fell asleep because I put a pillow in front of her so she couldn't see the little cat - who only want to play with her. it's so sad to me to see the calico freak out like this, but she just can't seem to get over this new situation.

[applegrove]

4. Oh she is gorgeous. What a great night you two had together. I hope it continues.

[MissMillie]

5. Is that the bat killer?

I'm glad she's warming up to you.

[KamaAina]

6. She didn't even come out to greet Vice President Biden on your porch?

She's not a repuke (or a Peronista), is she? :-)

[LynneSin]

14. She wouldn't even great DUers when they were at my house...

although Joan Alpern swears that Evita did come in the room sometime in the middle of the night but she couldn't get near her.

[dgibby]

7. Kitteh sez:

youz can tutch teh tummy, but youz can't tutch teh but!

[madinmaryland]

9. Kitler sez, nice post!

[dgibby]

11. Kitler haz purrrrfect name!

Thankz him for me!

[madinmaryland]

8. Nevermind. I thought you had been raptured!

[Zuiderelle]

10. That's a very sweet story.

She's beautiful.

[City of Mills]

12. There's a quicker route, throw her outside for two weeks

I had an 'unbreakable' cat who seemed miserable in the house, wouldn't let people near her etc. One day she ran out the open door and despite hours and hours of searching, I couldn't find her. I thought she was lost or eaten. Two weeks later she turns back up meowing to come in, and it was like she was a different cat, all lovey and purry from then on. Weird! I guess having to find her own food and water for two weeks was enough time to help her realize the sweet deal she was passing up!

[LynneSin]

13. If I did that, by the time the door would be slammed shut she'd be back inside

She's not a stupid cat - she knows she's got a better life then the mean streets of Dover, Delaware (that's where she was found)