Update on my 2 ferals

Shadow has been with me since July 2010 and is now almost 2 years old.  He is such a delight and has come so far.  I have been petting him since March and am now able to pick him up if needed.  He comes into the house most every day for a visit.  He will stay any where from 15 minutes to many hours.  He also likes to sleep in the house when it is windy/raining or freezing cold.  He uses the indoor litter box too.  He is so snuggly and just a wonderful baby boy.  He is still skittish of my DH and doesn't like the dog at all.  He really likes my indoor kitty, Jake, but Jake hates him.  I have to keep them completely separated.  I would so love Shadow to live inside the house full time, but he so freaks out if I try to mess with his desires.  So we just take it day by day.

Patches, my newest feral has been with me since May or June of this year.  I saw him a few times last winter, but thought for sure he had a home.  When he showed up in May he was quite skinny.  He would eat a bit and then just run and not return for days.  He was here off and on most of the summer, but nothing too consistent.  Then around Sept. it became an every day event.  He now is here a few times a day to eat and often just hangs out on the deck with Shadow.  Fortunately the two get along just fine.  The bad news is that Patches is fully intact.  I will need to trap him in the spring and have him neutered.  He is now starting to meow at me and only runs to the edge of the deck when I come out with food.  On Monday, it was windy and in the upper 40's.  Shadow is usually found sprawled on the outdoor loveseat.  When I went to look outside, Shadow and Patches were both on the loveseat!!!  Patches was on the heated pad and Shadow on the blanket.  It was so sweet to see. 

Here is a picture of the 2 of them.  Shadow is gray and patches is brown/black/white

Right now I have an awning over the loveseat area.  Unfortunately it is not for winter use.  So as soon as measurable snow is to fall, it has to be taken down.  I was beside myself since Shadow spends probably 18 hours or more each day on the deck and on the loveseat.  So I purchased ( you can see a bit of it in the picture) a Shed in a Box.  Here is a link to where I bought it http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202065767/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I plan to keep the front door mostly open until the cats are used to it.  I have it set up now so they can wander inside and get used to it.  It really helps to block the wind and will keep them really dry.  I also like how on sunny days, it gets really warm inside.  I also have a feralvilla DH built that Patches sometimes uses.  I may put it inside the shed too.  I worry so much about their safety and hate when it gets cold.  Shadow will come inside to warm up and sometimes stay the night.  Unfortunately he freaks if I go upstairs to my bedroom so I am left to sleep on the couch or floor with him.  He of course loves it when I sleep with him.  He curls up next to me and just purrs and purrs.