Wild Cat Adopted Me

[WingedCat]

The last two snow storms which buried us made life pretty miserable for animals. A wild cat, which I have tried to approach many times over the last two years found the 4-7 ft drifts a bit much to handle. With no water available and the snow to deep for hunting she finally decided to take a risk. Sitting a ways from the house she began a plaintive meowing campaign, of course, me being the sucker I am couldn't stand it, so I took her some food. Two days later when I opened the door to set some food out she decided to just walk on in the door and maker herself at home on our back porch. She also decided to allow me the pleasure of petting and holding her. Now each time I feed her she comes onto the porch to eat, she doesn't like to stay in long and starts to get nervous after about 15 mins even though she absolutely loves to be petted and held.

Her actions make me wonder if she did at one time have a home? There is also the little fact that in the two years I have watched her I have never seen her with kittens, so I am assuming she is spayed, unless I am mistaken on her gender. She has lots of fur and trying to see anything in that area is a little tough, she also moves around a lot making it difficult to get a good gander. I have also tried to feel around to see if I could feel the "ball bearings" as I call them, poor kitty probably thinks I am weird human for molesting her like that!

I will keep getting her used to being inside, in a few days she may not have a choice, our temps are supposed to dip to well below zero and I hate to leave her outside in that kind of weather. Oh by the way, my hubby is now calling me the Cat Whisperer, he says he has never seen anyone attract feral cats like I do and they seem to instinctively trust me . lol

Anyway here is a pic of this beautiful baby.

http://img324.imageshack.us/img324/5193/20070107image0008hl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Saviah Wildlife]

It's cute, love that type. It can happen even with feral cats from birth. They can bond and learn to trust.

As far as not having babies, I know it's rare but it could be a boy? :)

[WingedCat]

It could be a boy, though I can't seem to see (due to all the hair) nor feel the ahhemmm male parts. Maybe once she calms down a bit more she will let me have a better look, right now she isn't to comfortable with me trying to hold her on her back long enough for a good look. Can't blame her, I wouldn't want some stranger looking at me like that!!! lol I hope I can find out for sure before this weekend, we have an Alaskan cold front coming in and I don't want to leaver her outside in the brutally cold temps we are supposed to have. If it is an unneutered male I can't have him in the house running loose, I have one unspayed female that is ten years old, way to old to be having kittens, when I took this female in I didn't have the funds to get her fixed, now she is just to old IMO for the surgery. Ah well I'll figure something out, maybe Miss D can make a quick trip up here to help me identify the gender. lmao

[Saviah Wildlife]

Prissy was a pet that was "kept" outside. She was owned by the same neighbors in which I seized Emma Jean (the bunny) from. Now Prissy came to me, like many animals do, it was about 30 below that day... and now she's a spoiled brat. She's always bitching at me when I come near, when I move her over in my chair or on the bed, etc.

Since Misti died I think Prissy has become my main cat.

[Saviah Wildlife]

Oh yeah, I was thinking that your cat is female but just can't have babies. That happens alot too. But wow if it was male!

[WingedCat]

It would be interesting if the kitty was a male. I'm still not sure as we have have had a small set back. Yesterday kitty was outside and I went out for a visit, she was rolling around, purring and loving me rub her belly. I picked her up as I have done for the past few days and for some reason she spooked, I am currently sporting some nice scratches on my nose, the nose she had been kissing early that day. Today she has been stand-offish, i'm sure this will pass, something just had her spooked.

[Saviah Wildlife]

Yeah, never forget she's basically wild. She allows you to do certain things, and may allow more later but it'll take time. She's come a long way as it is.

She loves you.

[WingedCat]

The wild cat, who is now called Alley Cat, is no longer an outside cat! We brought her in the house three days ago and she is loving it. She isn't nuts about the other cats or the dogs, but there have been no fights since the other cats are used to me bringing in strays and know to leave them be. My black cat DC is nuts about Alley Cat and has made tentative attempts to get close to her, last night they touched noses with no growling from Alley.

I am so happy she is now inside so I can look after her fur. She has very long hair and several mats have started to form, we have been working on those slowly. She isn't to fond of brushing, but allows me to brush her for a few minutes at a time.

She is such a sweet kitty. Last night she came out of hiding and joined us on the couch for some snuggle and pets time and I snapped a couple of pics of her.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3440/alleycat01gi2.jpg

Snuggling up to hubby.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/9149/alleycat02xx1.jpg

Lounging on the back of the couch.

[MissDolittle]

ALRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did great!!!!!! :)

[Saviah Wildlife]

Great progress! I told ya so lol

[WingedCat]

Thanks guys!

Last night she decided she just had to go outside. She sat at the back door meowing at the top of her lungs (this cat has a meow that would wake the dead) for two hours. I finally gave in and let her out. It was hilarious to watch her, she walked a few steps, stopped looked back at the house, did this about three times. Halfway to the alley she stopped, doubled back and went under our van, I shut the door and went back into the house. Five minutes later she was back at the door meowing to be let in, hubby let her in and she ran into the house and straight for her favorite spot. I think she decided being a house cat was okay after all. lol

[Saviah Wildlife]

She's probably going to do that quite a few more times however, so be prepared. Come spring she might even revert to being outside. Hopefully not.

[WingedCat]

So far (knock on wood) she seems to have decided the house is much better than outside, no more meowing at the door! We shall see what spring brings when I start opening windows, I hope she will be content to do like the other cats, sit/lay in the window enjoying the fresh air.

Here's a pic of my cat DC lounging in the kitchen window

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1618/dchg4.jpg

[MissDolittle]

Hehehe, that is so great! :)