The cat was waiting outside this morning when I opened the door, and she
promptly came in, albeit a bit miffed at me, but at least it looks as if
she's giving me another chance. She ate two cans of cat food, leftover
scrambled eggs, and some water and is now asleep on the sofa. she doesn't
totally trust me but she recognizes me as the caregiver with the nice warm
house and good food.

How was I to know she had a problem with shampoo? She acted as if she *was*
totally comfortable with me by the time I tried to give her a bath. I just
wanted her to smell nice and pretty because I was having family over, and
wanted us to make a good impression. I let the cat out after her violent
outburst because she *demanded* to be let out--it was the cat's personal
decision to go outside, not mine, so I respected her wishes. She is an
experienced and grown up "street cat" after all, and not a kitten. I feel
that all adults, both human and animal, have the right to make their own
decisions. I brought her into the house after all, thus if she wants to go
out, then I've no right to hold her inside against her will. Obviously, she
came "home" when she'd had enough of the cold. Evidently she trusts me
enough to come inside my home once again.

In the future, Mr. Chimiel, I would thank you to use a bit more tact when
replying to posters such as myself. And please also try to refrain from
making judgements against others before you all the facts, including all the
minor details. Bottom line, respectfully ask for answers to all of your
"why" questions before passing judgement upon others. You assumed the cat
wasn't comfortable with me. You assumed she had a flea problem. You insulted
the cat's cold-weather survival skills. You say you reside in the "neck" of
some "woods". Unlike you, I happen to live in an upper-middle-class suburb
thanks to my education and ambition, so I don't have to live in the "neck"
of some Godforsaken "woods".

Good day sir, and rest assured that I will not be visiting this newsgroup
again if this is the attititude I can expect to receive when I ask for
friendly advice. You may be thinking "good riddance", but in fact it *will*
be good in *my* favor, which would entail me enjoying the riddance of your
prejudgemental and condescending smartass attitude. I never asked
specifically for *your* advice, so in the future remember that if you can't
be nice when replying to someone, then it is best for all concerned if you
would remain silent and let a more knowledgeable and tactful person answer
the questions.

Yours truly,
Sandra H., Colonel (U.S. Army Retired)




"Edward Chimiel" wrote in message
ink.net...
Real good. You gained her trust just to throw it back in her face. Why
did
she need a bath? And why did she need it before she was totally
comfortable
with you? If it was fleas that you were worried about, try frontline or
advantage. Then to top it off, you let her back outside when she was
still
wet. I'm not sure where you're from, but in my neck of the woods, it's
too
cold to be outside with wet fur. You can try the slow approach with her
and
hope that she forgives you, but be prepared that she may never trust you
again.
"Simple Simon Met a Pieman Going to the Fair"
wrote
in message ...
I want to thank everyone who answered my post asking how to befriend a
stray, and the tips have really worked. During the last week in
December
my
friend the stray was waiting outside in the yard and as soon as I
stepped
outside, the cat approached me cautiously at first, meowing a
meek-sounding
"meew" every now and then, and then inched forward slowly until it was
circling and rubbing my legs. This is one affectionate kitty that was
probably just shy or had been mistreated by someone at one time or
another.
Then it followed me inside and made itself right at home. Turns out the
cat
is female. Vet checkup went okay, the cat is healthy and had already
been
"fixed". So far no calls from the cat's owner.

Now I just have one problem: The cat hates me now after attempting to
give
it a bath last night. I had wrapped the cat in a towel and gently
lowered
it
into the warm water, removed the towel, and as soon as I put shampoo on
her
back she bolted away with lightning quickness and hid under the bed.
When
I
approached the bed she let out with the loudest most blood-curdling
angry
GrrrMrrrrYrrrow!!! I had ever heard, and even swatted in my direction
once.
When I backed away she bolted for the front door and demanded to be let
out,
so I let her out, and now she's semi-afraid of me. She'll get no closer
than 50 ft when I call her. When I follow or approach her she'll sit or
lie
down but immediately get up and walk further away when I get within 6
feet
of her.

Was it the shampoo? or what? How do I regain this cat's trust? It's
cold
outside and I wish she'd come back in. I've put water and her favorite
sardines out in her old feeding spot, along with a cardboard box with a
blanket and old pillow inside of it plus a couple of toys. This morning
the
sardines and water were gone, but the toys seem untouched as well as the
makeshift bed. She stays within sight of my house but keeps a safe
distance
from me.

Any suggestions on regaining this cat's trust? (P.S. I saw her
actually
sitting in front of a neighbor's door earlier as if she wants to be let
in,
and those people don't even like cats!)