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My Feral And Rescued Cats
- Thread starter Jcatbird
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tarasgirl06
Furballsmom
N
NY cat man
CL56
A day for true celebration! Thank you for sharing in this with me. Tears of joy! My fierce feral! The heart of a lion / teddy bear resides inside.
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BJ!!!!!!!!!
That's the best news for our favorite "catanova"!
That's the best news for our favorite "catanova"!
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Does she eat enough citrus fruit? When I had sores, I suspect it was scurvy from the pics I see online.
BJ the Lion Heart, you give us hope. You beat the odds & you got your impossible miracle.
Is it a wood furnace? Ours causes so much dust.
She's a good fresh produce consumer and I give her half a grapefruit every morning, so I doubt it. Scurvy is NASTY. Hope your sores are gone, never to return!Does she eat enough citrus fruit? When I had sores, I suspect it was scurvy from the pics I see online.
BJ the Lion Heart, you give us hope. You beat the odds & you got your impossible miracle.
Is it a wood furnace? Ours causes so much dust.
A day for true celebration! Thank you for sharing in this with me. Tears of joy! My fierce feral! The heart of a lion / teddy bear resides inside.
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No O'Malley last night either, I am hopping that the crappy weather is making him holed out somewhere.
Last edited:
*Joining you in that hope. And adding *PRAYERS*.*
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*Joining you in that hope. And adding *PRAYERS*.*
Thank you, tarasgirl, he is the only one of the four that goes away like this- for days on end. I can't help but fear that one of these times, he won't be coming back.
Old age and fighting are not a good combination.
In my background, we equate elders with experience. In the cat world, it is also the elders who have the experience. I'll keep thinking the glass is (more than) half full and that O'Malley is a very smart guy who knows what side his cat food bowl is on.
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- #5,532
Lari
Thank you! Our Catanova is free of that awful stuff! 
M maggiedemi The heat is electric. The doctor and vet are concerned that it may have some contamination in the system somewhere. I won’t be using it until I get a thorough investigation.
Bj is your example.
Good things can happen! We just have to remain hopeful. We do the best we can as we wait. I’m very glad you are eating good stuff.
tarasgirl06
The news about BJ is such a relief! When I first learned of the heartworms along with the FIV it was scary. Our sweet boy deserves to have some happy times! 
rubysmama
Yay BJ! He’s a fighter and a lover! Lol May he keep fighting. May they all keep fighting. Thank you for continued vibes. They are still needed. 
jefferd18
Since he is the “Top Cat” I would expect him to be the one to stick with his lady. It’s likely that he is running off other males. He will be keeping guard over the lady , at least until she is out of heat. Maybe longer if he feels she needs it. They are loyal and loving creatures. I’ve seen Toms do some really amazing things to protect other cats. Including those not in their clowder. I think he’ll be showing up when he needs a solid meal. He is certainly experienced enough to be finding food to get by on. The Lady May have led him to her resources too. Having the other males show up means they are not fighting him. That’s good. Sending locator and safety vibes for O’Malley! - Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5,533
I thought we might look back at the story of BJ in honor of his happy news!
The evolution from feral to friend.
After a couple of years of only seeing glimpses of this kitty, I finally convinced him he didn’t have to run.
He still remained elusive...
And hid from me, but he ate the food I left and he watched me.
He saw me as I helped his colony.
He analyzed the situation as only a cat can do.
He often warned me off but I kept moving in closer.
In time, I began attempting more.
Although he began to let me near, I did get warnings. Lol
At last, I found a food he could not resist. Treats were given quickly and cautiously.
After many months of trying to earn his trust, I was rewarded. I touched him.
He began to be calmer if I was near.
I was still given clear instructions in kitty speak.”Don’t approach without permission Hooman!”
He always loved having cover over his head. The Sweet Gum ( Falling Star) tree was his favorite. I always imagined he made many wishes under his tree.
This was the first time he left the cover of the swamp in my prescence.
I knew he had begun to trust me when he rolled over and exposed his tummy.
He finally followed me home.
His first night in as an enraged feral was a bit nerve wracking at first. I wondered how he would react.
He didn’t try to eat me, he simply hid.
He was quite vocal but mostly just to warn me that there were other human outside.
With time, he allowed petting with a glove.View attachment 321128
I brought in a baby Sweet Gum tree to make him feel more at home and he thanked me by rubbing against my feet.
I took him in to get a vet check and get him neutered. That’s when I learned he is FIV positive and had heartworms. I could not socialize him for adoption but I could bring him into my family. Being put back outside was never an option. He would not have survived.
I began to let the others meet him as he resided in the safety of his cage. The first to approach was his lady from outside, Flowers.Although they had been apart for awhile, they immediately re bonded. True love.
I began to allow BJ just outside of the cage door.
He was learning to allow petting. ( and enjoy it)
View attachment 321142
He had taken treats fro my knee outside. He remembered.
A lap could be good!View attachment 321144
As I sat on the floor with him, he started rubbing against me.
View attachment 321148
I started introducing him to being held by just lifting him slightly. At first he was indignant! Lol
However, he was starting to enjoy being inside.
Flowers helped by giving him kitty kisses.
I started to see a relaxed kitty.
He was obviously a gentle giant.
He was finally allowed to leave the cage permanently.
He snuggled with me on the sofa.I got kitty kisses. View attachment 321160
View attachment 321161
He made biscuits!
This fierce feral laid back in my arms like a baby. He wasn’t going to eat me after all!
His personality is far more than just wild kitty!
He loves everyone. Mitsy is another he knew outside. It had been over a year since he had seen her but it took only moments to rekindle the love.
View attachment 321168
Learning about inside things took time. The cat tree just didn’t work as well as his Sweet Gum tree. Lol
View attachment 321169
He quickly got the hang of napping on the sofa. Lol
And of doing absolutely adorable things!
He started protecting us all as he had his colony members outside. He alerted to any threatening noise.
He started settling in to life inside with a family.
We are a family.
Toys hold no interest but my glasses are very interesting.
He has his own pair now and he loves them. Perhaps they remind him of having Swet Gum leaves over his head.
Sharing a bed with a hooman is kind of nice too.
He is rewarded for giving love by getting love.
He adores all the kitties but pays special attention to the ladies.
He remembered his children too. He is quick to defend his son.
And he’s very gentle with his daughter.
He loves having a hat! Lol
No matter what it’s made of!
No matter how long he was separated from colony members, he remains loving and loyal.
He is gentle and protective of the Hooman now too. He doesn’t think she should be outside either!
BJ is loved by all!
I was grateful and delighted to hear that he is finally free of heartworms. No room for heartworms there! Perhaps it was because he has a heart full of love.
If anyone ever tells you that you cannot save or socialize a feral, send them here to meet BJ. An old feral Tom can love as much and as gently as any tame kitten. Ferals count as much as any other life. The heart full of love in this cat came from all of the people here who have given him a piece of their hearts! Thank you to all. I’m convinced that you saved him.
Have a great night everyone. Dreams of a happy BJ ! And as with any story from Chez Catbird......it ends, they lived happily ever after.
The evolution from feral to friend.
After a couple of years of only seeing glimpses of this kitty, I finally convinced him he didn’t have to run.
He still remained elusive...
And hid from me, but he ate the food I left and he watched me.
He saw me as I helped his colony.
He analyzed the situation as only a cat can do.
He often warned me off but I kept moving in closer.
In time, I began attempting more.
Although he began to let me near, I did get warnings. Lol
At last, I found a food he could not resist. Treats were given quickly and cautiously.
After many months of trying to earn his trust, I was rewarded. I touched him.
He began to be calmer if I was near.
I was still given clear instructions in kitty speak.”Don’t approach without permission Hooman!”
He always loved having cover over his head. The Sweet Gum ( Falling Star) tree was his favorite. I always imagined he made many wishes under his tree.
This was the first time he left the cover of the swamp in my prescence.
I knew he had begun to trust me when he rolled over and exposed his tummy.
He finally followed me home.
His first night in as an enraged feral was a bit nerve wracking at first. I wondered how he would react.
He didn’t try to eat me, he simply hid.
He was quite vocal but mostly just to warn me that there were other human outside.
With time, he allowed petting with a glove.View attachment 321128
I brought in a baby Sweet Gum tree to make him feel more at home and he thanked me by rubbing against my feet.
I took him in to get a vet check and get him neutered. That’s when I learned he is FIV positive and had heartworms. I could not socialize him for adoption but I could bring him into my family. Being put back outside was never an option. He would not have survived.
I began to let the others meet him as he resided in the safety of his cage. The first to approach was his lady from outside, Flowers.Although they had been apart for awhile, they immediately re bonded. True love.
I began to allow BJ just outside of the cage door.
He was learning to allow petting. ( and enjoy it)
He had taken treats fro my knee outside. He remembered.
A lap could be good!View attachment 321144
As I sat on the floor with him, he started rubbing against me.
I started introducing him to being held by just lifting him slightly. At first he was indignant! Lol
However, he was starting to enjoy being inside.
Flowers helped by giving him kitty kisses.
I started to see a relaxed kitty.
He was obviously a gentle giant.
He was finally allowed to leave the cage permanently.
He snuggled with me on the sofa.I got kitty kisses. View attachment 321160
View attachment 321161
He made biscuits!
This fierce feral laid back in my arms like a baby. He wasn’t going to eat me after all!
His personality is far more than just wild kitty!
He loves everyone. Mitsy is another he knew outside. It had been over a year since he had seen her but it took only moments to rekindle the love.
Learning about inside things took time. The cat tree just didn’t work as well as his Sweet Gum tree. Lol
View attachment 321169
He quickly got the hang of napping on the sofa. Lol
And of doing absolutely adorable things!
He started protecting us all as he had his colony members outside. He alerted to any threatening noise.
He started settling in to life inside with a family.
We are a family.
Toys hold no interest but my glasses are very interesting.
He has his own pair now and he loves them. Perhaps they remind him of having Swet Gum leaves over his head.
Sharing a bed with a hooman is kind of nice too.
He is rewarded for giving love by getting love.
He adores all the kitties but pays special attention to the ladies.
He remembered his children too. He is quick to defend his son.
And he’s very gentle with his daughter.
He loves having a hat! Lol
No matter what it’s made of!
No matter how long he was separated from colony members, he remains loving and loyal.
He is gentle and protective of the Hooman now too. He doesn’t think she should be outside either!
BJ is loved by all!
I was grateful and delighted to hear that he is finally free of heartworms. No room for heartworms there! Perhaps it was because he has a heart full of love.
If anyone ever tells you that you cannot save or socialize a feral, send them here to meet BJ. An old feral Tom can love as much and as gently as any tame kitten. Ferals count as much as any other life. The heart full of love in this cat came from all of the people here who have given him a piece of their hearts! Thank you to all. I’m convinced that you saved him.
Have a great night everyone. Dreams of a happy BJ ! And as with any story from Chez Catbird......it ends, they lived happily ever after.
If anyone ever tells you that you cannot save or socialize a feral, send them here to meet BJ. An old feral Tom can love as much and as gently as any tame kitten. Ferals count as much as any other life. The heart full of love in this cat came from all of the people here who have given him a piece of their hearts! Thank you to all. I’m convinced that you saved him.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5,536
So true! I wish everyone could experience the love of a BJ. , a Banjo, a Whistle , a Thrasher, a Kodiak or any other rescue kitty Their lives would be so wonderful! Happiness is a rescue kitty.
Thank you for recapping BJ's story for us. Even though I was here from the beginning, I didn't realize he'd been living outside for 2 years before he followed you home. That makes his transformation even more remarkable. 
I've bookmarked that post to keep handy for when someone needs reassurance that a feral can become a happy inside cat.
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I will second that notion, since Miss Eleanor was 4 years old when she decided to join us, and look how she turned out- a real cuddle cat.Thank you for recapping BJ's story for us. Even though I was here from the beginning, I didn't realize he'd been living outside for 2 years before he followed you home. That makes his transformation even more remarkable.
I've bookmarked that post to keep handy for when someone needs reassurance that a feral can become a happy inside cat.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2017
- Messages
- 17,149
- Purraise
- 44,482
The sores are all gone now that I'm eating every day. I don't have to wear that thick pancake makeup anymore.
We try the best we can, hope, and wait.
BJ teaches us a lot of lessons. To be both a Lover & a Fighter. Keep loving & keep fighting.
This sounds familiar.
I like that idea of hearts being made up of pieces given from others.
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