Caught A Feral Cat... And I Need Some Advice

[kimmer3d]

kimmer3d I'd urge you not to be too expectant of results too soon. Possibly not "push" different techniques...but stick with what you're both familiar with and has worked to this point. Again , again and again. Build up trust and more will come in time. (I think thats where tabbytom is going in his post above)

My little stray female is just becoming real friendly after 1 1/2 years indoors!
I can finally pick her up and cuddle her! Prior...she instantly ran away. Finally comfortable within the whole house, too.

I never thought I'd see the day when I could pick Bug up....he's finally warmed up ....after almost 2 years indoors. Occasionally, when he's real hungry ...he'll jump up on my lap to announce (demand) its feed time! I never anticipated this!

Yes, complete, full trust and integration can take years!

It sure is rewarding though.

I'm sure you are right. I don't want to jeopardize what we've already built. I think she'll need at least a year (like yours) maybe more, to get comfortable. I don't think pushing her is going to work either. I'm going to continue working with her at her own pace and stick to what has worked, like you say. Plus with the dogs, it's added stress for Lily. We are going to take it slow

 

[azpops]

That's so true. She's very different from my Siamese who hated 'not' being on my lap or around my neck. I'm happy knowing that i saved her from a horrible short life outdoors. The day before i caught her, i saw her crossing the busy road. If the cars didn't kill her, the the coyotes or the fishers would have. Still, i have a good feeling about her... just the way she looks at me sometimes... i feel we are connecting.

This is the first thing that immediately came to mind! The lyrics "I put a spell on you, because you're mine" ... the rest of course don't really fit, but yeah, she's putting a spell on you! ...




Pops

 

[azpops]

I'm sure you are right. I don't want to jeopardize what we've already built. I think she'll need at least a year (like yours) maybe more, to get comfortable. I don't think pushing her is going to work either. I'm going to continue working with her at her own pace and stick to what has worked, like you say. Plus with the dogs, it's added stress for Lily. We are going to take it slow

May be she could use a cat tree (or two, may be three ... ), or sometin similar? You knows, placed up next to the window so she can see the snow fallin and such.

Pops

 

[kimmer3d]

May be she could use a cat tree (or two, may be three ... ), or sometin similar? You knows, placed up next to the window so she can see the snow fallin and such.

Pops

I do have a cat tree that she uses. But my windows all have thick enough ledges that she used them all the time. She likes to spy on me and the dogs when we're outside. I look up and there's Lily, sitting at the window looking down at us. She's so cute.

 

[kimmer3d]

***Lily Update***

Things are moving smoothly with my little Lily. We had family over for Christmas, so Lily hid most of the time, but now she is back to her usual routine.

Just last night, when i was sitting and giving Lily some treats something extraordinary happened. She came over and sniffed my face! She smelled my eyebrows and then slowly up my forehead to my hairline. She did that for a few seconds then she smelled my hand with the treats... and licked it! That has never happened. I'm not entirely sure what it means, but i'm thrilled!

And then she played all night!

Thought i'd share.
Kim

 

[Talien]

***Lily Update***

Things are moving smoothly with my little Lily. We had family over for Christmas, so Lily hid most of the time, but now she is back to her usual routine.

Just last night, when i was sitting and giving Lily some treats something extraordinary happened. She came over and sniffed my face! She smelled my eyebrows and then slowly up my forehead to my hairline. She did that for a few seconds then she smelled my hand with the treats... and licked it! That has never happened. I'm not entirely sure what it means, but i'm thrilled!

And then she played all night!

Thought i'd share.
Kim

The next time she shows interest in your face try opening your mouth and lightly breathing out through it, if she sniffs your breath for more than just a brief instant then it's a good bet she's to the point where she feels very close to you.

 

[kimmer3d]

The next time she shows interest in your face try opening your mouth and lightly breathing out through it, if she sniffs your breath for more than just a brief instant then it's a good bet she's to the point where she feels very close to you.

Hihi. I thought about that. Thank you. I will definitely try it the next time she shows interest in my face. Hopefully tonight.

 

[dustydiamond1]

***Lily Update***

Things are moving smoothly with my little Lily. We had family over for Christmas, so Lily hid most of the time, but now she is back to her usual routine.

Just last night, when i was sitting and giving Lily some treats something extraordinary happened. She came over and sniffed my face! She smelled my eyebrows and then slowly up my forehead to my hairline. She did that for a few seconds then she smelled my hand with the treats... and licked it! That has never happened. I'm not entirely sure what it means, but i'm thrilled!

And then she played all night!

Thought i'd share.
Kim

Licking is loving! Gypsy licks us all the time, it really feels weird when she licks the forehead

 

[tabbytom]

She came over and sniffed my face! She smelled my eyebrows and then slowly up my forehead to my hairline. She did that for a few seconds then she smelled my hand with the treats... and licked it!

That's fantastic news! This shows that her confidence level is up and by doing that is her way of being appreciative of what you are doing for her and next time try to nose bump with her.

BTW, she's secretly owning you too and as she does that, she's leaving her scents on you. You are owned!

 

[kimmer3d]

Licking is loving! Gypsy licks us all the time, it really feels weird when she licks the forehead

It's very encouraging!

 

[kimmer3d]

That's fantastic news! This shows that her confidence level is up and by doing that is her way of being appreciative of what you are doing for her and next time try to nose bump with her.

BTW, she's secretly owning you too and as she does that, she's leaving her scents on you. You are owned!

Hihi. She's such a lovely cat, and so smart and playful. She can own me anytime

 

[dustydiamond1]

How are things going?

 

[kimmer3d]

How are things going?

Things are going great. Lily now has decided to come and smell my face each time i give her a treat or her food. So cute. She has stopped shoveling all her food in her mouth at once, and is taking her time with it. I think she realized that she gets food every day so she doesn't have to swallow it all at once. It's still baby steps with her, but it's very encouraging to see her progress. I think she's very happy to be inside.

 

[azpops]

... Just a subtle reminder, but the last pitcher we got to see's was 3 days shy of a month ago!

Anyways, just thought I'd send a reminder! ...

Pops ...

 

[kimmer3d]

... Just a subtle reminder, but the last pitcher we got to see's was 3 days shy of a month ago!

Anyways, just thought I'd send a reminder! ...

Pops ...

Hihi. She's sleeping now, i'll try to get a nice picture of her later today. I'll try to post more pictures regularly

 

[dustydiamond1]

Hihi. She's sleeping now, i'll try to get a nice picture of her later today. I'll try to post more pictures regularly

YaY photos!

 

[kimmer3d]

Hey everyone. Here are some pictures of Lily. She keeps moving, so unfortunately some of the pics are blurry. I'll try to get better ones later. She was playing with her mouse on 'her' bed

 

[tabbytom]

She's lovely!

You can post her photos here too :- bi-color-kitties-only.85808

 

[azpops]

Thanks for the pitchers!

She is beautiful, and looks right at home!

Pops

 

[kimmer3d]

***UPDATE***

Hello everyone. I just wanted to share some great news. After 9 months of love, patience and some more love, Lily has transformed into a beautiful house cat and total lap cat. She is just lovely, and funny, thinks she's a dog, and VERY affectionate. Gives me kisses every day. Loves her mommy. Love my little Lily.

Have a great summer,
Kim