Oh Jenn, you've made such progress with Jimmy.
He's such a sweet and handsome boy and it sure seems like he loves his Mommy
He's such a sweet and handsome boy and it sure seems like he loves his Mommy
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Jimmy is having a breakthrough!!
- Thread starter jcribbs
- Start Date
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #942
jimmy purred.................. It was the sweetest feeling. I was holding him with my hand between his front legs and his little motor was just running.....
Awww, Jenn, that's great!
That shows what a secure, happy boy Jimmy is! What a wonderful sound that must have been. I'm so happy for both of you.
Oh Jenn, that's wonderful news.
That just shows that with time, the proper care and especially a lot of love that all most any cat can be won over.
I'll bet that sound just melted your heart.
Bless, you, Juan and Eileen...you were truly Jimmy's Angels and what a wonderful pay off it's had.
That just shows that with time, the proper care and especially a lot of love that all most any cat can be won over.
I'll bet that sound just melted your heart.
Bless, you, Juan and Eileen...you were truly Jimmy's Angels and what a wonderful pay off it's had.
How long has it taken? I ask cause I've a Siamese mix Frodo, that I'm working on. Alas I can get really close but NO TOUCHING is the rule,
and I get hissed at if I do. He is NOT afraid of me, he is SO intelligent. He watched me handle the kittens gently and he knows I don't harm the cats.
He looves kittens (I had a rescue bunch
for 4 days and he played so gentle with them..) and other cats, but
they (my cats) don't like him, LOL.
I keep him in because he won't let me pet, and catch and I worry
if he goes out and the others chase him, he won't know to come
back... but I really do want to let him outside one day....
I live in a place that's not quite safe *sigh*.
I'd be interested in knowing how Jimmy did the indoor to outdoor
transition and how all your brood gets on...
and I get hissed at if I do. He is NOT afraid of me, he is SO intelligent. He watched me handle the kittens gently and he knows I don't harm the cats.
He looves kittens (I had a rescue bunch
for 4 days and he played so gentle with them..) and other cats, but
they (my cats) don't like him, LOL.
I keep him in because he won't let me pet, and catch and I worry
if he goes out and the others chase him, he won't know to come
back... but I really do want to let him outside one day....
I live in a place that's not quite safe *sigh*.
I'd be interested in knowing how Jimmy did the indoor to outdoor
transition and how all your brood gets on...
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #946
Hi Opilot,
Let me say first I don't let Jimmy out. The first 3-4 months he lived in a closet with his crate by choice. I would never let Jimmy run outside. I think he would come back in but I am not taking the chance. We have an enclosure that he enjoys.
I am not sure how long it took for me to touch him...(not pet him). Close to a year I think. Give or take a month. I just left him alone, but spoke to him. That way he felt no pressure and just slowly integrated himself in our household at his own pace.
April 19th was two years...
It's a slow process. The mother watching you hold the kittens will help her. She will know your smell.
Just basically ignore her as you go about your day. If she is in an area you need to be in, talk to her too but don't be pushy with her. Use the same tone of voice with her so she can ge used to the sound of your voice. Eventually your voice will be a security for her.. Keep things in the household calm. She will learn the routine. Jimmy did.
One thing I used to do with him is stay up late at night with him when he started venturing out. Night time was easier for him. I kept the lights low so the house remained in shadows and he felt more secure -- half hidden. He eventually would sit in the room with me. I would act like a statue because I was afraid to spook him. Now after two years, he is very comfortable. He is secure and I pet him, pick him up, worm him, give him shots and do just about anything I do to the other cats. He handles it because he trusts me. I doubt anyone else could do these things with him. He is my cat. He is starting to let hubby touch him now. He will smell his hand without being afraid but he doesn't like him the same as me. But I have spend many many many many hours working with Jimmy.
But seriously, the first year was Jimmy's year. It was his year of just integrating himself at his own pace in our house. We have other cats so part of that was finding his place in the pack. As he got more secure with them, he would follow them and mimic them. He watched them getting petted with no bad reprecussions. That helped him. He very very slowly learned to trust me...
He is still learning. He doesn't sit in my lap. He doesn't lay on my feet. He won't sleep on the bed with me in it. But-- he lays on the couch a few feet away when I am sitting on it. He will walk to the couch when I am laying down if I call him. And that was a biggie. Him walking to ME when I call him...
Today I wormed them all. He takes it like a champ. He has never scratched, bit or slapped me. But it is because I did not pressure him in any way. NEVER.. Everything was always the way Jimmy wanted it.
The hardest thing we did was moving a few months after we had him... But he took it like a champ because he moved with his "friend cats".. They made him feel secure because they all moved together. He was not alone in a new environment. He was wit his group. It went very very easy..
Good luck with your girl. Patience and no pressure are all you need. And time. Sometimes it takes a long time. I read a story once about someone who had a feral for 10 yrs before she could touch him... that poor cat had a lot to get over... You just never know what a cat has been through.
Jimmy took 3 and a half years approx to reach this point in his development. He was in a rescue situation for a year before I had him with people working on him.... It takes time.....
Jenn
p.s. I just read your post again...... oops..... its a boy cat!! not the mama.....
Let me say first I don't let Jimmy out. The first 3-4 months he lived in a closet with his crate by choice. I would never let Jimmy run outside. I think he would come back in but I am not taking the chance. We have an enclosure that he enjoys.
I am not sure how long it took for me to touch him...(not pet him). Close to a year I think. Give or take a month. I just left him alone, but spoke to him. That way he felt no pressure and just slowly integrated himself in our household at his own pace.
April 19th was two years...
It's a slow process. The mother watching you hold the kittens will help her. She will know your smell.
Just basically ignore her as you go about your day. If she is in an area you need to be in, talk to her too but don't be pushy with her. Use the same tone of voice with her so she can ge used to the sound of your voice. Eventually your voice will be a security for her.. Keep things in the household calm. She will learn the routine. Jimmy did.
One thing I used to do with him is stay up late at night with him when he started venturing out. Night time was easier for him. I kept the lights low so the house remained in shadows and he felt more secure -- half hidden. He eventually would sit in the room with me. I would act like a statue because I was afraid to spook him. Now after two years, he is very comfortable. He is secure and I pet him, pick him up, worm him, give him shots and do just about anything I do to the other cats. He handles it because he trusts me. I doubt anyone else could do these things with him. He is my cat. He is starting to let hubby touch him now. He will smell his hand without being afraid but he doesn't like him the same as me. But I have spend many many many many hours working with Jimmy.
But seriously, the first year was Jimmy's year. It was his year of just integrating himself at his own pace in our house. We have other cats so part of that was finding his place in the pack. As he got more secure with them, he would follow them and mimic them. He watched them getting petted with no bad reprecussions. That helped him. He very very slowly learned to trust me...
He is still learning. He doesn't sit in my lap. He doesn't lay on my feet. He won't sleep on the bed with me in it. But-- he lays on the couch a few feet away when I am sitting on it. He will walk to the couch when I am laying down if I call him. And that was a biggie. Him walking to ME when I call him...
Today I wormed them all. He takes it like a champ. He has never scratched, bit or slapped me. But it is because I did not pressure him in any way. NEVER.. Everything was always the way Jimmy wanted it.
The hardest thing we did was moving a few months after we had him... But he took it like a champ because he moved with his "friend cats".. They made him feel secure because they all moved together. He was not alone in a new environment. He was wit his group. It went very very easy..
Good luck with your girl. Patience and no pressure are all you need. And time. Sometimes it takes a long time. I read a story once about someone who had a feral for 10 yrs before she could touch him... that poor cat had a lot to get over... You just never know what a cat has been through.
Jimmy took 3 and a half years approx to reach this point in his development. He was in a rescue situation for a year before I had him with people working on him.... It takes time.....
Jenn
p.s. I just read your post again...... oops..... its a boy cat!! not the mama.....
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #947
elly and gracie......... that purr was a great feeling.... It was a strong purr. And it surprised the heck out of me.... It was the first!!!
Star does not purr like that...IF SHE PURRS, it is a weak little purr and I have to struggle to make sure it is really her and not another cat laying beside her purring loudly. I have had her close to 5 yrs now and Jimmy is much more friendly than Star. He loves being petted. She does not.. he comes to me to be petted but not Star... I have to approach her much slower than Jimmy. With Jimmy, I just let him know I am coming to pet him so he doesn't feel surprised and that's all I have to do. He is ready anytime to be scratched under his chin.....
One day, he will be a true love bug... He just can't help himself.
Today I wormed everyone. I'm waiting on Frontline Plus in the mail. It will be here either tomorrow or Monday.. Then I can relax. I put some DE in the enclosure to ward off fleas. Haven't seen any but we treat the yard too so that's probably why. But I know the woods are full of ticks. Juan and I spray ourselves when we work outside. We have been concreting a post in the ground every couple days after work getting a large perimeter ready for cat fencing. We got lazy and got off track but we are determined to give the cats something huge where they can play and relax and be safe. It is slowly but surely getting there.
Everyone is well and doing good and looking great.
Star does not purr like that...IF SHE PURRS, it is a weak little purr and I have to struggle to make sure it is really her and not another cat laying beside her purring loudly. I have had her close to 5 yrs now and Jimmy is much more friendly than Star. He loves being petted. She does not.. he comes to me to be petted but not Star... I have to approach her much slower than Jimmy. With Jimmy, I just let him know I am coming to pet him so he doesn't feel surprised and that's all I have to do. He is ready anytime to be scratched under his chin.....
Today I wormed everyone. I'm waiting on Frontline Plus in the mail. It will be here either tomorrow or Monday.. Then I can relax. I put some DE in the enclosure to ward off fleas. Haven't seen any but we treat the yard too so that's probably why. But I know the woods are full of ticks. Juan and I spray ourselves when we work outside. We have been concreting a post in the ground every couple days after work getting a large perimeter ready for cat fencing. We got lazy and got off track but we are determined to give the cats something huge where they can play and relax and be safe. It is slowly but surely getting there.
Everyone is well and doing good and looking great.
Jimmy sounds like a really great cat who just had a rough beginning. Bless you and Juan for caring so much. Jimmy is lucky to have you in his life.
The purring probably felt good to him too.
Congratulations.
The purring probably felt good to him too.
Congratulations.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #949
Well, here are a couple of pics of our enclosure enlargement progress.
We have some posts in the ground. We are going to do the enlargement different. We are going to frame the outside portion and put eye hooks on top of each post in the frame. and run lead wires all over it. Straight across and up and down it lengthwise. Then we can attach the fencing to the lead wires. We can make it bigger than way and also can shape it odd with no trouble.... Each post is 8-10 feet from the other. Framing it is easier that way...
We'll put a few posts in the center just for the eye hooks as we fence the top. We might use metal posts for that and drive them in the ground through the rock. Like sucker rod... Not sure about that yet. But the plan is to have their 20 x 20 covered with a much larger area for play. Like 50 x 40. All of the area you see in these pics is the kitty area ...
We are moving the gate also. We want a 4' gate. Juan is going to frame it in with 2 x 4's so it will be square.
In this one, you can see we are bringing it out 10' larger from the original. The 20 x 20 section is going to be enclosed for winter. We are going to tin it with a rock bottom. Juan also wants to put a mist line going through the middle of the whole thing when we get finished. We are going to hook it to the water line in the bathroom since it is on that side of the house. He wants a timer on it for summer months to keep them hydrated..
This picture is coming out from where one corner of the 20 foot section is going to be expanded. It is actually longer than this but this gives you an idea.
And no enclosure would be complete without catnip.... It has really grown this year..
And that's our tour for today.... The cats sit and watch us. We tell them we are working for them....
Jenn
We have some posts in the ground. We are going to do the enlargement different. We are going to frame the outside portion and put eye hooks on top of each post in the frame. and run lead wires all over it. Straight across and up and down it lengthwise. Then we can attach the fencing to the lead wires. We can make it bigger than way and also can shape it odd with no trouble.... Each post is 8-10 feet from the other. Framing it is easier that way...
We'll put a few posts in the center just for the eye hooks as we fence the top. We might use metal posts for that and drive them in the ground through the rock. Like sucker rod... Not sure about that yet. But the plan is to have their 20 x 20 covered with a much larger area for play. Like 50 x 40. All of the area you see in these pics is the kitty area ...
We are moving the gate also. We want a 4' gate. Juan is going to frame it in with 2 x 4's so it will be square.
In this one, you can see we are bringing it out 10' larger from the original. The 20 x 20 section is going to be enclosed for winter. We are going to tin it with a rock bottom. Juan also wants to put a mist line going through the middle of the whole thing when we get finished. We are going to hook it to the water line in the bathroom since it is on that side of the house. He wants a timer on it for summer months to keep them hydrated..
This picture is coming out from where one corner of the 20 foot section is going to be expanded. It is actually longer than this but this gives you an idea.
And no enclosure would be complete without catnip.... It has really grown this year..
And that's our tour for today.... The cats sit and watch us. We tell them we are working for them....
Jenn
It is so good to read your story - I am glad that Jimmy continues to do well. When I first took our kittens in (three ferals), I read this thread obsessively. It gave me hope and showed what patience can do. Two of our kittens have really come around to us - they love both the husband and myself (just got done with an epic petting session that Conor demanded...she mews and mews until she gets her good ol' belly rub). Steve is not quite there yet, but reading things like this show me in those frustrating times that we can do this. Thank you!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #951
You CAN do it.....!! And I am so glad Jimmy's story inspires... There is nothing quite like a feral love, is there?
And I love the names Steve and Coner. That is so cute!! What is the third ones name??
And I love the names Steve and Coner. That is so cute!! What is the third ones name??
Thanks so much for sharing. Frodo boy actually escaped the house on Friday.
My Mom was visiting and we let him out of his room and
he finally found the pet door (which he didn't seem to know or understand before, so we never worried about it).
He hung in the yard for several hours, napping, observing, smelling the deck
stairs and deck. Orienting himself I believe. Then poof he vanished.
He hasn't come back inside, but we've left door open for him to wander in
if he needs to. I hope and pray (please send vibes) that he will learn to come
back inside, and trust us enought do it?? Prayers all who read, please!
He is a lovely boy, and we truely do not know what happened to him. He was great with the kittens, and good with other cats (not overly aggressive),
and he definitely was playful with me... I think he would come round to
being an outdoor/indoor, but at this point, after 2 days of no sightings I'm
worried. Just seeing him would be great!!
I will follow your posts on Jimmy's progress
and give you updates on Frodo when I finally do see him. Fingers crossed!!
he finally found the pet door (which he didn't seem to know or understand before, so we never worried about it).
He hung in the yard for several hours, napping, observing, smelling the deck
stairs and deck. Orienting himself I believe. Then poof he vanished.
He hasn't come back inside, but we've left door open for him to wander in
if he needs to. I hope and pray (please send vibes) that he will learn to come
back inside, and trust us enought do it?? Prayers all who read, please!
He is a lovely boy, and we truely do not know what happened to him. He was great with the kittens, and good with other cats (not overly aggressive),
and he definitely was playful with me... I think he would come round to
being an outdoor/indoor, but at this point, after 2 days of no sightings I'm
worried. Just seeing him would be great!!
I will follow your posts on Jimmy's progress
and give you updates on Frodo when I finally do see him. Fingers crossed!!
Steve is slowly - but surely- making progress! The other two were just a bit quicker
The other kitten is named Paddington. My husband picked that one out - he thought tiny kitten Paddington looked like a little baby bear, so he named him after Paddington bear. Steve was Niamh (it rhymes with Steve - pronounced Neve) when we first took them in, but we discovered 'she' was a 'he' and since Niamh is such a girly name, we felt it had to be changed. Conor got to keep the name even after we discovered she was a female, because she is a bit of tomboy. The husband actually calls her "Rina" as one of her nicknames is Conorina.
Feral love is the best. And stories like yours really made all of this seem viable. Before we officially took them in, we were really unsure whether or not we could do it. But the success of others showed us we could!
The other kitten is named Paddington. My husband picked that one out - he thought tiny kitten Paddington looked like a little baby bear, so he named him after Paddington bear. Steve was Niamh (it rhymes with Steve - pronounced Neve) when we first took them in, but we discovered 'she' was a 'he' and since Niamh is such a girly name, we felt it had to be changed. Conor got to keep the name even after we discovered she was a female, because she is a bit of tomboy. The husband actually calls her "Rina" as one of her nicknames is Conorina.
Feral love is the best. And stories like yours really made all of this seem viable. Before we officially took them in, we were really unsure whether or not we could do it. But the success of others showed us we could!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #954
Your names for them are so cute. And it doesn't matter about boy and girl names. I have one very manly kitty named tulip.... We thought he was a girl too. Now HE is a all boy cat. His middle name is Tina. Tulip Tina.. I call him Tula..... He knows his name and I could never change it....
Quick update. we SAW Frodo! Last night and the night before. Also this morning for food on the deck. He is definitely hanging round, checking us out, getting food resting and feeling "safe" in the yard...
I do not know what will happen when it gets cold out, maybe he'll learn
by then to come in where it is warm and nice??
I don't know... but he does seem able to hang around, he lets
us get sort of close without running away, and seems much more
relaxed and happy out there... alert and curious and ready to
explore...fingers crossed he becomes a cat that hangs nearby.
I do suspect he was someone's out door feral, and that he mostly
lived outside except when really cold. He does sort of have the
whole "door" thing down...
fingers crossed he'll start becoming more friendly as he realizes
that life is GOOD outside AND In!!
I do not know what will happen when it gets cold out, maybe he'll learn
by then to come in where it is warm and nice??
I don't know... but he does seem able to hang around, he lets
us get sort of close without running away, and seems much more
relaxed and happy out there... alert and curious and ready to
explore...fingers crossed he becomes a cat that hangs nearby.
I do suspect he was someone's out door feral, and that he mostly
lived outside except when really cold. He does sort of have the
whole "door" thing down...
fingers crossed he'll start becoming more friendly as he realizes
that life is GOOD outside AND In!!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #956
oh good........ that's wonderful...... go frodo, go frodo........
I hope he starts trusting you before winter sets in......
Just plan ahead with some sort of shelter. And possibly he will get used to it before it's gets cold.....
i am so glad for you!
I hope he starts trusting you before winter sets in......
Just plan ahead with some sort of shelter. And possibly he will get used to it before it's gets cold.....
i am so glad for you!
Very cool enclosure. Your kitties have a good life!
Tulip Tina is way too cute to change. How many kitties do you have that will go into the enclosure.
Tulip Tina is way too cute to change. How many kitties do you have that will go into the enclosure.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #958
We have 22 cats and a dauchaund that will share the enclosure.
Muffin the dauchaund is a kitty whose purr button is broken........
She goes in and out the cat door with them all the time.
We have three big dogs too but Muffin hangs with the kitties.
Muffin the dauchaund is a kitty whose purr button is broken........
We have three big dogs too but Muffin hangs with the kitties.
WOW. 22. You must be running a mini sanctuary. I hope one day I would be able to do so much for so many. I admire your devotion and love for them.
As for the doggycat I just love dachshunds. They are such clever little sweeties.
The visual of him frolicking with his cat pals is too precious. I hope no one ever tells him that he is not a cat. I think he would be disappointed.
As for the doggycat I just love dachshunds. They are such clever little sweeties.
The visual of him frolicking with his cat pals is too precious. I hope no one ever tells him that he is not a cat. I think he would be disappointed.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #960
Well, hubby built the kitties a kitty shelf yesterday and they love it!!!
This is a pic of Honey and Mama exploring on it..... They were the first to check it out..... Since it was new, they all sat and stared at it for an hr or so before venturing up the ramp.....
Here's Jimmy looking at mama and Honey........
"hmm, do I want to check that out???"
Then this morning JJ, my three legged wonder got up three and the incline on the ramp was too steep for him to attemp to come down.. He was scared...
So I made him a handicapped ramp!! It consists of three old 2x6's that I had laying around, He tried and slipped a little and promplty jumped back o the shelf. so......I tied a rope around it for traction for him...... He loves it and uses it.. He feels safe again now......
This is the handicapped ramp.....
This is a pic of Honey and Mama exploring on it..... They were the first to check it out..... Since it was new, they all sat and stared at it for an hr or so before venturing up the ramp.....
Here's Jimmy looking at mama and Honey........
"hmm, do I want to check that out???"
Then this morning JJ, my three legged wonder got up three and the incline on the ramp was too steep for him to attemp to come down.. He was scared...
So I made him a handicapped ramp!! It consists of three old 2x6's that I had laying around, He tried and slipped a little and promplty jumped back o the shelf. so......I tied a rope around it for traction for him...... He loves it and uses it.. He feels safe again now......
This is the handicapped ramp.....
