Marmy was an extremely feral mother cat, who came to me with a litter of 8 kittens (one of which was Pee Wee). I believe that Marmy may have been abused by humans at some point in her life, as she always flenches before you pet her. She has come such a long way though. At first she wouldn't let me pet her, but now she loves it, but I have to still approach her slowly and gently. She still will NOT tolerate being picked up and will tense up every muscle in her body and fight like crazy. Unfortunately I always have to scruff her, but I hold her close at the same time (and cradle her in my other arm) while talking softly to her.