Gini,

It seems like my Hermoine and your Emma should talk. While Hermie isn't afraid of doors, she's afraid of all the same things Emma is, but refuses (out of fear ) to be picked up, ever.

When she was itty bitty, she was really social and showed no signs of being feral. But then, after she got real sick when she was about 3 months old, she totally changed.

Up until a few months ago, I was on egg shells when she'd come near David or I because I didn't want to scare her.

When people come over, she NEVER, EVER comes out.

Then, she began licking herself so much that her fur was coming out in patches and I enterpreted that as her being stressed. I went online and found that to "cure" what I thought she had was to engage her in one-on-one time, on her terms. I talked to her quietly (a lot), I walked into rooms quietly, and offered treats.

Slowly, it has worked. Her fur grew back (although, I found that was an allergy thing) and in the past few weeks, she's come out when COMPANY has been here...every time!! While she wont greet people, she'll still come out, eat, drink, use the litterbox and observe. She's never done that before!

I would let Emma come to you, on her terms. Just do as you have been doing, maybe adding treats, so she forgets her fears for a moment or two.

I've always heard that it takes a lot of time for some kitties. Maybe Emma is just one of them. Regardless, I'll be saying some prayers that she'll see you for the kind, warm, wonderful person (and cat meowmie) you are in the mean time.