Now the Challenge Begins

We have two cats, one previously owned, one a stray one deemed “feral.” Both of them are showing me in all ways possible, they want nothing to do with humans. Poorly socialized and also stressed out to the max, Chandler growls the minute I open the door. If she is visible, by the time the door shuts, she is gone. I know where she is because her growls are constantly rumbling. Pretty sad when you consider the woman who owned her had her since she was a young kitten. She is eating, but barely. She has drained out the pet fountain twice making me think something besides her unease at being here might be going on. Yesterday was the first time there was poop in the pan and not a lot of it. She ate 3 sardines from her buffet of offerings.

On the other hand, the battle weary Bronson if he could- he would do more than spit, hiss, growl and swat if given the chance. Last night, as I lay in bed in the early morning, I heard a cat crying. Not consistently (thank you God) because the enclosure is near my neighbor’s bedroom window. But you could hear him howl throughout the morning until it got light. He is eating everything that is offered to him. I did try to approach him to see if he has been handled somewhat in the past, but he let me know quickly, he might be battle weary, but he is also battle ready! LOL

So we will let them decompress and take their time in this process and not rush them. I do get discouraged. I think it’s in human DNA when we serve to other creatures needs, we would like that acknowledged in some way. But they don’t work that emotion, they have their own time clock. Their paws march to the sound of a different drummer.

Every cat here in the sanctuaries were once in the same spot as these two with us. I remember Pita being such a handful that I considered taking up stock in betadine when I had to buy large bottles to cleanse out the wounds she left behind! Now, she is one of my #1 lap sitters and she follows me around the house like a dog. Hence her name. Her original name we considered it to be Holy Terror, so viscious her nature was once upon a time. So I try not to be disheartend coming from a generation who is used to instant cup-a-soup ,  411 directories that didn’t route you overseas and gas stations that used to be called Service Stations offering full service on the spot.

2 thoughts on “Now the Challenge Begins

  1. If anyone can tame these cats to the point of liking – or at least tolerating – humans, it’s you. People want instant pets these days, and animals, especially cats, won’t be hurried. Good luck to that pair, and to you.

  2. Our Sweetie stayed away from me for years, until I re-trapped her to for a dental appointment at our low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Once they cleaned up her mouth (she’s missing 19 teeth!), she allowed me to pet her and brush her fur. I even sneak in a smooch once in awhile, on her head! Good luck with these two.

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