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Old July 19th 03, 01:39 AM
PattyC
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"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
in article , PattyC at
wrote on 7/18/03 6:33 PM:

Well guys, I guess I am not going to have much luck with having those

kinds
of cats that let you whip them into your arms for a hug...

I haven't been here (in the ng) for awhile, but thought I'd check in to
update on Sam. I adopted her in April at the age of about 1 1/2. She

was
living in a foster home and mostly seemed to stay in a big cage there.
Anyway, when she came to me, she was kept in one room. You can again

check
the pics to see how she was at first... ALWAYS in the cat bed on a desk

in
that room. Note, she is under "New Kitty" and "My Girls."

http://community.webshots.com/user/pattyc4303

The good news is, as time has passed, she is way OK with roaming the

house
and even having fun with my other two cats. (She LOVES the other cats,
including one I feed who lives outside.)

But... the oddest and most surprising (to me!!) thing. Since she's

gained
more confidence about roaming about the house, the ONE thing she is not

good
about is... ME.

While when she was new here, I could pick her up out of that cat bed and
hold her and pet her, or feed her treats from my hand.... NOW, she RUNS
whenever I am near her. She is willing to be in the same room, in fact,
often follows me to the same room, (I think because the other cats

do...),
she RUNS when I approach her.

I can't even pet her, that is how much she is NOT OK about it. This is

the
same kitty who let me hold her and walk her around at first. I now

realize
she was SO terrified then that she allowed that...

I am really glad she is acclimating (sp?). She is coming down for
"breakfast," meowing and begging for food. (This is as opposed to a

while
ago, when she really just ran around the house at night.) Better yet,

she
and Jack and Lia are grooming one another. Sam loves Lia and Lia seems

to
take care of her some. Just does not want any Mommy(Patty)/Baby time...

I now have 3 cats, plus the one I feed outside. I can only hold my cat

Lia,
who is willing to be held, petted, etc. at all times. I can pet Jack

and
even Georgie (the outside cat), though I cannot pick up either of those

two,
without major problems.

Does anyone think this crazy girl might warm up over a year or so? She

is
SOOO sweet and I am so glad I have her here to live a lovely cat life.

But
damn I'd like to pet her.

PattyC


I think that if maybe you never even *try* to pick her up (unless

necessary
for trips to vet and don't even try to pet her, but sit near her, she

might
slowly aclimate. I would try sitting on her level *a lot*. I think it is
most important that she loves the other kitties. Did you ever try Feliway?

I
don't remember if you did. SHe really sounds like she might have been

feral.

Karen


Hey Karen,

Thanks for your thoughts. YES, actually, Sammy is a feral cat. Her history
is that she was "caught" last December when she crawled into someone's
garage (at about the age of one year) and had a litter. She then was in a
foster home, that (IMHO) was a bit hectic and allowed her mostly to
hide/stay in a cage (open) in an upstairs bedroom. The foster mom told me
she used to wrap her in a towel and give her hugs.

I didn't think about that much, because when I got her, she was one who
could be pettted and hugged. As noted, as she has gotten more comfortable
with having a nice life, she has also gotten less into wanting anyone to
touch or hold her!

She actually is the type of cat I'd pictured when I told myself I was going
to get a cat... I knew no names of cats then, but the picture is a tabby who
is cute as pie. (My girls that I got are long haired - and MY is that a
pain!- and furry little ladies....) ANYWAY, the 3 are now "my girls," and I
wish Sammy could somewhat RELAX and let me be her pal....

PattyC

--

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by
stupidity. -Hanlon's Razor