Wonderful update on my dear sweet Shadow

shadowsrescue

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Shadow is my 3/12 year old feral (actually not so feral any more!).  He lives outside on my deck and has since he was a bit over a year.  At this time he will continue to live outside as it is his domain.  He had a rough winter and spring.  In Feb. he was attacked by a neighbors cat.  Shadow is the sweetest cat, but also very skittish, scared, meek and insecure.  He would never start a fight and always cowers if ever approached by another cat.  This other cat took a huge chunk out of his backside.  Fortunately I am able to touch him and could clean the wound, apply antibiotic ointment and give him antibiotics.  A few months after he recovered, his friend of nearly 2 years, Patches disappeared.  I had finally trapped and neutered him and once I released him he never came back.  Shadow was so lonely.  Another stray had been hanging around and eating from the deck since December.  He was so skittish and wanted nothing to do with the other cats.  He only wanted to eat.  Yet, my spring, he was coming out of his shell.  He became friendly and in turn extremely territorial.  I had trapped and neutered him earlier.  He began to chase and torment Shadow.  He wasn't hurting him, but scaring him.  Shadow was afraid to live on the deck.  I had to move Shadow and a shelter to my front porch.  I tried in earnest to find a home for this tray, but with it being kitten season, I had no luck.  On a whim (not like me at all), I moved this stray (Marvin) into my house.  This afforded Shadow to move back onto his deck.  He had lived on my front porch for about a month.  He made the transition back easily and was quite happy.  Then much to my dismay another stray showed up.  Yet, this one seemed to have a very gentle energy to him.  After he had been hanging around and sneaking bits of food for a few weeks, I saw how skinny he was and decided to feed him.  He and Shadow quickly became friends.  This new little guy would only show up at night.  Shadow would sit and wait for him each night.  If he was late, Shadow would pace the deck and then pace the yard.  I discovered this little guy was no neutered so out the trap came yet again.  He was my easiest trapping yet!  When I let him go the next day, he only stayed away about 8 hours.  When he came walking back through the yard, Shadow ran to him and they rubbed all over each other.  My boy, Stellar is just wonderful. He now comes 2x a day and spends most of his day light hours under my deck.  Yet, at night he sleeps snuggled up with Shadow.  The boys have now begun to play.  It is the most wonderful thing to see.  Shadow is the alpha and leads Stellar around like a child.  It has brought Shadow out to a new level.  He is so proud and confident.  His body language is even different.  It is the most wonderful thing for me to see.  I just had to share.  I spend so much time worrying about Shadow.  He has come into the house, but never wants to stay.  I have not forced the issue.  My indoor only cat, Jake has not liked Shadow from day one.  It just has never felt right to bring him inside.  He has a most wonderful winter set up and if I ever felt he was in danger or wanted to live inside, he would be inside immediately. 

Here is a picture of the boys wrestling.  Shadow is the grey tiger and Stellar the black kitty.

 

vball91

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That is a terrific update!
I'm so happy for Shadow and Stellar and you.
 

ldg

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:heart2: :heart2: :heart2: What a lovely, heartwarming story. The picture says it all! :rub:

I am sorry about Patches. :( We've had very few not return after being spayed or neutered. But it's always so distressing. :hugs:
 
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