Conference misery::feline_v1

    Are they himmies by any chance. Both my himmies are very shy.
    Ming is better lately but let her hear a little voice and 
    running feet and off she goes. She know's this means pulled tail
    and pulled fur. Some of my family has yet to see Mr. Miyagi. If
    he is downstairs with us when they come in the door, he is gone
    like a shot. He is affectionately called our phantom cat.
    
    Unfortunately, I didn't have either as a kitten. We have learned
    to live with their little quirks.
    
    Barbara & her 3 M's

    This note hits home!
    
    When we first got Taja, he welcomed anyone into our home and feared
    nothing.  Then, the dreaded housecall vet paid a visit, and things have
    never been the same.  The mere sound of the doorbell sends him fleeing
    for safety, and he won't make an appearance until he is certain the
    intruders are gone!  If I seek him out and force him to be social he
    becomes very agitated and frightened, so I just do nothing.  Sometimes,
    if the guests are quiet he will come out of hiding and walk around. 
    The less fuss I make, the more comfortable he becomes.
    
    Just think, if your home was ever burglarized at least the cats will
    make themselves scarce and be out of harms way.  And, if they are
    indoor/outdoor cats, their shyness will discourage folks who might want
    to hurt them.
    
    Enjoy your kids for what they are!  There is something very endearing
    about the skittish ones who put complete faith and trust in their
    "people."
    
    -Roberta
    

    I agree with Roberta.  Just accept their shyness. 
    
    We have an x-feral (part of a wild colony) named BOB.  He is the
    biggest cat in the house weighing in around 17 lbs (yes, some of that
    is fat).  He is also the biggest fraidy-cat.  We've had him since
    December 17, 1989.  I have always accepted that he will run and
    hide when there are strangers around.  
    
    Lately, however, he has put in brief appearances for some of our
    friends.  And he's pretty much accepted our friend Margaret as a
    member of the household.  He still runs and hides when a stranger
    comes over, but now if its someone he knows he'll come out after a bit.
    
      nancy
    

         I think cats get over shyness with age.
    
         Loki used to be the biggest fraidy-cat.  Everytime someone knocked
    on our door (our doorbell doesn't work ;-) ), talked loudly outside or
    visited, he'd be under the bed.  He is now 10, however, and now he
    still runs, but then sneaks out and looks.  A few times he's even come
    out, though the rule is "look but don't touch".
    
         Bigfoot (13) doesn't get fazed by strangers.
    
         Midnight (1) runs and hides and doesn't come out at all.  But I
    suspect with time, she'll do what Loki does and we'll soon see her
    peeking out.
    
         *All* run whenever a carrier is moved.  Carrier = outside = vet =
    ouch!
    
    					- Andrea

    Tigger has always been shy around other people.  We assumed it was
    because he grew up with Bill's mom, with no other people around.  He
    has gotten a little better with time (3 years so far) and even knows
    my sister and mother enough not to run for cover when they visit.  He
    also exhibited his hiding tendancies when we brought home the new
    kittens.  We only saw him at feeding time and when he wanted to go out.
    
    The little kitties, on the other hand, are much more sociable.  I am
    in a group that occasionally meets at my house.  Whereas it took them
    a few visits to even see Tigger, no one will forget the first time they
    came over after kittens (A.K.? :-)), who just played with the phone and
    terminal wires as if no one was watching them :-)
    
    Interesting point about the house-vet...maybe that's a good reason not
    to use one!
    
    Jill

    There is also a genetic factor here.  I was amazed to see the 
    different personalities on kittens from the same mom and dad who
    had been subjected to exactly the same conditions from birth.
    Some cats are just plain shy.
      Nancy DC