The house is, of course, a mess now, as the cats redecorate to get the space more to their own liking. Toys are strewn all over the floor, neat piles of papers are knocked over and books pulled out of bookshelves.
The two of them still don't like being touched. Actually, that's not quite true. They like being touched but they haven't convinced themsleves of it yet. Occasionally they'll forget to shy away from a hand when they're distracted by a toy or a treat. They'll allow themselves to be stroked, start purring, push back with their back and raise their tail in the air, and then they'll suddenly think: 'Hang on a second, what am I doing?' and then run away again. It looks like Billy will be the first one to give in completely - I've seen him consider jumping up onto my lap a couple of times before thinking better of it, but that time will come.
A major moment of triumph was last night, when they started following me from room to room for the first time. Call me strange, but I was very happy to be reading my loo-book on the toilet last light, and look up to see two cats watching me intently.
Bella's also started leaping up and down on top of us wheile we're in bed at night. I don't think she's worked out that the moving shapes under the bedclothes are actually Linda and I trying to make room for her to settle down in. But it's another encouraging sign that her shyness is going away.
Let's finish off with a few more photos. More reports soon...
How long before we see them in the strip?
ReplyDeleteHave you tried a lambswool duster (sorry, I don't know the Brit name for it -- like a feather duster but it's natural lamb's wool)? A skittish kitten who didn't like to be petted loved to be stroked with one, and it was a simple step from there to petting. Every kitten I've met loves them, often fighting with it until they're exhausted, and then cuddling it in their sleep.
I'll give it a try, I'll see if I can find one tomorrow. They're happy to be petted if they're feeling secure at the moment. and that means when they're hiding in the wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it while it lasts!
ReplyDeleteMy wife found a stray cat in a parking lot and took it to the vet, thinking it might need to be put down. The vet cleaned it up, treated its cuts and scrapes, and said all it needed was regular meals and to stay out of fights.
It raced around the house once, then settled into the clothes closet. We named him Streak because the only time we saw him was when we'd get up in the middle of the night and there'd be a white streak headed for the closet.
It was a good month before he'd come out when anyone was around, and another couple of months before he'd let us pay him any attention.
Fast forward a couple of years, and he'd had enough regular meals that the fur on his tummy would brush against the carpet when he walked, picking up static electricity, so when he jumped into your lap, you'd get the shock of your life.