On Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:59:59 -0800, sheelagh wrote:

We have just had Lucy indoors for the first time today, since she was
spayed, & the vet took that terrible embedded collar out of her neck.

I was rather nervous about the idea, thinking that It might be a bit
too soon.Nevertheless Tilly, my daughter went outside to feed her a
couple of hours ago, & brought her indoors to see how she reacted.I
can't explain how I felt when she quite happily trotted up the stairs
behind Tilly & followed her straight into her bedroom & hoped on to her
bed.I was delighted ,but nervous for her.

She paid no attention at all to the other felines who came looking,
until one of them tried to get on the bed with her..all she did was
growl at Lilly, who dutifully got off again and retreated out of the
room rather rapidly with her tail between her legs.Poor Lilly didn't
understand at all-everyone loves Lilly....

She allowed me into the room too, & but made It clear that petting her
was acceptable, but that would be quite enough for today, thank you
very much.
Her appearance Is so different to the day we managed to catch her.She
looks super clean, with a soft shiney glossy coat (with a few patches
missing on her leg, where she was spayed & also where the collar was
embeded too).We have discovered that she has a purr like a V8 engine &
a mieow that Is so loud that It seemed strange coming out of her.

Lucy(furr), as she was affectionatly renamed Is doing so well, that we
have decided that as of tomorrow we will bring her indoors & see how
she copes with it all, & deal with It all on a need to basis.If she
feels the need to go back out, we will take her out to the run again
for a bit of solitude and fresh air.

We have had many cats and kittens over the years that have come to
stay, but never one quite like Lucy who was so timmid when we first met
her.
If any one has any tips on how to help her intergrate with the other
cats, I would be interested to hearing them please?

She is clearly quite happy in Tilly's company, but Is still very
nervous and shy around other humans & cats, including myself.We want
her to feel as at home as Is possible, & that there Is nothing to fear
from the other cats who only want to be her friend & play with her.

I will try & get a photo of her in the morning When Tilly brings her in
again so that you can see the before and after photos.I am sure that
you will be as amazed as we are.I really can't explain how delighted we
all are, because from day one, we didn't expect too much of
her.However, she has put us all in our place's & showed us how well a
situation can change as long as you have the time & attention to do
so.In this case, all of the credit goes to Tilly who has become firm
friends with her & loves her dearly as well.
S.


We are purring that Lucy will adjust and become a comfortable family
member. Happy New Year! MLB