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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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My Feral friend
So I built my new feral a home.. it took about 2 weeks for her to go in it.. I woke up this am and she popped out.. So exciting... She is 12 or more yrs old.. she is so cute.. SHE waits for me , crys for me.. rolls all over the ground at me feet and all around me`..` She wants to rub up on me but is so scared,, If I get too close she growls and hisses.. But if I just bend down and talk to her she gets so so close to me.. So I am scared of her.. i am afraid she is going to bite me or scratch me.. I never had a cat and I have never been a cat person, but this cat won my heart,, any one out there who has experience with ferals please tell me your story, I am obsessed with this one.. please any suggestions or advice will be so appreciated.. 
This is the house My BIL built it for me..
Message edited 1/25/2011 10:06:15 AM.
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Posted 1/25/11 9:54 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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mom2mgn
Love my family
Member since 2/08 2267 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: My Feral friend
OMG!!! That is a beautiful house!!!! What a lucky cat! That is so wonderful of you do to that.
Don't be afraid of her. Give her time. Let her warm up to you but, at if she is an older cat, she may always keep her distance from you. Just continue doing what you're doing. When it gets warmer out, you can try sitting out there with her. Just let her come to you and don't make any sudden movements. You should be fine. She can probably sense that you're nervous too.
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| Posted 1/25/11 10:11 AM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by mom2mgn
OMG!!! That is a beautiful house!!!! What a lucky cat! That is so wonderful of you do to that.
Don't be afraid of her. Give her time. Let her warm up to you but, at if she is an older cat, she may always keep her distance from you. Just continue doing what you're doing. When it gets warmer out, you can try sitting out there with her. Just let her come to you and don't make any sudden movements. You should be fine. She can probably sense that you're nervous too.
Seriously! So sweet! I definitely agree with just sitting out there with her and letting her approach you. Try bribing her with treats- tuna, cold cuts like turkey, chicken, or cheese, or actual cat treats. She'll probably be wary of accepting food, but that's how I befriended the cat by my house! She sometimes waits for me in my driveway around when I come home from work. She actually even tried to follow me inside once, but I wouldn't let her sine I have two giant dogs.
Good luck! 
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| Posted 1/25/11 10:17 AM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by jilliibabii
Posted by mom2mgn
OMG!!! That is a beautiful house!!!! What a lucky cat! That is so wonderful of you do to that.
Don't be afraid of her. Give her time. Let her warm up to you but, at if she is an older cat, she may always keep her distance from you. Just continue doing what you're doing. When it gets warmer out, you can try sitting out there with her. Just let her come to you and don't make any sudden movements. You should be fine. She can probably sense that you're nervous too.
Seriously! So sweet! I definitely agree with just sitting out there with her and letting her approach you. Try bribing her with treats- tuna, cold cuts like turkey, chicken, or cheese, or actual cat treats. She'll probably be wary of accepting food, but that's how I befriended the cat by my house! She sometimes waits for me in my driveway around when I come home from work. She actually even tried to follow me inside once, but I wouldn't let her sine I have two giant dogs.
Good luck!
Do you think I should never touch her?
Jilli- do you touch your feral?
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| Posted 1/25/11 10:23 AM |
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BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre
Member since 5/05 9320 total posts
Name:
Mrs. B
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Re: My Feral friend
What a great house!!! If you put newspaper under the blankets - it will keep her extra warm.
My mom had several feral cats living in her yard. She set up places for them to sleep in her garage. She would pile a bunch of old blankets and towels on top of one another & the cats would bury themselves under them for warmth.
NO ONE would be able to get near any of them...not even my mom. Once she started taking care of them - they came close to her, some of them even let her pet the tops of their heads.
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| Posted 1/25/11 10:57 AM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by BriBri2u
What a great house!!! If you put newspaper under the blankets - it will keep her extra warm.
My mom had several feral cats living in her yard. She set up places for them to sleep in her garage. She would pile a bunch of old blankets and towels on top of one another & the cats would bury themselves under them for warmth.
NO ONE would be able to get near any of them...not even my mom. Once she started taking care of them - they came close to her, some of them even let her pet the tops of their heads.
Wow, I am afraid the newspaper will make a crunchy noise and freak her out.. I am using the infant bundle me fleece car seat cover in there now .. It seems so cozy and warm ... I leave the food out side it because its so small in there .. So did your mom ever get bit?
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| Posted 1/25/11 11:01 AM |
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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
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Re: My Feral friend
What a wonderful house. What a lucky kitty
I agree with the above. Once the weather gets warmer, just sit out there with some treats and gain her trust. You could just put your hand out and see what she does.
Regarding the blanket, I read an article on feral colonies where they do not recommend using towels or blankets in shelters as they can get wet and the cats can actual freeze to death They recommend straw. HTH! and what a wonderful thing you've done!
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| Posted 1/25/11 12:49 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by Domino
What a wonderful house. What a lucky kitty
I agree with the above. Once the weather gets warmer, just sit out there with some treats and gain her trust. You could just put your hand out and see what she does.
Regarding the blanket, I read an article on feral colonies where they do not recommend using towels or blankets in shelters as they can get wet and the cats can actual freeze to death They recommend straw. HTH! and what a wonderful thing you've done!
Thanks everyone!! I keep checking the blanket and its dry.. I am going to get the hay.. Where do you suggest this time of year?? TIA
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| Posted 1/25/11 12:51 PM |
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Nifheim
allo
Member since 1/09 5476 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: My Feral friend
OMG so cute so fortunate!
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| Posted 1/25/11 1:29 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by Diana712
Posted by jilliibabii
Posted by mom2mgn
OMG!!! That is a beautiful house!!!! What a lucky cat! That is so wonderful of you do to that.
Don't be afraid of her. Give her time. Let her warm up to you but, at if she is an older cat, she may always keep her distance from you. Just continue doing what you're doing. When it gets warmer out, you can try sitting out there with her. Just let her come to you and don't make any sudden movements. You should be fine. She can probably sense that you're nervous too.
Seriously! So sweet! I definitely agree with just sitting out there with her and letting her approach you. Try bribing her with treats- tuna, cold cuts like turkey, chicken, or cheese, or actual cat treats. She'll probably be wary of accepting food, but that's how I befriended the cat by my house! She sometimes waits for me in my driveway around when I come home from work. She actually even tried to follow me inside once, but I wouldn't let her sine I have two giant dogs.
Good luck!
Do you think I should never touch her?
Jilli- do you touch your feral?
I do, but this was after months of not touching her at all. And I never reach for her, I always just offer out my hand and she rubs against it.
Once I did try to pick her up, well not really, I just put my hands on her to see how she would react. She didn't like it!  She gave me a little warning nip and went back to purring and eating my Wendy's chicken nuggets.
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| Posted 1/25/11 2:20 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by jilliibabii
Once I did try to pick her up, well not really, I just put my hands on her to see how she would react. She didn't like it! She gave me a little warning nip and went back to purring and eating my Wendy's chicken nuggets.
This is what I am afraid of.. If she goes after me I will freak out .. So I will never reach out ant try to touch her .. I will let her rub on me and thats that.. I guess this will take some time.. Patience isnt my best thing.. I am just picturing her diving on me and attacking me .. lol
ETA : I put my hand out last week and she touched me with her nose and then scooted away.. But then she started to hiss and growl at me yesterday and today .. so I am probably going too fast..
Message edited 1/25/2011 3:05:31 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/11 3:02 PM |
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janet
WITH LOVE MY ANGEL MISS YOU!!!
Member since 5/05 12823 total posts
Name:
janet
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Re: My Feral friend
I did not read the replies but i do know you should not have a blanket there . it will get mildew and mold on it and she can get very sick. instead please use hay. It will dry out better. GREAT thing you did for her!!! and if you can get her to let you pet her that is great!!! I have GULP 2 baby ferals right now and BIGGER GULP a third one that jumped in my car last night when I was not looking DONT ask.  good luck with her
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| Posted 1/25/11 3:20 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by janet
I did not read the replies but i do know you should not have a blanket there . it will get mildew and mold on it and she can get very sick. instead please use hay. It will dry out better. GREAT thing you did for her!!! and if you can get her to let you pet her that is great!!! I have GULP 2 baby ferals right now and BIGGER GULP a third one that jumped in my car last night when I was not looking DONT ask. good luck with her
I want to put in the hay but I need to get around to getting it.. In the mean time I plan on keeping the fleece bundle me in there and making sure its dry at all times .. I plan on washing it as well every few days.. I hope thats going to work for now,, I thinks she just goes in there in the morning and waits for me to feed her then she is gone for the day .. I am sure she has a home somewhere for the last 12 years and is very happy there.. The life of a feral is not supposed to be that long. I think she survived all these years because she knows where to go .
ETA: wow I cant believe that cat jumped in your car!!!! Did you get scared!!
Message edited 1/25/2011 4:32:18 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/11 4:30 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by Diana712
Posted by janet
I did not read the replies but i do know you should not have a blanket there . it will get mildew and mold on it and she can get very sick. instead please use hay. It will dry out better. GREAT thing you did for her!!! and if you can get her to let you pet her that is great!!! I have GULP 2 baby ferals right now and BIGGER GULP a third one that jumped in my car last night when I was not looking DONT ask. good luck with her
I want to put in the hay but I need to get around to getting it.. In the mean time I plan on keeping the fleece bundle me in there and making sure its dry at all times .. I plan on washing it as well every few days.. I hope thats going to work for now,, I thinks she just goes in there in the morning and waits for me to feed her then she is gone for the day .. I am sure she has a home somewhere for the last 12 years and is very happy there.. The life of a feral is not supposed to be that long. I think she survived all these years because she knows where to go .
ETA: wow I cant believe that cat jumped in your car!!!! Did you get scared!!
Diana...just be careful if you bring that in, it could have fleas in it...fleas are an awful mess to get rid of in your home. And make sure Lola is on a monthly flea product with a feral in your yard.
Adorable house btw!!! So nice!!!
We took in an outside cat (not sure if you could say she was feral) when I was 10...long story...she was an outside cat being abused so I kept bringing her home to my mom. We took care of her outside for a year or 2 then she got pg, so we took her in. She never was that friendly to others but boy did she love me. She was so loyal to me.
Message edited 1/25/2011 5:17:13 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/11 5:14 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by Goobster
Posted by Diana712
Posted by janet
I did not read the replies but i do know you should not have a blanket there . it will get mildew and mold on it and she can get very sick. instead please use hay. It will dry out better. GREAT thing you did for her!!! and if you can get her to let you pet her that is great!!! I have GULP 2 baby ferals right now and BIGGER GULP a third one that jumped in my car last night when I was not looking DONT ask. good luck with her
I want to put in the hay but I need to get around to getting it.. In the mean time I plan on keeping the fleece bundle me in there and making sure its dry at all times .. I plan on washing it as well every few days.. I hope thats going to work for now,, I thinks she just goes in there in the morning and waits for me to feed her then she is gone for the day .. I am sure she has a home somewhere for the last 12 years and is very happy there.. The life of a feral is not supposed to be that long. I think she survived all these years because she knows where to go .
ETA: wow I cant believe that cat jumped in your car!!!! Did you get scared!!
Diana...just be careful if you bring that in, it could have fleas in it...fleas are an awful mess to get rid of in your home. And make sure Lola is on a monthly flea product with a feral in your yard.
Adorable house btw!!! So nice!!!
We took in an outside cat (not sure if you could say she was feral) when I was 10...long story...she was an outside cat being abused so I kept bringing her home to my mom. We took care of her outside for a year or 2 then she got pg, so we took her in. She never was that friendly to others but boy did she love me. She was so loyal to me.
Great point goobster I didnt even think of those fleas!!! I wonder where I can buy hay this time of year??? Do you think fleas are around in this cold weather? I probably shouldnt put that in my washer right?
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| Posted 1/25/11 6:26 PM |
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janet
WITH LOVE MY ANGEL MISS YOU!!!
Member since 5/05 12823 total posts
Name:
janet
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by Diana712
Posted by Goobster
Posted by Diana712
Posted by janet
I did not read the replies but i do know you should not have a blanket there . it will get mildew and mold on it and she can get very sick. instead please use hay. It will dry out better. GREAT thing you did for her!!! and if you can get her to let you pet her that is great!!! I have GULP 2 baby ferals right now and BIGGER GULP a third one that jumped in my car last night when I was not looking DONT ask. good luck with her
I want to put in the hay but I need to get around to getting it.. In the mean time I plan on keeping the fleece bundle me in there and making sure its dry at all times .. I plan on washing it as well every few days.. I hope thats going to work for now,, I thinks she just goes in there in the morning and waits for me to feed her then she is gone for the day .. I am sure she has a home somewhere for the last 12 years and is very happy there.. The life of a feral is not supposed to be that long. I think she survived all these years because she knows where to go .
ETA: wow I cant believe that cat jumped in your car!!!! Did you get scared!!
Diana...just be careful if you bring that in, it could have fleas in it...fleas are an awful mess to get rid of in your home. And make sure Lola is on a monthly flea product with a feral in your yard.
Adorable house btw!!! So nice!!!
We took in an outside cat (not sure if you could say she was feral) when I was 10...long story...she was an outside cat being abused so I kept bringing her home to my mom. We took care of her outside for a year or 2 then she got pg, so we took her in. She never was that friendly to others but boy did she love me. She was so loyal to me.
Great point goobster I didnt even think of those fleas!!! I wonder where I can buy hay this time of year??? Do you think fleas are around in this cold weather? I probably shouldnt put that in my washer right?
Where do you live? My neighbor is a cat rescue I can find out where she gets hers from.
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| Posted 1/25/11 6:55 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: My Feral friend
South Shore E rock/ Hewlett
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| Posted 1/25/11 7:04 PM |
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janet
WITH LOVE MY ANGEL MISS YOU!!!
Member since 5/05 12823 total posts
Name:
janet
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Re: My Feral friend
I will ask her and let you know
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| Posted 1/25/11 9:16 PM |
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ODonnell
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Member since 9/05 5983 total posts
Name:
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Re: My Feral friend
That house is amazing
We have quite a few ferals by us and one of our neighbors has a special igloo-type shelter for them on their porch. The cats come between our two houses for food and couple of them have been coming for 3-4 years. We were able to pet one but he has been missing for the last few months. I hate thinking about what might have happened to him.
What a wonderful thing you have done. 
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| Posted 1/26/11 9:21 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: My Feral friend
Diana, Fleas can live year round if they have a warm host so try to get some hay asap so you dont have to worry about bringing things in.
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| Posted 1/26/11 11:46 AM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: My Feral friend
You should be able to buy hay or some type of filler at Petsmart or Petco. It will be in the small animal department where the hamsters are.
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| Posted 1/26/11 11:59 AM |
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BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre
Member since 5/05 9320 total posts
Name:
Mrs. B
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by Diana712
Posted by BriBri2u
What a great house!!! If you put newspaper under the blankets - it will keep her extra warm.
My mom had several feral cats living in her yard. She set up places for them to sleep in her garage. She would pile a bunch of old blankets and towels on top of one another & the cats would bury themselves under them for warmth.
NO ONE would be able to get near any of them...not even my mom. Once she started taking care of them - they came close to her, some of them even let her pet the tops of their heads.
Wow, I am afraid the newspaper will make a crunchy noise and freak her out.. I am using the infant bundle me fleece car seat cover in there now .. It seems so cozy and warm ... I leave the food out side it because its so small in there .. So did your mom ever get bit?
NEVER...she never tried to do more than what the cats were letting her do -like pet their heads. If she did - they would scatter away.
They all loved her though...they would come running out from wherever they were when she got home from work...followed her to the door to wait for food. Meowing & purring until she came out with their food. It was very cute.
Actually, my cat - who is a complete and utter mush is from a litter that one of these strays had before my mom had them fixed. My MIL has a kitten as well from this litter as does my mom.
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| Posted 1/26/11 1:20 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: My Feral friend
Posted by Diana712
Posted by jilliibabii
Once I did try to pick her up, well not really, I just put my hands on her to see how she would react. She didn't like it! She gave me a little warning nip and went back to purring and eating my Wendy's chicken nuggets.
This is what I am afraid of.. If she goes after me I will freak out .. So I will never reach out ant try to touch her .. I will let her rub on me and thats that.. I guess this will take some time.. Patience isnt my best thing.. I am just picturing her diving on me and attacking me .. lol
ETA : I put my hand out last week and she touched me with her nose and then scooted away.. But then she started to hiss and growl at me yesterday and today .. so I am probably going too fast..
Unfortunately, all you can do is back off for the time being and try again in a week or so. But trust me, the cat definitely did not hurt me in any way shape or form. She didn't even break skin! She just gently let me know that I was not to put my hands on her in the only possible way she could.
Even when I had cats growing up and they did scratch me, it's not that bad. Obviously, if you did get scratched, make sure you clean it very well since you never know what these cats can carry. But she's not going to claw your face off or anything. You said you're a dog person, right? She bit me even softer than a teething puppy would nip!
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| Posted 1/26/11 2:31 PM |
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