I don't care what you say. I'm not doing it. I'm not letting her touch me. I don't care how much she plays with me, it's not gonna work. I'll get sorta close, but not that close. I batted her fingers today, and that's it. She's playing tricky. I'm smarter than that.
(from The Lady... Of course I am totally demoralized. I've read that feral kittens over 12 weeks old are rarely socialized. That's the age Millie was when Malcolm rescued her about 7 weeks ago.... Still, I am trying to be patient and not try to scare Millie by grabbing her and freaking her out. What worries me is that at some point soon I have to bring her to the vet to be spayed, and I've got to be able to get her for that. My gut says as she finds her place in the pecking order here with the big cats, she'll settle down and become more accustomed to me, but I could be completely wrong.)
13 comments:
Aw, Millie will 'just to you, nice Lady. She's jus had a real rough time. And think, some of the firstest people she saw were the V-E-T beans and they poked her and shaved her and all that! I'd be skittery too if mosta the people I'd knowed had done all that to me! Feliway is good stuff, like Grr, Midnight and Cocoa said. Sounds like Millie jus needs more time to 'just to efurryfing tho.
:)
Sanjee
oh nice Lady, efurryone is right. Poor Millie has been furry trau-ma-tized in her young life and it will take more time than normal to 'just. Feliway is really good and it should calm her down some. Mommy has known feral cats who were lots older than Millie when they got 'dopted and they got 'justed and are friendly now. Millie's just still a little freaked out 'bout the aksident, the v-e-t-s, and then being in 3 different houses in a furry short time. And she's just a baby. Once she realizes that she's there furrever she will get better. You're doing a great job nice Lady!!
My mother has a cat that was feral when she got her at 6 months old. It took her a solid year to get the cat somewhat socialized. Salem does well with people she sees daily (my parents), but will rarely let anyone else near her.
When my mother needed to take the cat to the vet, she called ahead & explained the situation. The vet gave her a mild tranquilizer to put in the cat's food. It made her sleepy and compliant, so the trip went off without a hitch. Perhaps your vet could do this for you.
Nice lady - don't worry... I was way over 12 weeks when Mom started feeding me & I trusted her but it took some time. Now I still am not a lap cat but I do love my Mom & let her pet me on my terms...
Millie - give it time... eventually you will like the lady touching you but probably only on your terms....
Ghost
Please dont worry about Millie getting spayed immediately. Poor Autumn was almost a year old when she was finally spayed. She was so sick and hurt that spaying was the last thing on the beans mind. She went into heat as soon as she hit 5 lbs and that was interesting, but not the end of the world. In fact, going into heat might get Millie to allow you to touch her. I makes them very very friendly. It doesnt matter when she gets spayed, just as long as she does eventually. Enjoy Millie and dont sweat the small stuff. She is coming around just fine.
Yes, Millie will eventually get used to you. Bubbles was a grown stray when I met him. I started feeding him and just every few day moved closer to his bowl when he ate. It took about a month for him to eat right next to me. And then I started lightly touching him when he was eating. It took several months before he was comfortable with me picking him up. Now he is such a love and loves to sit on top of me, and he follows he around and comes when I call. It just takes time. I know it is easy to become demolalized, but the worst thing you can do is to grab her. Try some treats to make her come to you. And if she is within reach, don't grab, just softly touch. And I agree that if your other cats are neutered, so that there is no chance of her getting pregnant, you don't have to rush to get get spayed. Good luck.
Sorry another comment. I just checked when you started your blog. You've had her for about 2 weeks? I think you are doing quite well for 2 weeks. She looks pretty comfortable in the house and with you, considering what she went through.
Efurrycat and efurrybean is right, Miss Nice Lady! Little Millie will get used to you, speshly wen she realizes you haf the foods and the treats! Just be payshunt, I kno this is hard for beans, but watch the other cats and you can lern. Keep playing wif her and maybe sleep in the room ware she is somtimes.
Finny & Buddy
Merri Sunshine was a year and
two months with me before
she would come near me.
SHe never was a hugging kitty
be would sit on my feet and
sleep next to me purring.
It takes time, so please
dear Lady do not stress over this.
She will come to love you
on her terms and time.
I think you are great for taking
her to your heart.
Well done, very well done.!!!!
Ditto to all the above!!!
Don't worry...you're doing everything right and making good progress for only 2 weeks time. From what I estimate, Millie must be about the same age as our Misty, about 4 1/2 months. Females can go into their first heat at 5 months, but can safely be spayed after that so there's no rush. If you don't have an intact male in the house it won't matter if she's early. I agree on trying hand feeding. Does she like canned food, tuna or table food...anything that would have a strong scent? I know it's hard and you want to pick her up and cuddl her, but this has to be on her timetable. Try to be patient!
The Mom says "don't worry. It'll take time but it will happen." I agree with her. It sounds like you're doing everything right. The problem is that you're human and have no patience. *wink*
It is -SO- heartening to hear from all of you. Thank you so much for your support and advice. I really appreciate it.
-- The Lady
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