yes i can relate to this...my cat (Shy) was the runt of the litter and my friend asked me to take her because his kids and other animals were treating her badly...i took Shy in(i have another cat Zippy, at this time),and , well, it took almost 6 years for me to be able to pet Shy on her head....it seems things can only be on her terms...if you think about it...she's smaller, we're bigger, if the cat's in the wrong envoirment...give it time, and love....patience is the key...