Charley's been spayed, and now . . . WOW! (no photos)

[bertha katzenengel]

Charley's semi-feral. With her sister, Skittles, she's been living in our house since November. I tried to catch them both to be spayed last week, but Skittles got wise and stayed away from me.

Last night I was holding Cat Court -- that consists of sitting on the toilet and petting all who come to pay homage. I am a captive audience and I usually get three or four cats who come in for scritchies.

Charley had been in the habit of coming along for scritchies, but she did it stealthily, as if she were subsuming her fear by pretending I wasn't there. It was really cute. But she never stayed for long.

Yesterday, she came in with the other cats, and when they went away, she stayed, and she let me do everything -- scratch her ears, under her chin, her neck, at the base of her tail; pet her, play with her paws, jiggle her little head -- if it weren't for her incision, I think she would've let me tickle her tummy (of course I didn't try). I must have sat on that damned commode for ten minutes. Ow. But playing with a semi-feral cat like that, for so long, was wonderful! A tremendous and unexpected treat.

This morning, she did it again! When I woke up, she was sleeping inside my left knee. I sat up slowly and began to pet her. She didn't even jump a little. Just started purring and went for my fingers with her head.

WOW! I think I may yet tame this feral child. :woohoo:

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Congrats on your triumph! That is great news.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

EDIT: I am in awe of your choice of throne.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[bertha katzenengel]

6. My throne

Cats may have brains the size of walnuts, but they do learn. They know that that is the only place I can't get away. Smart little buggers. :7

[Patiod]

2. Aw, little Charley!

Why do cats always want to come visit when you're on the toilet? Ours doesn't believe that anyone should have to go to the bathroom alone - she figures we need her help and encouragement.


How's Buddy doing?

[bertha katzenengel]

3. I haven't seen him since I wrote about him sitting in my lap and becoming

part of the family. :(

[Dover]

4. A sweet funny story! I had a similar response from some semi-feral

cats after they were spayed. I 'inherited' 4 cats when I moved into my new place (left by the previous owner without so much as a mention). Three were female and ALL were pregnant...though not too far along. They were very skiddish and didn't allow me to handle them at all. I knew I didn't have a lot of time to consider what to do with them. So I decided to keep them and have them spayed.

I thought to myself that once I do that they might never come in my vicinity again for such a betrayal of the natural order of things.
After they were spayed, I brought them inside and gave them a space in the laundry room while they recovered (so they would not be exposed to the hazards of outdoor life when still woozy from the operation). I left them there overnight and when I walked into the laundry room the next day they all were falling over themselves to rub up against me and be my friend. I was so surprised. I half expected them to bolt and scatter when I opened the door.

So oddly, that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Who woulda thunk?

And I too hold court on my bathroom thrown. It's our morning ritual "love-in".

[bertha katzenengel]

5. That's a great story, Dover.

What are their names?

[Dover]

7. Casper, Bella, Piper, Matilda

Casper, the male, did not have the same response to being neutered.
He was indignant, seemed to be traumatized, and fled.

But I was so curious that the females had such a different response, and that it actually seemed to be the catalyst for our bonding.