Shelter cat is broken and super depressed

[VAMama]

I finally have a game to play with her. I use my fingers to "walk" to her slowly, tap her nose, and pull away. Then walk my fingers up again, tap a paw, and pull away. She watches my hand with interest. I think she senses it's a kind of game.

 

[tabbytom]

I finally have a game to play with her. I use my fingers to "walk" to her slowly, tap her nose, and pull away. Then walk my fingers up again, tap a paw, and pull away. She watches my hand with interest. I think she senses it's a kind of game.

Good job! Keep it up!

 

[VAMama]

Tonight she got pets and she was purring! We have to initiate but she's much more receptive!

 

[catloverfromwayback]

You're making such great progress with her!

 

[iPappy]

Tonight she got pets and she was purring! We have to initiate but she's much more receptive!

This made me smile, for real!!! This is such a sweet and happy update

 

[Margot Lane]

This made me smile, for real!!! This is such a sweet and happy update

PURRING! SUCH a good sign! And self soothing as well. Do you talk to her, to get her used to your voice?

 

[tabbytom]

Tonight she got pets and she was purring! We have to initiate but she's much more receptive!

 

[Alldara]

Tonight she got pets and she was purring! We have to initiate but she's much more receptive!

awww how wonderful!

 

[VAMama]

PURRING! SUCH a good sign! And self soothing as well. Do you talk to her, to get her used to your voice?

Oh yes we talk to her a lot. Sometimes I sit with her for several minutes just to talk.

 

[artiemom]

Tonight she got pets and she was purring! We have to initiate but she's much more receptive!

This is wonderful news!! Love it!! Purring!! OMG....

Oh yes we talk to her a lot. Sometimes I sit with her for several minutes just to talk.

Yes, talking makes a huge difference to kitties.

 

[VAMama]

Funny how that face perks up when she sees the food dish!

 

[artiemom]

Funny how that face perks up when she sees the food dish!

Cosette is beautiful.. So, she is food motivated!! Good to know! That can help a lot.

I will say, she has the same "wary" look in her eyes as Geoffrey. I recognize it as a loving, but 'wary' look. Just need to to get out of her 'meatloaf' position. She is out of the box, although behind it.. Small steps, although she has come a long way, in just. a few weeks.

This is the first thread I look for, daily. I love seeing Cosette's progress.

Sometimes, it seems as if the progress is taking forever; but, honestly, you are doing an amazing job with her!

 

[VAMama]

Last night I put her dish right in the doorway. We leave the door open at night. Early this morning Cosette was spotted at the door peeking down the hall. The house was quiet and she didn't know a human was up. Of course she is insulted that a human dared to see her, so now she's glaring at us from behind her box!

 

[tabbytom]

Last night I put her dish right in the doorway. We leave the door open at night. Early this morning Cosette was spotted at the door peeking down the hall. The house was quiet and she didn't know a human was up. Of course she is insulted that a human dared to see her, so now she's glaring at us from behind her box!

She’s venturing out which is good as she is gathering her courage to explore. I suggest that you take some of her scent soaked towels and leave it along the door and the hall way. This will encourage her to move around and also familiar scents will help her gain confidence.

Praise her for peeking down the hall way is also a way to encourage her. She is a smart cat and she knows how to retreat back to the box which is good.

 

[artiemom]

All this sounds so wonderful!!

 

[iPappy]

Last night I put her dish right in the doorway. We leave the door open at night. Early this morning Cosette was spotted at the door peeking down the hall. The house was quiet and she didn't know a human was up. Of course she is insulted that a human dared to see her, so now she's glaring at us from behind her box!

I would keep it up, and do the scent trick as well. This is so encouraging from where she was a month ago! The curiosity alone is incompatible with that complete emotionally shut down place she was at when you got her. You're doing a great job with her.

 

[Caspers Human]

You're doing a great job with her.

Seriously! You should go into business with Jackson Galaxy!
Except, instead of naming your show, "My Cat From Hell," you should call it, "My Cat's BEEN THROUGH Hell!"

You seem to have a great understanding about traumatized cats and how to rehabilitate them!

 

[VAMama]

"I'm pretending I don't see you"

 

[Gunther4ever]

She's a beautiful kitty.

 

[Caspers Human]

If she's "pretending to ignore you" that's a good thing.

Cats go all eyes on humans they don't trust. When a cat doesn't look at you, on purpose, that means she doesn't feel the need to keep eyes on you at all times.