Hello catfolks,

many thanks for your advice, I have used some and I hope there is some
progress.

First of all I now present Marko his food bowl in front of his nose
and "ask" him to come out of his "castle". This is working quite fine.
He normally follows the bowl and eats outside his "home" and doesn't
mind, if I am sitting only a few inches away. Sometimes I will receive
a questioning look, but as long as I don't move he will eat. Although
I am tempted to touch him I will not try that for a while - he shall
become more confident.

I have presented him some bits of kibble on a plastic ladle (I regard
my fingers as too much in danger at the moment ;-) ) and he will take
them. I have lured him near my hand that way and gave him some pieces
of kibble directly. He nearly took one piece from my hand! During that
process HE touched ME with his nose.

Merlin was down with me once and we had a little play: I had put some
of Merlin's favourite kibble into an egg carton (6 eggs capacity).
There are two holes at the one small side of the carton, so the kibble
comes out piece by piece if Merlin pounces the carton around skilful
enough. Marko was watching from his cover. Eventually Merlin had
emptied the carton, then he recognized Marko. He turned towards him
and stepped forward. I was preparing for an UN-intervention, but
Merlin just hissed at Marko and went on to other cat's businesses
upstairs.

While he stays near his territory during the day Marko started to roam
the house at night. At about 23:00 yesterday I was still reading when
he payed me a visit - he was just standing in the door I left ajar but
didn't came in. I have some goodies in the sleeping room, so Marko
woke me this morning at about 5:30 when he started to crunch some
kibble I had put in a bowl for him under my table.

He will do that whether Merlin is in or not and Merlin obviously is
not much interested in the new "intruder".

Meanwhile I have got some pictures and hopefully I can put them online
soon.

I wish everyone al the best for the changing of the year.

Sincerely, Michael