Jimmy update!!!

  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #41

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
He's a corker, that's for sure!!

The one thing he has never gotten over from day 1 of me getting him is --- sleeping under the kitchen cabinets.  Where we live we have curtains instead of doors so he loves it.  I have him a pillow in the corner under there.  That's where he goes when he wants his "alone time"....... 
 
Last edited:

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
OH look at Jimbo :love: He knows how to make himself warm and cozy inside :lol3:.... Sorry to hear you were in the hospital. Hope you are alright ?!!!! :hugs::hugs::hugs: I always wonder what would happen if something happened to me, Larry wouldn't know what the heck to do and I think the cat's would just have a meltdown. :lol2:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #43

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
Thanks.........

We have also made a big decision concerning Jimmy.  We have decided to keep him indoors with us till next spring.  I don't think he'll mind.  He likes it.

The reason is he is wishy washy about going in the enclosure at night sometimes.  When outside, he prefers to sleep on the porch by the front door like Toe does, on a blanket.  He is tom cat through and through.  But with cold weather here, I worry.  And I don't like to worry.  In the winter, game is less scarce and they become targets for fox, bobcats, coyotes and that's just not going to happen .  He does't run off or anything like that.  But I want him to have a heated place and be safe.

He is not like the others who flock to the enclosure or who run in the house.  He moves cautiously and probably always will.  I don't want  to  have to worry about him getting stuck outside in the snow in below freezing temps with freezing pads on his little feet.  The others will do fine with the enclosure as they will go inside to get out of the weather.  Jimmy doesn't.  Oh he heads in there and eats but I have never seen him take a nap inside with the door open.

He might have me fooled.  He's pretty smart.  But I am leaving him in till spring.  I'll let him back out after the last frost, which will be next March.  So I am keeping him in all winter.

I probably will shut the enclosure doors this winter on all of them.  They will be so upset but in March they can resume they vigil on the yard...  They have a 1200 square foot enclosure with a heated house.  They can make it with that for 4 months.  I probably won't shut the door until ice/snow hits as far as the other, but their time is coming too.  Dec-March.....  all snow and ice will be over hopefully.  
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #44

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
our bathroom heater ships tomorrow..... and we can set up their heat system.  I'll post pics.  I had pnumonia.  I'm okay now though.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #45

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
ok, I have my first problem with Jimmy......  And I never thought I would see this day!  

I have decided he is completely over being feral because I can't keep him off my fireplace mantle.  He wants to lay up there and sleep among my trinkets.  The first time he got up there I carefully told him NO and touched his hip and he shot down...  The second time I was a little firmer.  And the third I firmly walked over to him and said "Jimmy what are you doing up there?"..

I just got him down again.  He has actually cleared him a little spot up there and pushed everything aside and curls up and crashes up there so he can watch all the comings and goings on around the house.    

He hasn't broken anything yet but he is not listening to me.  That's not how a feral would act.  He is acting like a big ole fat house cat!!! hahahahahha

Jenn
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #47

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
yep..........~  he is a mess.  pretty spoiled.  Since not very many cats are in the house, he feels like he is king.  The only other male in the house is 16 and he's pretty passive so Jimmy has claimed the territory...  He is very happy to be back with princess minny pearl.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #48

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
ok, Jimmy understand the mantle now and also knows what down means.  I was just watching him walk around the living room and I could tell he wanted up there as he kept glancing at the mantle..  

So I watched him ---  he got on the couch and made his jump and then turned around and looked directly at me after getting on the  mantle.  I never left my chair, but  I snapped my fingers at him and pointed to the floor and said "down" and he jumped right down. 

He knows........ he's a smart kitty.
 

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
YAY for Jimmy!! He has chosen the good life now :D.. I have found that nothing if off limits when you have kitties in the house :lol2:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #50

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
that's so true..........  

I have been rocking a spot in front of the fireplace the last couple days for the animals.  We are fixing to re-carpet the living room and I'm frantic -- trying to get this done before winter sets in.   I'm running out of time.

But this will be the older indoor cats rocked spot in front of the fire.  Still have a little more to do.  Needs to be a little bigger but it's coming along nicely.  I think they will enjoy it very much....  rock holds heat.  right now since it's new and all, they are avoiding it like the plague or something.  Not one animal has set a foot on it.

.   
 
Last edited:

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
HOW cool :cool: !!!!!! OH my - I would want to warm myself on that rock too :D. What lucky kitties they will be this winter. They will figure out quick enough that the rock is nice and warm :nod: :clap:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #52

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
Well, it's 11 degrees and all 18 kitty babies are in the house..... they will be in for a few days due to a cold snap in our area.  Supposed to have wind chill of 6-9 below tonight.  And Monday supposed to have snow.  We have been bringing them in if the actual temp falls before 25.  Their kitty house stays about 10 degrees warmer than the outside air, so below 25 puts them in the freeing zone and I can't have them getting cold.

All I can say is "Thank God we have a big big two story house"!!!!
 
Last edited:

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
:cold: :cold: BRRRRR that IS some cold weather you have right now. Good plan for the "kids" I am sure they will appreciate being in the house right now. WOW you have your hands full then :lol3: Hopefully the weather will warm up quickly :cross: :vibes::wavey:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #54

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
Yeah, it's pretty cold right now.  Supposed to snow tonight, so they are in.  They have been in for two days.  Right now they are in a pile in front of the fire place.

They'll be in all day tomorrow and then Tuesday it's supposed to be in the 40's, so they can go out then.  And then back in the 50's and 60's for the following two weeks.

But they are enjoying being in.

And I do have a little update on Jimmy.  Jimmy loves to lay by the fireplace or on the foot of the couch.  I always just leave him alone when he's in one of his fav spots so I won't disturb him.  I like him totally relaxed, but the other day when he was on the end of the couch, I got on the other end, stretched out with my feet beside him and he took it in stride and just went to sleep by my feet......OMG.

And then today he was laying in the middle of the couch and I laid down on the couch and he settled in behind my knees.  I am just shocked.  We have come so far....  I didn't think he would do that but he is totally relaxed with me laying beside him as long as I don't touch him with my body........hehehe.  He will lay inches from me as long as we don't touch.  And he will actually settle in and sleep there beside me.

He has also been taking naps with my big old lab Emma too.....  he likes to lay by her warmth and she seems to enjoy him as well. 

One day he will be a lap kitty.  I see it coming.  I can actually see that day in his future. 

He is going to enjoy this summer so much.  They all love the creek and watching the schools of minnows swimming.  He already follows me around if I take a walk down there.  But this will be his first summer out in the open chasing squirells and rabbits and birds....  This will be Jimmy's best year.  
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #55

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
Jimmy, Jimmy Jimmy......  I love you!!!

Today he sat on the chaise lounge chair with me and I KISSED HIM ALL OVER HIS HEAD.......  he actually let me.  And he rubbed all over me.....  Finally...
I have been waiting for this day!!!  I even laid down beside him and he just stayed there...  

It's the little things with ferals that make it all worthwhile......
It has taken me years to get a really good SAFE kiss from him.....

Jenn
 
Last edited:

sadiecat

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
141
Purraise
2
Location
Ontario, Canada
Jenn,

What a great story! I love your kitty palace and Jimmy is one (of many) lucky kitties!!

I can't wait to hear more of their adventures.

It is also very interesting to read about how you are living off the land, ie. pumping river water and such.

Sounds like such an ideal, beautiful life that you have :)

Julie
 

resie

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Mar 24, 2012
Messages
14
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
That's great, congratulations! And way to go Jimmy!


I love your pics. The enclosure looks so good!
 

eilcon

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
11,094
Purraise
1
Location
Cincinnati
Awww, Jenn, what great news!!!
This is such a huge step for you and Jimmy! I can't thank you enough for all the patience and love you've given him over the years and for your willingness to accept him for who he is. He's a lucky boy!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #60

jcribbs

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
2,064
Purraise
25
Location
In them thar hills...
He's pretty awesome Miss Elly....  He is even letting hubby pet him "slightly"...  But he is my cat...  He is fat and sassy.  I have kept him indoors with me throughout the winter so he learned the joys of a wood burning stove and it's warmth..    He is doing great and he is a spectacular cat.  He is still moving forward but the steps are different now.  Most of his steps are mental with trust being involved in them.  He likes to follow me around outside when I go on walks.  He is about 10 steps behind ......... but that's ok...  He knows he is safe and that's all that matters. 

I can't wait till he sees his first school of minnows...... hehehe

I'll try to post a couple pics of him in a few days.

Jenn
 
Last edited:
Top