Emily has been with me now for almost 9 years. She was rescued from the streets with her 4 kittens and was always "special". Her kittens were allöwed to be friendly but Emily kept herself well away from anyone who entered her room - usually sitting up on the highest shelf. By the time her kittens were old enough to be adopted, I at least had some sort of relationship with Emily - she would come to me when called, sat on my lap before giving me a swipe and running away. Nobody wanted Emily so she was slowly introduced to my other cats and is now a member of my cat family (at present 4 female adult cats.) She has refused all contact with other members of the family - greeting them with hisses and growls. She tolerates the other cats but keeps her distance from them too. Humans are still her biggest problem.
Up to now, at night, my 2 black cats have slept on me or on my left side, near the upper half of my body. Emily has kept near my feet and, after an initial cuddle, Woolly Bear finds herself somewhere comfortable away from the rest of us. I have always known that if I stretch out a hand during the night to find out which cat is close by and touch Emily, she will probably react with a viscious swipe. Yes, she sometimes draws blood but it's only my hand and I should have known better than to annoy her.
Unfortunately, she now prefers to get closer to me at night - she lies right up against my right shoulder. My scalp was scatched when Katy, in her eagerness to throw her little body against my head, got a bit too close to Emily who reacted as expected, frightening Katy who then ran over my head with extended claws. No real harm was done. But, 2 nights ago, in the early hours of the morning I turned over towards Emily, who jumped on my left arm - giving me a hefty bite and deep scratches. The bite swelled up immediately and I was dripping blood. I ran to the bathroom - probably frightening Emily even more and treated my wounds. When I returned she was sitting on the bed, waiting for me as if nothing had happened.
And now......... I have lost my confidence in Emily - I am trying to treat her as before, but I can see she senses my fear and is cautious. During the day I can manage - I can read her body language and can anticipate changes in her moods. But at night - I try to cocoon myself in the bedclothes. I am usually half awake whenever Katy is purring away and crawling around my neck so that I can be alert to Emily's presence and bad temper. But, I can't prevent myself from turning over - in the still of the night - and provoking another attack from Emily. Must I ban all my cats from my bedroom? Katy hates closed doors - and she's the one I'll miss most at night - I think she'll miss me too.
My daughter is really worried that Emily is capable of doing far more damage - perhaps to my eyes - my arm looks as though it's been mauled by a lion but it seems to be healing well. At least the swelling has gone down. I suppose I could wear a thick protective overall and crash helmet with visor in bed - but I would certainly prefer not to!
I am obviously the problem but we seemed to be getting along so well. I'm now scared to offer her my hand, let her rub herself against my face or put mhand under her stomach - things I would previously do without thinking. Has anybody any ideas? The problem seems to be simply that we have advanced too far - we have finished up too close to each other, at least at night when Emily is perhaps most vulnerable and insecure.
Up to now, at night, my 2 black cats have slept on me or on my left side, near the upper half of my body. Emily has kept near my feet and, after an initial cuddle, Woolly Bear finds herself somewhere comfortable away from the rest of us. I have always known that if I stretch out a hand during the night to find out which cat is close by and touch Emily, she will probably react with a viscious swipe. Yes, she sometimes draws blood but it's only my hand and I should have known better than to annoy her.
Unfortunately, she now prefers to get closer to me at night - she lies right up against my right shoulder. My scalp was scatched when Katy, in her eagerness to throw her little body against my head, got a bit too close to Emily who reacted as expected, frightening Katy who then ran over my head with extended claws. No real harm was done. But, 2 nights ago, in the early hours of the morning I turned over towards Emily, who jumped on my left arm - giving me a hefty bite and deep scratches. The bite swelled up immediately and I was dripping blood. I ran to the bathroom - probably frightening Emily even more and treated my wounds. When I returned she was sitting on the bed, waiting for me as if nothing had happened.
And now......... I have lost my confidence in Emily - I am trying to treat her as before, but I can see she senses my fear and is cautious. During the day I can manage - I can read her body language and can anticipate changes in her moods. But at night - I try to cocoon myself in the bedclothes. I am usually half awake whenever Katy is purring away and crawling around my neck so that I can be alert to Emily's presence and bad temper. But, I can't prevent myself from turning over - in the still of the night - and provoking another attack from Emily. Must I ban all my cats from my bedroom? Katy hates closed doors - and she's the one I'll miss most at night - I think she'll miss me too.
My daughter is really worried that Emily is capable of doing far more damage - perhaps to my eyes - my arm looks as though it's been mauled by a lion but it seems to be healing well. At least the swelling has gone down. I suppose I could wear a thick protective overall and crash helmet with visor in bed - but I would certainly prefer not to!
I am obviously the problem but we seemed to be getting along so well. I'm now scared to offer her my hand, let her rub herself against my face or put mhand under her stomach - things I would previously do without thinking. Has anybody any ideas? The problem seems to be simply that we have advanced too far - we have finished up too close to each other, at least at night when Emily is perhaps most vulnerable and insecure.
