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MuseRider

(34,105 posts)
3. Time and patience.
Sun Dec 22, 2013, 11:30 AM
Dec 2013

I had a feral that lived in my hay barn for 6 years. He was, of course, not neutered nor had he apparently had any shots. Once I knew, about a year after he came, that he was staying I started to feed him in hopes of making friends. I could not trap him, he was too smart. Over the years he got more beat up, probably made hundreds of kittens, got sick and seemed to be dying several times. I still fed him but he would not let me near him.

2 years ago I started trying again to get closer. I would do my chores with the horses and just walk around him but not changing where I was going. I guess at that point he figured out I was just going to walk by him so he stopped running off when I got close. One day while walking by I stopped and bent over and held my hand out about 3 feet from him. He rolled over and I knew I had him. It took a year after that. He made the moves, I just squatted down and put out my hand and he eventually learned that head rubs were his favorite thing. He is on the couch next to me now. Still very odd, my other cats are not crazy about him but they tolerate each other.

I have had much easier times, usually with kittens, but have learned over the years with all the odd assortment of cats that show up here on the farm that none of them are remotely the same. Your situation sounds like it will resolve fairly quickly since you have a cat who is attentive enough to have gotten her in the house.

Time and patience. I would get so tired of squatting and holding out my hand that I thought I would pass out but it worked. The fact that you get her into your lap is really good. She will learn quickly I bet.

Bless you for tolerating the fleas. That is rough. Have fun, sounds like you are totally in love with her already

It takes time and patience. Some take longer than others. Arkansas Granny Dec 2013 #1
That's what I was hoping. Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #2
That's a promising sign. It sounds like she wants you, on her terms, but doesn't winter is coming Dec 2013 #18
Time and patience. MuseRider Dec 2013 #3
Well, that gives me hope Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #5
just sit near her and let her come to you magical thyme Dec 2013 #4
I think that's the answer. Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #6
it's how they get the strays and ferals at my shelter used to people magical thyme Dec 2013 #7
That sounds like a great job! MuseRider Dec 2013 #8
Cats + books ... best job ever! Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #9
With patience. dipsydoodle Dec 2013 #10
Hard to resist but don't look her in the eyes. Look askance. Good luck. eom. Festivito Dec 2013 #11
Doesn't sound like a true feral. Mz Pip Dec 2013 #12
sometimes white kitties Oscarmonster13 Dec 2013 #13
She may be deaf in one ear. Brigid Dec 2013 #20
This message was self-deleted by its author elocs Dec 2013 #14
My first was also a kitten found when working at the zoo MuseRider Dec 2013 #15
This message was self-deleted by its author elocs Dec 2013 #16
We still have ours however it has been in some trouble MuseRider Dec 2013 #19
How much do you object to smelling like fish? jmowreader Dec 2013 #17
I do hope you will post a picture of her. Raine1967 Dec 2013 #21
I wish I knew how. Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #22
Regarding posting a picture here... pengillian101 Dec 2013 #24
Get down on your knees, quietly and calmly call her over. LeftyMom Dec 2013 #23
Get cat treats and hand feed her. applegrove Dec 2013 #25
I want to thank everyone for their response on this thread. Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #26
I just want to thank you for what you're doing CrawlingChaos Dec 2013 #27
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