Help with a timid (feral?) cat

**Cataholic** · 09-19-2002, 02:52 PM

Oh, I can't wait to get home and tell Minnie she got a direct communication from Mr. Fister, that beautiful orange boy! She will be thrilled out of her tuxedo suit! I know I sure am. I am quite taken with Mr. Fister, and can tell he has a personality I would just do anything for.

This morning I went to Minnie to have a brief moment with her before I put on my good clothes...just in case a stray claw made it's way out. We spent a moment together, and she didn't hide her head, although she didn't want to be on my lap. I slowly released the pressure on her, and after a minute she got up- not real fast, but not real slow either. She crabbed across the floor, and found comfort under a table. It seemed less feral than other escapes. She also seems less curled up in her hiding places..but it might be because I want it to be that.

I will remember Mr. Fister, and the turn around he had. I tried mentally telling her how much I loved her and wanted her to be safe and secure in the home, but I think she had a brain block going on. I thought if that lady on Animal Planet can do it, maybe I can too! Thanks for following up, and I will give updates shortly. My best to Mr. Fister, and tell him he has a friend in Ohio...

**Randi** · 09-19-2002, 03:04 PM

Careful what you say, Tubby & Peanut’s Mom, there are other sides to his personality!

John

**Cataholic** · 09-19-2002, 03:28 PM

Yikes Mr. Fister!!!! Maybe it is a good thing we are all the way over in Ohio...those claws are quite a site!!!!

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 09-19-2002, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Randi
Careful what you say, Tubby & Peanut’s Mom, there are other sides to his personality!
John

Ok, ok, Mr. Fister, I give!

I remember seeing those claws the other day on the "leash" thread, and I certainly don't want to mess with them at all!

**Cataholic** · 09-20-2002, 01:20 PM

This was almost too much for me!!!! Last night as I was getting ready for bed, and staring at my face intently in the mirror (why do women do this? How much could I have changed since the am?) I saw a cat out of the corner of my eye...but through the image in the mirror. I THOUGHT it was Tenny, so I wondered why he was sitting in the cat hold door leading to the basement. I looked again, and I swear to you, it was MINNIE!!! I did the 'freeze', again only looking through the mirror at her. I didn't know what to do- course I wanted to scream in delight, but, obvoiusly, didn't need two months of a set back! I slowly turned to look at her normally, and of course, she ran back down the steps...but STILL!!! Can you beleive it? Minnie- for no reason in the world, came up the steps!!!!!!!! No one was chasing her (like me), all my others were up here....OMG! I almost started to cry!!!! So, of course I called my mom, woke her up, and told her the story. I couldn't wait to tell you guys!!! Yea MINNIE!

**Cataholic** · 09-20-2002, 01:21 PM

Apparently my excitement has kept me from spelling anything correctly! Sorry.

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 09-20-2002, 01:37 PM

Wow! A big step forward, I'm so happy for you and Minnie. It must have been Mr. Fister's encouragement that made her a little bolder.

Somebody had mentioned this somewhere in the last couple of days, and I thought it might help here too, although I'm not sure how accurate it is...but anyway...they said that when you look at her, look her in the eyes for only a second, then turn your eyes away. I think they said that looking them right in the eye is a sign of aggression, which would explain why she immediately went back down the steps. Like I said, it sounds plausible to me, but I'm really not sure, but I thought it might be worth a try if and when she sneaks up the stairs again. And hopefully the next time will be sometime soon. Please keep us updated on any future progress.

**AmberLee** · 09-20-2002, 09:31 PM

BIIIG Progress! Congratulations!

**Alpha Wolf** · 09-20-2002, 10:10 PM

A lot of the animals my family took in feared people in the beginning, but eventually got over it as they got used to us. What I suggest is that you give her space and try not to surprise her too much with your actions. Move closer to her slowly and coax her out of hiding with her favorite treats. Also, when you feed her, try to do it in a open area where she can get used to everything. Find out what she likes to play with and spend a nice amount of time playing with her. But, most importantly, give her time, all animals need time to adjust more or less, depending on the previous situation.

-Alpha (Shay)-

**jenluckenbach** · 09-30-2002, 08:50 PM

Hey cataholic.
How is that Minnie doing??? I am new to pet talk and read with interest about Minnie
I have 3 challenging types like Minnie. It took fern over 4 years before she sat in a chair BESIDE me.. Willow still hides under the covers for 1/2 of the day and I've had him 1 1/2 years. And Calvin cannot be picked up. Petted, yes.
But you know what? The best part is all the little steps in the right direction. All three of those cats would be homeless right now if they had an owner with little patience, but I think they are a worthwhile effort. And I love them as much as the "easy" ones.

**Cataholic** · 10-01-2002, 09:53 AM

Hi Jenluckenbach,
thanks for asking, and welcome to PT! I wish I had a lot of wonderful progress to report, but it is really slow. Lets see, Saturday night, I came home late...like 10 pm, and entered through the basement, as is typical. I noticed Minnie was perched on top of an appliance, directly underneath the open steps, leading to the upstairs. I was pretty surprised, cause she NEVER stays out in the 'open'. What is kinda stranger is the garage door is kind of loud when it opens, and still she stayed out. So, I just happened to have an ice cream with me (he he he) and I positioned myself on a bench, and ate it, talking outloud, and feeding the 'easy' ones with a spoon. She stayed put all ten minutes or so, looking at me sometimes, and other times not. I tried to be extra overt in my gestures with the other cats...trying to show her I mean no harm to kitties. Then, I got 'greedy' and went and sat on the steps near her. That was still ok, until I tried to pet her...away she scampered.

So, a slow process, but one I will not give up on! Thanks again for asking, caring, and welcome again...Cataholic

**jenluckenbach** · 10-01-2002, 12:12 PM

Cataholic,
You are descibing my Fern to a "T". The progress came painfully slow. She is still, even after 5 years, a super shy girl. And, as I came to learn, somewhat intimidated by the other cats. She does her best, when they are not around. But, it is rewarding, each and every mile stone.

**hellostranger** · 10-05-2002, 08:09 AM

Hi Cataholic and Minnie! My cats and I are new to PetTalk, but your story reminded me so much of how I met my tabby lady, Lynnseed Enigma (Lynn for short

)!! I found Lynn as a kitten when she was in a storm sewer during a rain storm. She was soaking wet and crying but refused to come out so I had to get someone to help me pry off the manhole cover so I could throw a towel over her and drag her out. She never bit or scratched, she just went completely limp and buried her head in the towel. She stayed that way all the way to the vet's office...... When she got home she met my other two kitties and then immediately shoved herself in behind the washing machine and refused to come out. I put her food next to the washer and went in to talk to her every day. Gradually she started showing up around the house and eating out of the other cat's bowls...

That was eleven years ago (hard to believe!) and she's still very shy....I am only allowed to pet her when I'm in the bathroom (there must be something soothing about tile...?) but she will come and sit in the living room near us and roll around on the floor by herself and purr and purr so loudly we can hear her all the way over on the couch. I guess she'll always be my "special"

kitty but she's healthy and happy and she has lent her paw to raising several other stray kittens that have passed through our house on their way to their forever homes.

PS She has given me a bit of a reputation though - only two other people have ever seen her (besides the vet) so people are starting to tease me that she doesn't really exist.

**Cataholic** · 10-05-2002, 02:29 PM

HelloStranger, and welcome to Pet Talk! Thanks for sharing your story. I hope Minnie comes out of hiding, but I must admit it has been really rough on her lately. We had some steps of progress, as identified above, then a retreat. I have had delivery men, loud noises, stuff moved around in the basement, etc., and currently have my co-worker's dog..so, Minnie is in serious hiding. In fact, all my cats are in hiding somewhat. Doggie leaves Sunday, so things shouldget back to normal.

I don't care how long it takes for Minnie to adapt to me, and I don't even care if she EVER adapts, as long as she is happy with her situation. She is clean, warm, dry, fed premium food, has manay litterboxes, and friends to play with if she chooses. I can bond with the rest just fine. I just don't want her to be unhappy.

Welcome again to PT!

**Cataholic** · 10-14-2002, 08:17 AM

I think the biggest effect on Minnie is going to be the cold weather! We had a dip last night into the low 50's (sorry I don't know the celsius conversion!!! maybe around 14???). I went down to the basement to stretch a little, and looked for Minnie under the workbench- NO MINNIE. Of course, I tear around to all the usual downstairs haunts..NO MINNIE! . So, back up the steps, through the house twice, back down the basement- NO MINNIE.

Then, I checked in my bedroom closet...there she was, hiding behind the clothes

I guess I need to put a little rug in there for her, huh?

Needless to say, I skipped the rest of the stretching- I was tired, but sooo happy to see that she ventured upstairs! This is twice now!!!!! Though the first time she only popped her head through the cat door. Maybe by Christmas she will be sleeping on my bed!!! I am so excited and proud of my little Minnie!