Stellar came to me June 1, 2013. It was so ironic and strange at the same time. The day before I had moved Marvin (a very territorial aggressive stray/feral) into my house. Stellar appeared the very next day almost as though he had been waiting for me to remove Marvin. Shadow has lived on my deck and property since 2010 and was so scared of Marvin. I moved Marvin into my house so poor Shadow could live in peace. He didn't even get a day before a new cat appeared. This new cat was all black and so very skinny. I just did not want any more cats and felt it would be best to trap him and remove him to a rescue shelter. He continued to come almost nightly. I always picked up the dry food by 9pm, but he would come early and sneak into the feeding station. Shadow did not seem to mind. The two began to sniff each other and there didn't seem to be any tension. If he even caught a glimpse of me, he was gone in a flash and wouldn't return for hours or the next day. After 3 weeks of appearing I was still uncertain about what to do. I was picking up the food sooner and sooner and hoping he would just move along. One evening in mid June he came onto my deck and just cried and cried. I too cried. I broke down and took a huge bowl of food out to him. He ate and ate and ate. He was so skinny. I knew then he would be staying. He started coming 2x a day for food and I brought out another feeding station. He and Shadow did very well together. At first I thought he was a she and called her Stella. Then right before trapping, I caught a better look and determined she was now a he. Stella was changed to Stellar!! Trapping was the easiest ever. He went right inside for plain dry food! I trapped him and had him spend the night inside and released him the next morning. He was back before dinner. He and Shadow ran to each other. They had become best buddies. The two boys did nothing but play together in the yard for hours all summer and fall. Stellar started sleeping on the deck by late August. I was so happy for Shadow to have a companion. It makes dealing with winter a bit easier since I know they have each other. I wanted to share a few pictures of Stellar's progression. He was so skinny and scrawy and now he is just beautiful. He is just over a year old. I assume he had some human contact as he allows me to pet him and pick him up. He is scared of others, but allows me alot of liberties. He follows Shadows lead on everything. Both will occasionally come inside the house for short visits now too.
Here is Stellar about a month after he first appeared.
Stellar in August 2013
Stellar in October 2013
Stellar in November 2013
Stellar December 2013 I can't believe the amount of fur he has!!
Shadow and Stellar playing
The boys snuggling in their tent at night. Yep, there are 2 cats in there.
Here is Stellar about a month after he first appeared.
Stellar in August 2013
Stellar in October 2013
Stellar in November 2013
Stellar December 2013 I can't believe the amount of fur he has!!
Shadow and Stellar playing
The boys snuggling in their tent at night. Yep, there are 2 cats in there.
