Visitor cat

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Adrian - 27 Dec 2005 14:57 GMT

There has been a black tom cat visiting my garden for three or four years,
at one time he ran away if he even saw me looking at him out of the window.
About three months ago I realised he was sleeping in my summer house, the
window had bee left open, so I started putting some food down for him. He
was still very wary of me, instead of running he walked away when I
approached, later he didn't leave until I opened the door. This morning we
made another step forward, he stayed in his bed when I filled his dish, even
though he was watching me like a hawk.

With luck, in a few more weeks he may allow me to touch him. The next step
after that will be a visit to TED for the snip. I'm not going to rush things
though, I'd rather he had a safe dry bed through the winter, I don't want to
frighten him away.

Bagheera is sleeping comfortably on his cushion by my chair, I've just
uploaded a picture of him.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/418822180/529670006ZGmmdw

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Adrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera)
A House is not a home, without a cat.
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk

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CatNipped - 27 Dec 2005 15:23 GMT

> There has been a black tom cat visiting my garden for three or four years,
> at one time he ran away if he even saw me looking at him out of the
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> uploaded a picture of him.
> http://community.webshots.com/photo/418822180/529670006ZGmmdw

Yeah, it might be best if you waited until spring before trying to catch him
to get him to the vet. I tried too hard to catch "Little Gray Cat" here and
I frightened her off for good instead.

Bless you for taking care of the little waif!

Hugs,

CatNipped

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Christina Websell - 27 Dec 2005 15:27 GMT

> There has been a black tom cat visiting my garden for three or four years,
> at one time he ran away if he even saw me looking at him out of the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> even
> though he was watching me like a hawk.

This was like what happened with Boyfie, although he wasn't out as long as
that. First he slept in the conservatory but ran away as soon as I opened
the back door for weeks.. Then I put food out for him, but he wouldn't come
near it if I was anywhere in sight, even looking through the window. It
took ages. He was so scared.
I gradually moved the food nearer and then inside the house and he would
only come and eat it if I stayed a room away. Then I stood in the kitchen
for a few days, keeping absolutely still while he ate.

> With luck, in a few more weeks he may allow me to touch him.

With luck, he will in the end.

>The next step
> after that will be a visit to TED for the snip.

That's what I did but it was ages after Boyfie was brave enough to finally
come into the house. I thought I must not grab him and take him for the
snip the second he allowed me to get hold of him or he would never trust me
again, and I'm sure he wouldn't have and would have run off again from here,
his onetruehome.

>I'm not going to rush things
> though, I'd rather he had a safe dry bed through the winter, I don't want
> to
> frighten him away.

Softly, softly, catchee monkey. Leave him for now, just feed him and see
how the relationship develops over time. If you catch him too early in this
relationship and have him neutered, he will run away when you bring him
back.

Tweed

> Bagheera is sleeping comfortably on his cushion by my chair, I've just
> uploaded a picture of him.
> http://community.webshots.com/photo/418822180/529670006ZGmmdw

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Kreisleriana - 27 Dec 2005 17:53 GMT

>> There has been a black tom cat visiting my garden for three or four years,
>> at one time he ran away if he even saw me looking at him out of the
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
>Tweed

I have to second you on this. A do-gooder cousin of mine, Marie,
snatched up a regular visitor cat, had him snipped, and deposited him
on an aunt of mine who had recently lost a furry master. The cat,
Francis, was so thoroughly traumatized by this insensitive handling
that he retired to the laundry room, and would not come out from
behind the washing machine. He also tried to hide himself behind a
hot water pipe, and got a bad burn, after which his health went
abruptly downhill and he could not be saved. It was a very rough
experience for all concerned.

Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com

Make Levees, Not War

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Karen - 27 Dec 2005 16:03 GMT

> There has been a black tom cat visiting my garden for three or four years,
> at one time he ran away if he even saw me looking at him out of the window.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> uploaded a picture of him.
> http://community.webshots.com/photo/418822180/529670006ZGmmdw

I'm glad your visitor has a nice place to sleep and food. Hopefully
there will be no need to get him to the vet before you are able to
touch him. Baggy looks sooooo comfy!

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polonca12000 - 27 Dec 2005 21:37 GMT

Thank you so much for taking such good care of the black cat. I agree
with you, it is much better to take it slowly.
Best wishes,
Polonca and Soncek

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Marina - 28 Dec 2005 07:45 GMT

> With luck, in a few more weeks he may allow me to touch him. The next step
> after that will be a visit to TED for the snip. I'm not going to rush things
> though, I'd rather he had a safe dry bed through the winter, I don't want to
> frighten him away.

Purrs for your black friend and the snip.

> Bagheera is sleeping comfortably on his cushion by my chair, I've just
> uploaded a picture of him.
> http://community.webshots.com/photo/418822180/529670006ZGmmdw

Aww, looks like he wuvs his pillow.

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Marina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.
marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi
Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/
Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/
and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

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Pamela Shirk - 28 Dec 2005 22:12 GMT

You've made a lot of progress, Adrian. Good luck in getting him even more
relaxed with you and then getting him to TED. Do your owners have an
opinion about him? What do you call him, other than Black Tom?

Pam S. smiling

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Adrian - 29 Dec 2005 10:09 GMT

Pamela Shirk wrote:

>> There has been a black tom cat visiting my garden for three or four
>> years, at one time he ran away if he even saw me looking at him out
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Pam S. smiling

I think I'll probably call him, Shadow, as he likes to hide in the shadows.
Snoopy hates all other cats, she'd much rather be an only cat. Baggy wants
to be friends with everyone so I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Baggy and Shadow
have met outside without any hissing.

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Adrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera)
A House is not a home, without a cat.
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk

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