update on male needing help with socialization

Hey guys,

I just wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice on how I could help Casper become more socialized after coming from an abusive home.

I've had him for 2 months now and he's coming along very nicely. I spent a lot of time with him, just talking to him while being in the same room and always giving him his space and respecting him.

Today, I put the girls in their rooms (my queens) and I left Casper's door open and he finally came out. We let him explore and do whatever he wanted. Then just a half hour ago I sat at the opening of his door with my eyes towards the ground and my hands in my lap and Casper came right up to me and sniffed me. I didn't attempt to pet him because I didn't want to scare him. I just let him be the boss today. IT was GREAT!!!!

He is such a sweet cat and he's soooooo handsome. He'll for sure find an amazing home, but I'm going to take as much time as it takes to get him to where he needs to be for him.

Wonderful news on Casper's progress!! Abused cats are a different ballgame altogether, IMO. Thank heaven that Hissy and the others were so willing to be generous with wonderful advise, and my abused rescues are coming around wonderfully, too! After hearing and reading so many of the "bad things" that happen on the internet, it is refreshing to see how much good the internet can do as well

ooo, I had to come back and say that yesterday was amazing for progress. Casper came up to me again and put his head under my hand and he let me pet him for the first time and he doesn't hiss at me anymore.

He still extremely skiddish, like I really have to move very slowly and with great care or he runs and hides, but he's really blossoming into the cat I know he can be!

I'm so glad your babies are coming along too! It's so sad that they had to go through the abuse, but I think that it is wonderful that they are getting a second go with loving, wonderful people!

Great news about Casper! Great job having the patience and love needed to break down the walls that an abused cat has built up.

I thought it would be time for another update:

Today for the first time, Casper let me pick him up. As soon as I did, he duck his head down like he was trying to hide his head, like he was really scared. This reminded me of the day I took him home. The person brought him out and he was in the same position and I looked at it funny and the woman said he thinks he's going to get "heck". Poor kitty!

He's doing a lot better now and will come out when I call him and he's really beginning to trust me, so I'm super happy. Out of all the cats I have right now, I'll most likely keep him. He's stolen my heart!