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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3181.0. "I HEARD IT!!" by STAFF::SECRETARY () Wed Dec 27 1989 14:18

    Well, it has been 16 months since Ninja and Pumpkin came to us.
    Over the holiday weekend, we had a major breakthrough with Ninja.
    
    To fill you in, they lived in a shelter for 2 years (since kittenhood)
    until we adopted them (a brother/sister combo).  When they came
    home with us they hid behind the furniture for about 2 months, and
    hissed and growled if you tried to approach them.
    
    Since their arrival, they have become more domesticated, but still
    keep to themselves for the most part.  They are at their friedliest
    when they want to be fed.  They hate to be picked up or held at
    all.  They LOVE to be petted and brushed/combed as long as you don't
    try to hold them still.  Ninja just sits there loving it, but Pumpkin
    the neurotic one must pace the entire time she is being brushed.
    
    To get back to the major breathrough:  Ninja actually PURRED audibly
    for the first time this weekend.  Pumpkin has been purring all along,
    but Ninja would not purr even when lavished with affection.  He
    would merely close his eyes happily, and breath very deeply.  But
    finally he is purring.
    
    It was 9 months to his first meow (He is a 20-pounder, all black,
    very intimidating-looking, and has the "mew" of a tender kitten).
    
    This may not sound like much, but to those of you who have raised
    ferals or abused/neglected animals, you know where I'm coming from.
    
    Just thought I'd share my happy thoughts!
    
    Best whiskers,
    
    Cathy Sadler
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
3181.1Boy, do I know that feeling! TPMARY::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitWed Dec 27 1989 14:268
My Robin was also feral, but still a kitten.  The first time I heard her
purr, I was so happy!  And the first time she 'made bread' on my lap, I
knew we were meant to be.

Good luck with you new arrivals!  And let's keep hearing those cute kitty
stories!

Mary
3181.2CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Wed Dec 27 1989 14:278
     You Bet!  That's great!!  
    
    The boys we've caught have been very ready purrers but the girls
    are more hesitant.  Jazzie is purring for us now but Christie is
    still silent.  At least she isn't hissing so much.
    
    Keep up the good work.
      Nancy DC
3181.3Congratulations!GVA02::CEHRSThu Dec 28 1989 05:5612
    Cathy,
    
    Congratulations - that is a great success and a big step forward.
    I know wht you are talking about. My cat Patate took ten years
    to trust us fully and to let us pick her up and cuddle her - but
    once she got there, she could not get enough! Spending all the
    time and love on her to make her trust us, made her very very 
    special to us (she passed away in June, but the good memories 
    will always be with us.)
    Wish you all the best with Ninja and Pumpkin.
    Martha
3181.4any advice?MAMIE::RUSSOThu Dec 28 1989 11:2520
    I have a question for those of you with feral experience.  I've
    had a feral cat, Abbey, for about a year now.  She was 6 months
    old when I finally caught her and very, very wild.  She has come
    a long way.  She likes to be around me and she loves to be pet.
    I amonly "allowed" to pet her if I sit on the small stool on the
    side of the bed and she comes around through the back of the bed.
    She slowly works her way from behind the bed.  At thispoint she
    drools and purrs and loves to be pet.  It took awhile for me to
    get her to this point.  I would like to move beyond these limitations
    at this point and be able to pet her in other areas.  She is very
    fast and I can't seem to convince her to let me pet her.
    
         She has crawled over me in the past if I drag a yo-yo string
    replacement over my lap.  She was wild for this piece of string.
    She has since worn it out and I can't find them in any store.  I
    tried other string and no-go.  Yo-yos seem to be out of fashion.
    I'll have to search for another since this piece of strin seemed
    to bring us closer. 
    
    			Mary
3181.5It can happen, I do believe!!!....SHARE::WESTONThu Dec 28 1989 13:3021
    
    WAS REAL GLAD TO HEAR!!!!!!!!!
    
    I only hope, that I could have this happen, with my feral kittens and
    cats at my place.  As I know people are VERY hesitant to adopt them.  I
    know, as in your case and the others in this file, it can work!!!!
    
    I reach out now, if you don't mind!! For those of you who thought about
    adopting my feral cats/kittens and any around, to reconsider and give
    them the love, patience and home they NEED!!!!!!!!
    
    Some do already purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr with me!!!
    
    			Keep the love coming through, and spread
    			it around!
    
    Best of Luck,
    
    Carol