update of feral that I'm socializing

Well, to start with I've named her Bella. She is very elegant. She no longer runs in shear terror when I come into the room. I can pet her, and she has allowed me to rub her belly. Of course, that was just before she tried to nail me, but she was purring for the first time. Before tonight she had been out of the crate 1 time but wouldn't even try to come out again. Tonight, when I went in to give them their wet food, she came out to eat with the others, She would let me pet her while she was eating, then I managed, finally, to get her to play. She has no idea how to play, but the laser finally got the better of her. She has chasing it up the walls and jumping on one of my other girls, my baby, Smoke. She is so long, thin and awakard. It is so funny to see her, but the most wonderfull think is there wasn't any fear in her eyes. caution yes, but no fear. I know tomorrow she may act as if I'm a monster of some sort, but for now she had some exercise and play and interaction. She was TNR'd but so pretty and young that they didn't want to release her back. she was put in a super large crate and except for the spay, and getting the litter box cleaned and food given , wasn't handled for almost 5 monhts. so for her to come out of her crate is really something. I've got to not fall in love with her. she will need a quiet home, maybe another old person, like me, lol, where things will be on the mellow side. But I have great hope for her. My last feral kitten that I sent back to get Bella, is so good now, that she is being adopted by a family with kids. She will be in 7th heaven. That is the type of home she needs. this one..I know I have to give her back. I know I have to give her back..(keep telling me this.).. I know there are others that I need to help, and if I keep her I can't help any others.

Yeahhh.....I'm so happy

news! Sounds like me! Bless your heart for being such a good friend to the cats! I wish there was an answer to the over population. It is past epidemic. It's.....I don't even have a word. I guess tragic fits. Keep up the good work!

Bella seems to be doing better. Now when I come into the room at 9.30 to feed the wet food and I open the crate door to get the dish out, she comes out of the crate to eat with the other girls. Tonight I was able to pet her while she was eating, but if I took my hand off of her and then put it back on her, she would back up then come forward again. I tried to get her to play with the laser but she wanted to run back into her crate and go to the top shelf which is her security shelf. I really want her to do well. she is so sweet. I wish she would come out and play and enjoy being a cat. Sometimes I feel like she will never want to and other times I can see fun and joy in her eyes.