I posted last May about Lippy, my last feral to be fixed, and today after our cuddle session I simply have to share about his progress.
Here's the link to that thread.
It took me nearly two years to be able to trap him, (he was totally untouchable), and he ended up spending nearly a month in the playpen cage till I could get him in for neutering. After being fixed and his recovery period, I let him out and he went absent for a couple days so I couldn't subject him to such indignities again.
It wasn't long before he came back close to the house expecting me to feed him and he stayed close thereafter as if to say, "you did this to me now you are responsible for me".
Over time I was able to reach down and pet him and eventually I started forcing my attentions on him by picking up, petting and talking to him.
Today I picked him up and sat in an outside chair as I've often done and managed to start rubbing his belly. He just loved it!
He rolled and purred and thoroughly enjoyed himself. I finally had to encourage him to get down instead of him wanting down before I was ready.
Eventually I'm hoping to integrate him into the crew and have everyone get along. That may be a bit of an undertaking since he appointed himself as guard cat, often trying to swat anyone coming in or going out.
I have faith that over time it will be done though because when he's getting attention from me he is not at all aggressive to any cats that come up to us.
Besides Sylvester, Lippy has been my longest tame down ever.
Sylvester is a tux that has always been timid rather than aggressive and even though I've captured and brought him in for the winter in the past, the moment he goes back out he reverts to not letting me near him.
This year I'm working with him more; brushing, petting, giving snacks and lots of talking. I am determined to finally have all my guys comfortable with me this year, (or maybe next, or the one after that).
Here's a couple pics of the tough guy.
Here's the link to that thread.
It took me nearly two years to be able to trap him, (he was totally untouchable), and he ended up spending nearly a month in the playpen cage till I could get him in for neutering. After being fixed and his recovery period, I let him out and he went absent for a couple days so I couldn't subject him to such indignities again.
It wasn't long before he came back close to the house expecting me to feed him and he stayed close thereafter as if to say, "you did this to me now you are responsible for me".
Over time I was able to reach down and pet him and eventually I started forcing my attentions on him by picking up, petting and talking to him.
Today I picked him up and sat in an outside chair as I've often done and managed to start rubbing his belly. He just loved it!
Eventually I'm hoping to integrate him into the crew and have everyone get along. That may be a bit of an undertaking since he appointed himself as guard cat, often trying to swat anyone coming in or going out.
I have faith that over time it will be done though because when he's getting attention from me he is not at all aggressive to any cats that come up to us.
Besides Sylvester, Lippy has been my longest tame down ever.
Sylvester is a tux that has always been timid rather than aggressive and even though I've captured and brought him in for the winter in the past, the moment he goes back out he reverts to not letting me near him.
This year I'm working with him more; brushing, petting, giving snacks and lots of talking. I am determined to finally have all my guys comfortable with me this year, (or maybe next, or the one after that).
Here's a couple pics of the tough guy.