Mowgli's condo!

[Lacey]

Well, I finally got the little booger-head out of the cage so that I could put in the shelves! It took a bit of time getting him out, but it was worth it because he let me pet him (with gloves on)! And while I was petting, he kept inching a little closer until I was able to pick him up and put him in the carrier. He wasn't too happy about that part, but he's fine now that he's back in his cage again. Zelda came and peeked in on him and that cheered him up.

Mowgli hasn't made use of the shelves quite yet. In fact, he's still sitting on top of his shoebox. But they're there for him!

I hated having to upload the pics to deviantart, but photobucket is just being horrid tonight. I can't get anything to upload.

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/8842978/

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/8843041/

[kimlovescats]

Very neat ... now he can utilize the full space!!! What are those cool corner shelves made of? Are they sturdy with just the ties?
How interesting!!!:eek: ;)

Kim

[Lacey]

The shelves are just wire organizer shelves, like those closet organizers. I think these were made for the bathroom though, to go in the corners and put stuff on. Yet they work absolutely perfectly for the cage. :D I cut up a carpet remnant and hot-glued that on there to be sure it wouldn't get kicked off. The shelves seem sturdy enough with the ties. I pressed down on them a few times to be sure they were secure and they didn't budge. But if I hear a loud thunk in the middle of the night, I'll know what it is. :rolleyes:

[jazzcat]

It looks great! I'm sure he will be using his new perches in no time. I just love how hard you are working for this little guy. Makes me smile!:)

[Laura's Babies]

WHAT a great IDEA!!! Hummmmmm.....I might try some of those at the shelter and see how they work out!!

[Lacey]

And this right here has got to be the greatest thank you I ever could have hoped to get from him!

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lacey5480/mowgli_condo.jpg

[kimlovescats]

OH MY GOSH, Lacey!!! Look at that!!! Ahhh, Mowgli is making progress by leaps and bounds!!!:D

[jazzcat]

Yeah!!! He's letting you pet him and take a picture at the same time. Progress!!

[catcrazylady]

AWWWWWWWW! He is letting you pet him!!! He doesn't look afraid either, a little leary maybe, but not afraid! You are doing so good with him! I really believe that in no time at all you are going to have one adorable orangie lap kitty!!

Isn't it challenging and so rewarding at the same time to help calm and tame a feral? The rewards are so great in the end and all of my ferals have the most wonderful personalities. The only drawback is that no stranger ever gets to see them because they go into immediate hiding!

Keep up the good work Lacey and keep on posting these wonderful updates!!

[Lacey]

I can't believe he's starting to let me pet him. I guess watching me pet Zelda got him a little curious. Anyway, sometimes he hisses when I put my hand in there, but if he leans forward to sniff my fingers then it's alright to pet. He starts trying to nip when he's had enough petting, though. And he has the loudest little purr! At this rate, I might start thinking about letting him roam around in my office for a short bit soon.

[catcrazylady]

You are the one there and can get a feel for things but I would want to be able to handle him pretty well before you let him out of the cage.
This is how I see the scene...open cage door, Mowgli slowly and cautiously leaves the cage, makes a sudden mad dash under a piece of furniture, and you never see him in the daylight again!http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/biggrin.gif
Don't ask me how I know this! You will have to be the judge of where you think things stand. I thought I was pretty smart when it came to Magoo and I let things happen too early and we all almost went nuts! I don't think it will that bad with Mowgli but my personal opinion is give him a few more days. I would really want him to look forward to being petted before I released him. Now mind you this is just my opinion and you are there and you have done such a wonderful job so far that I think you are a great judge of Mowgli.
Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

[Lacey]

True, true, CCL! I'm not meaning right this second or even today by soon. I definitely intend to wait a few more days. Though right in the office here, the only bit of furniture he can really get behind is the desk, and I can reach under and behind that pretty easily. He's on his top shelf staring at me with what are either "pet me" eyes or "feed me" eyes. I'm guessing it's the latter. Mowgli definitely has a healthy appetite. :rolleyes:

[catcrazylady]

When the day comes I want you to plant a great big kiss right between his eyes for me!! That happens to be one of my favorite spots, you know right above the nose. I just love that soft spot!
:D :D http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

[QueenScoopalot]

Mowgli is really doing well! :eek: The cage shelves came out super...great idea for something you probably don't use anyway! I'm echoing CCL's post about too soon, too fast. I've had many ferals over the years, and if they won't willingly come to me for attention, it's often best to leave them crated for a while longer. I can't believe some of the places they'll squeeze themselves into to avoid humans! Give handsome Mowgli a scritch for me! :D ;)

[catmandu]

There is one thing,that a cat knows,and that is when he is in a pace,where he is loved,and I think that Mowgli,is strrting to realise this ,and will soon be your Best friend!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

What great shelves and what a great job you're doing with him! Keep up the good work! :D

[Lacey]

Oh! The little guy has decided he loves being petted! If I pause, my hand gets head bumpies until I start up again! Is this not the sweetest thing?

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lacey5480/mowgli_petting_001.jpg

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lacey5480/mowgli_petting_002.jpg

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lacey5480/mowgli_petting_003.jpg

[sirrahbed]

:D BIG awwwww! First of all the condo looks great with the shelves ...but OMEGOSH what a lil sweetheart Mowgli is becoming already!!!:D He obviously has started giving you his love and trust and that must feel wonderful!:D What an amazing job you have done in rather a short time!! I love that last pic that shows him pushing against your hand for more lovins!! I can't wait to see the lap baby pictures that are bound to happen in time!! You are his mommy!!!

[CatMama78]

That's so awesome! I'm so excited for you and Mowgli. It goes to show that sometimes the wildest of guys really just need some patience and love (I'm talking the human and feline race :D )

[catcrazylady]

WAHOOOOO!! Way to go Lacey and Mowgli!!! I see freedom right around the corner and a nice loving lap just waiting for that sweet boy!! With his age I knew it wouldn't take him long and you have done everything right for this little guy! I think you are both very lucky to have each other.:D :D http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

[Lacey]

Heh! Just gave him that kiss right between the eyes that you wanted him to have, CCL! He so wants out and about to explore right now, but the most I'm letting him do is just right outside his cage door. I'm sitting here blocking him off, and he keeps getting into my lap to try and go further. It's so precious! He still hisses just a bit, but for the most part that's only when I first come into the room.

I'd love to get a picture of Mowgli rolling over for belly rubs, but that's kind of tough when he's curled up right next to my leg and I only happen to have my left hand free.

[Lacey]

Success! Finally got a picture of him rolling over for a tummy rub! He didn't roll over quite as much as he was doing, but I think that's because he was too busy watching the camera.

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lacey5480/tummy_rub.jpg

[catcrazylady]

HE GOT MY KISS!!! YIPPEE! I see a home free lap lovin, mama's boy, kissy face, cutie pie, running free Mowgli coming soon!!! I'm so happy for you both! He looks like he is going to be a major love bug!

[sirrahbed]

WOW! This is a love muffin in the making for sure! You CANNOT go wrong with an orange boy:D This is just more confirmation. I hope we get to watch this lil fella grow up!!!:D

[catcrazylady]

Did anyone notice his paw in the last picture? He's making air biscuits!!!! I do believe your home free Lacey! He loves being loved. :D :D http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

[jazzcat]

Gosh, this didn't take long. I can't believe he's into belly rubs already! You're doing such a great job with him. You'll probably be able to give him freedom from the cage any day now.

How is Zelda taking all this? She's probably the one you'll have to work on now. She may get jealous.

[Lacey]

Zelda's handling this pretty well, actually. Every now and then she looks at the cage and hisses, but for the most part she's ignoring Mowgli. Every time I'm sitting in here by the cage and she comes in, I start playing with her, so I think that helps her see that she's still queen of the castle around here. Right at the moment, she's on my computer desk, just staring at the cage, and Mowgli's letting out the occasional pitiful meow to get her attention. I don't know if Zelda will eventually be trying her paw at the surrogate meowmie role or not, but I get the feeling that Mowgli would certainly like it if she did.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Awww....look at that sweetie getting tummy rubs! :D :D

He's got a face like Eddie's, where he always looks sad and pitiful. Hopefully now that he has a furrever home he'll grow out of that face. ;)

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by catcrazylady
I want you to plant a great big kiss right between his eyes for me!! That happens to be one of my favorite spots, you know right above the nose. I just love that soft spot! Ah, yes, that extra special velvety soft spot. Mishi's is well kissed; Mitzi just looks at me like I'm nuts .... but then, I am!

OOH! Look at those cute little pink pawsies! Mowgli! You're making progress by leaps and leaps!

[prechrswife]

Mowgli is just too adorable. He's doing so well, so quickly!:)

[sirrahbed]

You know - I keep looking at his face and yes, the eyes are still a bit sad like Eddie's used to be but I also think he has the same worried facial markings that Scout has!! The tabbie markings on his forehead are like hers and I always think they give her a perpetual worried look!:D Her eyes are quite happy though while Mowgli's are still sad and slightly bewildered - but that will change quickly I am sure!! What a difference from the wild child we saw a few days ago!!!

[QueenScoopalot]

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lacey5480/mowgli_petting_003.jpg
LOOK AT THOSE HAPPY FEET!!!! :D :p :) He sure looks like he's falling to mush under your roof Lacey! This picture is so adorble with his paw all stretched open...I can almost hear him purring! :eek: :D :)

[jazzcat]

Originally posted by sirrahbed
You know - I keep looking at his face and yes, the eyes are still a bit sad like Eddie's used to be but I also think he has the same worried facial markings that Scout has!! The tabbie markings on his forehead are like hers and I always think they give her a perpetual worried look!:D Her eyes are quite happy though while Mowgli's are still sad and slightly bewildered - but that will change quickly I am sure!! What a difference from the wild child we saw a few days ago!!!
Is this that worried look you are talking about Debbie?
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid88/p4ce420105c3c55e93e4d6c7999fa3f3f/fa90047d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid87/pa2e5d108d850f3a05d6d94f104aed647/faa531d3.jpg

I thought that about Mowgli too. He does have that look but with those ears I bet he will be large and probably grow out of it better than Scout.

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by jazzcat
Is this that worried look you are talking about Debbie?
I thought that about Mowgli too. He does have that look but with those ears I bet he will be large and probably grow out of it better than Scout.
YUP! That's the look!:D She has it in her sig block too! It is adorable actually and makes her that much sweeter looking! Not worried exactly - she looks like she is thinking very intensely and so very serious! Maybe Mowgli will grow out of it! Tabbies can be SO expressive with their markings I think!! Eliot is also very expressive and always so alert looking like he is checking everything out carefully with slanted eyes! Mowgli is precious no matter how you look at him! What a dramatic change he is making:)