Leda (NYC rescue cat) EXCITING Update! 9-8-06

[jenluckenbach]

What a sweetie! Tonight, I pet her head and chin again and she started to roll over. Slowly, a tiny bit at a time, but She went all the way to a belly rub!

She headbutted into my hand and wrist.....HARD, too!!!

She ate some more food, but wanted to lick it off my fingers. And I had to stay with her or she'd stop eating.

She is totally melting my heart. GREAT call Lizzie!!!!! She did NOT deserve to die.

[Catty1]

OMG! I hope you tell the people at the shelter, and Lucille! They'll ALL have LES at the story of that hard head - butt! My eyes are stinging too!

What a HAPPY time for this (formerly) terrified girl!

Welcome home, Leda!

[kimlovescats]

What a sweet, sweet girl! It certainly sounds like she is thrilled to be loved and cared for, and she knows that she is now SAFE! CONGRATS!!!!

[Lizzie]

A belly rub so soon, that is very good news. She must have felt abandoned and defenceless (since clawless) at the shelter and that is why she appeared a bit wild. I can imagine the atmosphere in your home making her feel more and more relaxed and trusting.

Well, her response to you rather changes the way I need to look at her. I'd thought that since she appeared to be a social feral with litter box issues, she would fit right in with my downstairs cats. But she's really a lap cat who has been treated badly and she'd appreciate a home where she gets lots of attention. Let's hope that the litter box issues are either from sore paws and wrong litter, which is the direction my thoughts have lain, or UTI which is the way you are thinking. That way, she is adoptable, and that is better for her than staying in my home as long as I choose well. Don't worry, I would adopt her through my vet's office and be super careful in my screening.

[jenluckenbach]

I don't believe Leda was ever feral.....she KNEW what a cat toy was. I have a teaser wand with tinsel on it and I was playing with the other fosters right outside her cage. She watched with intent. Then I teased her with it and she played! Shyly, but still, in my own experience, the ferals (and long term strays) are more frightened of a toy, worried that it is something that will hurt them.

And she prefers to be hand fed. Not eating a whole lot yet, so I do whatever she wants to get the food into her, and if that is hand feeding.......so be it!

[Lizzie]

I don't believe Leda was ever feral.....she KNEW what a cat toy was. I have a teaser wand with tinsel on it and I was playing with the other fosters right outside her cage. She watched with intent. Then I teased her with it and she played! Shyly, but still, in my own experience, the ferals (and long term strays) are more frightened of a toy, worried that it is something that will hurt them.

And she prefers to be hand fed. Not eating a whole lot yet, so I do whatever she wants to get the food into her, and if that is hand feeding.......so be it!

Hand-feeding! What a little princess. She is very lucky that you are ready to pander to her needs. I wonder how much she ate at the shelter? Barely enough to stay alive, probably.

Yes, cat toys are very defining, aren't they. I always know that a feral adult has truly turned the corner when they jump onto a teaser toy, though it can take years to see that change. I keep thinking of how much more relaxed and happy she must be feeling now she is away from the shelter and in your welcoming home. What do your fosters think of her so far?

[jenluckenbach]

The fosters couldn't care less. They don't even bother to look at her in her cage. Once she is out, they'll only care if she tries to get TOO friendly. (LOL)

[jenluckenbach]

Well, her response to you rather changes the way I need to look at her. I'd thought that since she appeared to be a social feral with litter box issues, she would fit right in with my downstairs cats. But she's really a lap cat who has been treated badly and she'd appreciate a home where she gets lots of attention. ...... she is adoptable, and that is better for her than staying in my home as long as I choose well.

If you are continuing this thinking I can always place her on One by One's petfinder website. She can be adopted through us even before she travels all the way to Washington. Now mind you, people might not bust the door down in search of a shy 3 year old cat, but you never know. What do you think about this idea? (now of course, I won't post her at least until she comes out of her cage so I know how to describe her to potentials.)

[jenluckenbach]

This evening she PURRED! And she washed her face. (A sign of feeling comfortable)

Now she has to start eating more than she has been. nce I know she is eating properly, I will give her the option to come out of the cage.

You don't know just how glad I am that WE saved her.

[Catty1]

OMG! PURRING!

That is SOOO great, Jen!

Give her a tummy rub for me, ok???

[momcat]

You don't know just how glad I am that WE saved her.

So are we, Jen, so are we

[K & L]

Boy I have some catching up to do. I'm just now reading this thread and glad to see there is progress! Good work Jen.

[jenluckenbach]

Todays update.

This morning she came right out of the cage again, like yesterday.
She walks all around (kind of slinking close to the ground yet).

But she always came back to me. And she rubs all along my leg.

I can lift her up to put her back in, without any squirming or fussing.


Now tonight, she did NOT come out. Just like last night. When I have the MOST time, she is the most stubborn. But she thoroghly enjoyed our petting session. She even reaches her front paw to grab your arm when you try to stop.

Lizzie, if you seriously want to put her up for adoption, (vs. keeping her for yourself) I ...... and all you other pet talkers ....... can start looking right now. She IS adoptable!

I'll be watching her closely for signs of inappropriate peeing.

[Lizzie]

Jen - for me it's always been a case of, I will take her if she is unadoptable. I knew/know that she would be happy enough with my downstairs social-ferals and/or behavior problem cats, but I also know she won't get the frequent attention of my upstairs cats. If she is adoptable, and she craves attention, then she should be adopted to someone else.

With Catullus' brother just showing signs of ringworm, it won't be possible for me to take her for another month probably, if she needs to come to me. I think, as you say, you will have the task of monitoring her litter box behavior and taking her to the vet for a urinalysis. I have the name of your vet, and you've already said you will put her on One-by-One status so you get their discount, and I can just call and charge it. You have taken on all the care responsibilities so I want to continue to do my part. If her behavior is a problem, she can still come to me. Between us, we can assure her of a decent future at the very least.

[jenluckenbach]

Terrific! We make quite a team.

That baby WILL have a happy life!!!