You might remember the 3-year old orange tabby I posted about. He was
trapped by us as a 10-week old feral, kept for 3 weeks and "tamed", got
his shots, etc., then went to a new home in Portland. She moved 3 mos.
ago and left him with a co-worker. Abernathy reverted to feral-mode, and
the new owner could not get close to him. For months, he was either in a
drawer or the back of a closet, and she was very afraid of him. Well,
the cat is in now the cradle -- wooo hoooo! He's here.

I picked up him up about a week ago. I took a trap and a carrier, and
was set to spend a couple of hours trying to corral a hissing, feral
cat. We worked out a couple of scenarios for him with the carrier and
blockades in the closet, and nabbed him in 15 minutes and only two
hisses! What a relief.

Walter and I have decided to work with him, that he was going to be our
responsibility, and he will stay with us. We knew he was turning into
such a loving kitten when he went to his first home, that we felt
responsible to try to make it right for him again (thanks for the offer
though, Charlie.) The 2nd owner was so distressed at the situation, she
was starting to look into shelters for him. We knew he would never be
adopted.

Anyway, all is going well. He's in a room by himeself, mellowing and
listening to talk radio, and I have taken an "example cat" in to him a
few times. He's very interested in the other cats but has not had a
formal introdution, just more of a "see, here's how we pet and love and
feed cats around here."

I have had to scare the crap out of him for some tough love, getting him
out of the closet where I could work with him. After exiting the closet
he hides behind a small chair. I've spent lots of time on the floor
where he could see me from there. I also finished a book last weekend,
most of it on the floor. :)

One major breakthrough was last Saturday, he took chicken from my hand
-- woo hooo! After two more days of hand-feeding, I was able to touch
his head without him backing away. I then began to scritch the back of
his neck, and he lowered his head for me. I scritched all around his
ears and this loud, rumble escaped out of him. He started purring like a
banchee. It was such a surprise!

Since then, he usually lets me scritch him, and has started coming out a
few feet from behind the chair at times, and flopping against my leg so
I can scritch his back too. He was such an emotional kitten, he has not
changed at 3 years old. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

Thanks for listening, and for all of the advice. We plan more cat
introductions as we go and everyday scritching sessions. I'm waiting for
him to tell me when he's okay with venturing into the rest of the house.

Rhonda