- Joined
- Nov 4, 2011
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Thought this could use its own post since so many come here asking questions about rehabilitation vs. age.
After 9 months total of working with him outside and then inside, this is Mr. Jinx. He's approximately 8-12 YEARS old. I've known him for less than a year, and he's been indoors for less than 4 months.
He had every sign of complete feral behavior, though I think somewhere in the long gone past he was at minimum fed by someone. He did not and would not let me a) see him - he'd immediately hide under my house b) be in the same yard as him c) eat anywhere near me.
Eventually after constant feeding, he'd let me watch him eat for a minute through a glass door. That took ages.
Then I started sitting outside about 30 feet from him without ever trying to touch him or move closer.
Then when he started moving closer to me, I would spend hours outside reading books.
After that, he eventually would sit next to me. We'd have some eye contact. If I tried anything, I'd get a serious swat - even if it was food.
He eventually rubbed me but still no pets from me.
We then moved on to petting for about a second.
We then moved to petting only if he could not see my hand.
We then moved on to several setbacks, including a few more attacks.
We then moved on to closer bonding, to where, one night, I watched him sit in my yard completely exposed in freezing rain, just watching me in the kitchen, waiting for me to come sit with him (which I did, and we both got drenched). I knew then it was time to bring him in.
I lured him into the kitchen to eat while DH closed the door behind him, and the rest is history.
He was and is worth every bit of time spent. So whenever someone says if a cat is over a certain age it's just "impossible" - look at this picture.
After 9 months total of working with him outside and then inside, this is Mr. Jinx. He's approximately 8-12 YEARS old. I've known him for less than a year, and he's been indoors for less than 4 months.
He had every sign of complete feral behavior, though I think somewhere in the long gone past he was at minimum fed by someone. He did not and would not let me a) see him - he'd immediately hide under my house b) be in the same yard as him c) eat anywhere near me.
Eventually after constant feeding, he'd let me watch him eat for a minute through a glass door. That took ages.
Then I started sitting outside about 30 feet from him without ever trying to touch him or move closer.
Then when he started moving closer to me, I would spend hours outside reading books.
After that, he eventually would sit next to me. We'd have some eye contact. If I tried anything, I'd get a serious swat - even if it was food.
He eventually rubbed me but still no pets from me.
We then moved on to petting for about a second.
We then moved to petting only if he could not see my hand.
We then moved on to several setbacks, including a few more attacks.
We then moved on to closer bonding, to where, one night, I watched him sit in my yard completely exposed in freezing rain, just watching me in the kitchen, waiting for me to come sit with him (which I did, and we both got drenched). I knew then it was time to bring him in.
I lured him into the kitchen to eat while DH closed the door behind him, and the rest is history.
He was and is worth every bit of time spent. So whenever someone says if a cat is over a certain age it's just "impossible" - look at this picture.
Isn't that just THE best gift in the world 
!!!!!!!!!! Great job with Mr. Jinx - he is a handsome boy :love: 
She must be a tiny little darlin' :heart3: 
. He was probably scared straight and never wants out again :cross:. I am thrilled to hear he is so well loved and is now your constant companion and lap cat 
