Lucky, born feral about 3-1/2 years ago has been coming in the house at night every night for the last few months. I think this is in part because it has been getting colder, but also because he realizes how cushy all the beds, sofa's, cat perches, etc are inside. I've also spent a lot of time touching him, stroking him, and picking him up when he allows it.
This morning I woke up at 5:30 to let the dogs out. Lucky usually goes back outside first thing in the morning with the dogs. The house was dark (no lights on yet), and I have other cats that like to slip out the door. So this big cat comes up to the door wanting out. I reach down and start to push him back (not sure which cat it was), then started stroking the length of his back.
My breakthru: I realized that I've got to know him so well that I could tell by the feel of his fur that it was indeed Lucky. So I open up the door, let him out with the dogs.
A small thing, but I realized that I can tell who he is by touch. A feral cat (getting more and more semi-feral) at that!!
This morning I woke up at 5:30 to let the dogs out. Lucky usually goes back outside first thing in the morning with the dogs. The house was dark (no lights on yet), and I have other cats that like to slip out the door. So this big cat comes up to the door wanting out. I reach down and start to push him back (not sure which cat it was), then started stroking the length of his back.
My breakthru: I realized that I've got to know him so well that I could tell by the feel of his fur that it was indeed Lucky. So I open up the door, let him out with the dogs.
A small thing, but I realized that I can tell who he is by touch. A feral cat (getting more and more semi-feral) at that!!