amazing breakthrough for a pound rescue cat

[Donnachaidh]

We adopted a female tabby from the pound over a year ago, and she has had issues that we've had to deal with, the biggest being trust. And we had a breakthrough we weren't expecting that I had to share.

She had been dumped in the pound, along with another cat, and she really acted as if she had been traumatized by it. Acting very weird about food, etc. Well, we were moving to another place, and she started hiding big time, especially when she saw us boxing items and moving furniture out of the house. We literally would have to search all over the house to find her, when the time came to move her and her buddy to the new apartment.

We managed to get her into the cat carry, after she shredded my arm and hand. And she curled into the tiniest ball of fur at the back of the carry. It really bothered me to watch this, because she was reverting to the frightened ball of fluff we had brought home.

When we got to the new place we opened the carry door, expecting her to come out on her own. She didn't move. We literally had to remove the top of the carry and leave her alone, to allow her the chance to acclimate on her own.

Her reaction, once she realized we had just moved to a new place and were not planning on dumping her somewhere - was pure unadulterated joy! She almost wore out her head rubbing on legs, giving nose kisses, and every once in awhile checking out the new digs. And then running back to family members to nosekiss, cuddle and purr her ass off. If she could have spoken I think she would not have shut up for hours about how happy she was that we took her with us.

All the weird habits have either gone or toned down considerably. She doesn't hide, she follows us around for attention, and she really really wants to go hunting outside. We have a happy cat - she's found her bliss.

I think she's really going to heal now. Finally.

[ceile]

1. That's wonderful to hear!

An animal's capacity to heal and trust again is amazing....

[badgerpup]

2. ...

:hug:

That "trust" is the most incredible gift...

So glad that you gave her a place where she feels safe to give it to you!

[emilyg]

3. This makes me so happy.

[david13]

4. That's a nice story. The poor cat felt that he was going to be

abandoned again. So sad.
But that is the way cats are.
Mine expects attention from me all the time. If I go away for one hour he squawks like a stuck pig.
dc

[Donnachaidh]

5. she really did think she was getting tosssed again

And she's still learning where all the windows and high spots are in the new place. And she insists on cuddling at least three times a day. Bliss is her state now ;-)

[BrklynLiberal]

13. Thanks to you..she is your devoted little baby now.

[Warpy]

6. It's amazing to see that switch flip

when they realize they're with you to stay and that you're not going to dump them into some grotty cage surrounded by dogs.

[yellerpup]

7. Yes! This happened with our boy, too.

We adopted two mature cats, Jake and Penny in March 2008. Jake had spent most of his 3 years of life in a shelter when we met him. He had gone out to a home once before but they returned him because he was "too lethargic" (owing, I am sure, to having spent his life in a cage). Anyway, when Christmas rolled around later that year Jake managed to swallow part of a ribbon. I had no idea how much he had eaten so we were obliged to make a middle-of-the-night run to the emergency vet. Jake got an enema and the tech who came out of the back afterwards said that he'd been cursed out and warned not to ever "do that" again on pain of death. Jake went back in the carrier, no yowls, no nothing but extreme depression all the way home. I swear I could almost hear him sigh from the back seat! When we opened the carrier to let him out at home, he realized that he was back in his own territory again and the trust issues that caused him to 'grab and hold' or attack started to melt away. The woman who runs the shelter where we got them has dropped by twice. The first time, they both just went limp and passive and seemed surprised when she didn't take them away. The second time she visited, they disappeared so she couldn't catch them. I'm so happy for you and for your girl who has found her bliss.

Edit for typo

[badgerpup]

8. Know what you mean about 'lethargic'...

Esme was a rescue kitty from a no-kill shelter...had spent her first 4 years there. The kitties weren't caged, but they were confined to garage-sized area with lots of vertical spaces, scratching posts and enclosures.

After watching her for a few days, I told my friend I'd never seen a cat who was so affected by gravity.

[yellerpup]

9. Sad, isn't it?

Both of our babies have gained confidence after spending the past few years with us. Penny and Jake will each put me through my 'training' review several times a day. So far I have been trained to feed, groom, and give affection on demand. Mr. Pup cleans the litter boxes. So sad to see such a big, healthy kitty-boy like Jake all downed out so much of the time, but he's getting better and better about playing for longer periods. I know you've already received a great reward by adopting Esme, but let me also heap praise upon you for being such an excellent human. :yourock:

[spooky3]

10. awww, what a cutie she must be. Good for you for saving her.

[badgerpup]

11. Esme's rewarded me many times over...

I don't talk about her much, but she's a very stable, patient and SERENE cat. Just about the only thing that rocks her boat is the dog next door...she doesn't like him and even when she's sitting on my lap will go and hide when he's outside.
:yoiks:

I used to take her to visit my ex-significant other when he was in hospital. She travels well, liked Jason, and I believe enjoyed 'working' as a therapy cat.
The nurses were mostly charmed by her; even the doctors found her amusing. Especially one...he was examining Jason's leg...asked "What do you think, kitty?" and she reached up and 'kissed' the doc on the nose. Instant fan...he learned her name and addressed her by it from then on.

Even the fire drill didn't upset her...she just looked at all the people running up and down the hallway outside his room, and figured it wasn't HER problem.
She made herself a bit more comfortable on the bed, reminded Jason she was there to be PETTED, thank you (nudge)...and continued purring.

She's going to be 12 next month...and she and Riktor have been friends since they first met. He came right up to her: "Hi, my name's Riktor! What's yours?"
They frequently share my lap, and it just makes me melt and go awwwww (and other silly baby-talk) when they take turns grooming each other's head and ears...:loveya:

I feel very fortunate that my monsters get along so well for the most part...and I think a lot of it has to do with Esme's having such a placid, phlegmatic and serene nature.
She's a good cat, she is...:hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

12. Abandonment fears overcome....how wonderful for her and for you.

and there are still folks who say animals do not have feelings....