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She totally is. It’s pretty funny to see her so hopelessly enamored.I just want to say how much I love that Chai is a super Chilli fangirl.
She totally is. It’s pretty funny to see her so hopelessly enamored.I just want to say how much I love that Chai is a super Chilli fangirl.
Not only beautiful Chili. You were/are so patient and clever (your contented cat impersonation was Genius! ) with both of them. I'm so proud of all three of youSemi-feral who?
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Plus, a bonus video of her playing.
It's just amazing how fast she's changed! She went from being scared of all toys while in the bathroom to immediately rolling around and playing with me like she's been doing it her whole life. All because the love of her life, Chilli, is nearby.
Awwww.
Ditto.Awwww.
Nothing really! But yeah, teeth are the main worry health-wise. She definitely has been having some snuffly moments, especially when playing upside down (her favorite way to play!). Still much better than when she first arrived though. Her ears also seem pretty gross at the moment and last night she was holding them funny, so hopefully isn’t mites or something. Vet later this week. Otherwise she’s full of energy and seems like a pretty happy cat to me!I think you're pretty good from here. Any other worries besides the teeth?
That’s good advice, thank you!! That’s sort of what I’ve been doing... but I feel as though we’re not really getting anywhere lately. I keep my hand in a loose fist with the back of the hand up, and sometimes extend a finger for her to sniff. When I’m lying in bed and do it (my mattress is on the ground) she will usually sniff my hand and not seem too scared. Sometimes she very lightly touches it with a paw to investigate. But it’s kind of stopped at that, and she doesn’t really seem to have any interest in approaching any further. If I push it, she gets giant feral eyes and shrinks away from me.How are you reaching out your hand and how is it positioned? I read that you should hold the back of your hand out to them and let them approach you. That worked with Mocha, and I also had to be on the floor and not standing over her. I spent a lot of weeks sitting on the floor with the back of my hand out to her, but Chai is much farther along than Mocha was.
I discovered, too, that when I was able to reach out to her without her darting away, I had to keep my hand (still the back of my hand) below the level of her back. If I tried to go over the top of her like I was going to stroke the top of her head or her back, it scared her. But I could gently stroke down her side.
I’m not sure if it was helpful or total coincidence, but as I’ve continued to pet Chai throughout the day (it wasn’t a one-time thing! yay!), each time I pet Chilli around the cheeks very thoroughly first to try and get happy Chilli scent on my hands. I also try to make sure Chai is watching me pet her for a bit, to see how relaxing and safe it is. I think you mentioned you had another cat in with Ruby? Perhaps you could try petting him/her first.WOW!! What a great video of Chai getting some really nice pets! Congratulations! I can imagine how thrilled you must be!
I also am paying attention to what Rosegold and Tobermorey wrote about petting and using your hands. I have been so sad that Ruby continues to be afraid of being touched and so confused about how to change that. She used to let me pet her when I gave her treats, but now she hardly allows even that, and she cowers when I reach anything (wand, brush, hands) out to her. BUT, I like the ideas I just read about sitting on the floor, using the back of your hand, etc. and I will try them. Also, I appreciate hearing that Tobermorey spent quite a bit of time being patient, holding out the back of her hand to Mocha. I always thought I was a patient person... seems I'm not! So thanks very much for sharing these hints!
On Thursday! I will update how it goes.When is her appointment with the vet?
Best of luck.I’m not sure if it was helpful or total coincidence, but as I’ve continued to pet Chai throughout the day (it wasn’t a one-time thing! yay!), each time I pet Chilli around the cheeks very thoroughly first to try and get happy Chilli scent on my hands. I also try to make sure Chai is watching me pet her for a bit, to see how relaxing and safe it is. I think you mentioned you had another cat in with Ruby? Perhaps you could try petting him/her first.
On Thursday! I will update how it goes.