Mowgli's story time! (Pics!)

[Lacey]

I don't know if he's still just kind of zozzled from the sleepy gas or if he just likes being read too, but Mowgli is amazing calm when I go in the bathroom and read (of all things) Faust to him.

Here's the Mowgster in his cage waiting for me to start reading! Lookit him use that litterbox for a bed. I don't know how I'll ever get it close to the door so it can be scooped. Work gloves and use the scoop to pull it close, I guess. I kinda think he's starting to get used to me. He hisses a bit when I come into the room, but once I'm seated, he's all somewhat settled like that.

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/...mowgli_001.jpg

And here he is after I started reading Faust to him. And he will lay like that until I stop reading Faust to him. And no, I didn't pick Faust because I thought it would suit his temperament. I picked it because I haven't read it yet and because I thought the nice poetic meters would soothe him. ^_^ Which it did! Though not to the point where I'm going to go sticking my hand in that cage.

http://img41.photobucket.com/albums/...mowgli_002.jpg

Now I've got to get the bathroom all cleaned up from where he made his messes - sweep litter and cat food off the floor, scrub da counter which is full of little kitty pawprints, and scrub da tub where he did his business before I got him in his cage.

[catcrazylady]

You just keep doing what your doing! You are doing a great job!!! When you clean do everything slowly and talk to him in a quiet voice the whole time. As long as he is in the cage he will probably use the litter box as a bed. They seem to do that for some reason!
He will eventually look forward to your visits. He is young and it willl be easier than if it was a full adult but he already has the feral instincts so he might always be a little skittish but I promise he will come around. Eventually you may have to force the hands on but for now the slower the better.
Great job! I'm so glad you are helping this little guy. I know you will be posting pictures of a lap baby someday in the future!! I can't wait.
Keep us posted!!

[Lacey]

I'm definitely going to keep everyone posted on this little guy, CCL! If not for all the wonderful advice and support I've gotten so far from everyone here, I doubt Mowgli would even tolerate having me in the same room with him.

[QueenScoopalot]

Good going Lacey! He looks like he enjoys the book (hope you are too). He's so handsome I'll bet in only a short time he'll be purring away for you. Maybe (if you can contain him in a carrier or laundry bag) you can create a shelf along the back cage wall for him to nest in so it gives you room to clean the cage etc. The shelter I bring rescues to use the sponge like shelf material. Hard to describe but WalMart sells rolls of it for putting glasses on in the cabinets. I'd be afraid the kitties would get their claws stuck in the stuff though. I have used the wire closet shelving that comes in white,and is rubber coated. Large hardware stores will cut it down to size for you, but you have to purchase the whole piece. With the ledge in the upward position, and some wire wraps aka wire ties(those plastic zip things used to bundle wires together), you can fasten the shelf half way up, and put rug into it. Those work wonderfully and are easy to clean.

[rg_girlca]

Awwww what sweet pictures of little Mowgli.
You can clearly see in the first picture that he is still under the effects from the sleepy gas. My guys slept most of the night and i'm sure little Mowgli will also.

Keep up the good work Lacey.

[Laura's Babies]

I talk to all the kitties the whole time I am working in the Cat Hut at the shelter I work at and where they all were skiddish and withdrawn when I first started, they now come to the door, meowing at me when I come in. They are use to my voice now and know that when they hear it, they will get food, water, clean litter, petting, and TREATS! So, just keep talking to him and offer him treats and soon you will have him eating out of your hands!!

[Lacey]

It was so funny the third time I was in there reading to Mowgli! Zelda came strutting into the bathroom, and I petted her for a bit as I read. Then she went over to examine the cage, where upon she hissed a few times. Then she started to leave, but stopped in the doorway, looked back over her shoulder, and gave Mowgli one last hiss for good measure. And then she strutted off. I just started cracking up after that last hiss, because it was just so... so... like someone trying to get the last word in! And poor Mowgli, still kind of out of it I think, was just sitting in his litterbox like " What'd I do!?"

[sirrahbed]

awww..poor Mowgli. Well, Zelda had to get that last word in, eh? Sounds like you are doing all the right things!! You have wonderful advisers here, that is for sure. I bet you will have some really happy and exciting times ahead to share with us - when Mowgli decised he wants to trust you a little at a time Plus, he will be a well read kitty!

[leslie flenner]

In the right direction! Now, move that litter box to the front of the cage for good so you can take it out to clean without a hassel (much anyway). Put a cardboard box in back on it's side with no flaps and a nice soft bedding on bottom for bed. He'll prefer that cuz it's in back and leave the sleeping in litter box idea alone! Trick is, doing all this without him escaping (take a few sedatives yourself if you can!) Actually, pull out the box with a stick and clean it. then, put in his new bed, he'll spit and try to run out so keep the door as closed as possible. (hopefully I'm wrong). After he settles in new bed, put litter box in near door (same with food, as you know, you don't want to have to reach in too far!)
You know- I think when we read to them, they think we are talking to them, and since we can't think of things to say for an hour, reading works. before I knew anything about ferals, I had a litter of 3 that I read to (some James Henry book, boring as hell). Anyway, they got loose, I chased them and had no idea what I was doing (let alone that chasing is the worst thing you can do) point being, in the end, one hour of reading every night next to their cage, and sleeping next to them and talking (sorry but it's "scientifically" proven) baby talk, socialized them in 3 weeks!!! They were older feral kittens too!
Have you ever noticed when you're on the phone talking and then you hang up, the cats wake up and talk? Well, when I hang up, Scamp suddenly feels neglected and mews for attention. I read once somewhere (cat fancy?) that when we're on the phone, they think we are talking to them!
How is the eye contact going?
great job!!! You are being very professional! keep up the patience!

[Lacey]

Well, until I can get some wire ties, the cage is now as set up as it's going to get! Mosly's got a shoebox sitting on it's side to hide in, one of my t-shirts to sleep on, the litterbox is now in front of the door, and the old food and water dishes are out of there. As soon as I get some wire ties, I can make him a shelf. I've had one of those wire bathroom organizer shelves sitting around for so long, and it's just the perfect size to go in the corner of the cage. All I'd need to do would be to cut a carpet remnant to fit in there and then get Mowgli out of there long enough to get it set up. That cage is starting to look quite cozy thanks to all of you!

[jazzcat]

Oh Lacey, great job!!!

So did the vet say anything more about his age? How about tests? Is he all negative and healthy?? Maybe you posted and I just haven't seen it yet.

Looks like you are doing everything by the PT book and soon lil' Mog will be snuggling up to you. Fingers and paws crossed!

[Lacey]

After the examination, the vet put him at about 16 weeks. All the tests came back negative and he's perfectly healthy. He had a case of roundworms, but they gave me a drontal tablet to put in his food and he scarfed it all down, so those little boogers won't be a problem. ^_^

I'm cutting up the carpet remnant I had left over from Zelda's climbing shelves up to fit on the bathroom organizer. Since these things don't take up the whole back of the cage and since I have two organizers, I'm thinking of putting them both in - one on the right and one on the left at different levels. I'll pop one up on the middle horizontal cage bar and one on the upper one.

Zelda's absolutely fascinated with the carpet scraps, which is funny because she utterly ignores her climbing shelves that are covered with this exact same stuff.

[jazzcat]

Thanks for answering so quickly. I'm so happy to hear he is healthy!!! Yeah!!!! After what happend with Izzy I was worried.

I can't wait to see pictures of his new condo once you get the shelves installed. Sounds like you should go into kitty cage interior design.

[kimlovescats]

Lacey you are doing an excellent job .... thank you for taking Mowgli on and caring so much for him!

(HUGS)
Kim

[Lacey]

Well, the shelves are all done! All I need now are some wire ties so I can put them up. They even get the Zelda Seal of Approval!