Devon - A Work in Progress

Devon is still a work in progress with a ways to go but very slowly he's getting there. He still hisses but not nearly as much as before. He's got a good appetite and just recently has started to eat treats out of my hand. He still won't let me touch him though. I was playing with Cheddar (aka, the purr-machine) in front of Devon's crate and I could see that he wants to trust but is still scared. He did play with my hand a tiny bit by swatting at my finger (no nails out, just pawing playfully) but that's pretty much the extent of it and I heard him purring.

I will have more time in the next several weeks as I will be finished this term on Wednesday and don't start again until the beginning of September. Again, not the most ideal, but the best I can do considering everything.

Devon let me touch him!!!!!!!!!

I was playing with him with those toys with the mouse on a string and he came and brushed up against my hand and flopped on his back!!!! I'm so happy!! He's purring like crazy.

How do I know it's safe to push for more?

Next time he does this, offer your fist to him. It will look like a cat asking for a head butt and he may respond by head butting back. You can then stretch your fingers and give him a quick pet.

Devon let me pick him up for a short while. He got a bit tense but was still purring.

Someone told me that a purring cat can mean a happy cat or a tense cat. Is this true?

 

I can be either - a sign of happiness or they are comforting themselves.  Either way, he seems to be making slow progress and that's a good sign!