Long before I was ever a member here, I came in search of answers and compassion. What I found here truly touched my heart.
Let me explain:
Two years ago, I'd come upon what I would learn was a mostly feral pregnant cat hiding behind a dumpster. Fortunately, due to the pregnancy, she became quite friendly. (I'm sure the food didn't hurt things either.)
While I had had many cats over the years, a skittish one was fairly new to me. But I was determined to learn all I could, and to see she was as healthy as possible.
I was a nervous caretaker. Birth was something I had never had to deal with alone, and given her prior situation, I had no idea what the result would be.
Many people in my life believed I was making a mistake by taking in a "wild" creature, and they certainly felt I needed no kittens to attend to.
At times, I was sure they were right. That I was being selfish and also naive believing I could domesticate a nervous, pregnant feral and somehow socialize her kittens enough to be adoptable. Perhaps in other cases, the appropriate measures would have been vastly different from those I decided to take.
Towanda had six kittens in all. Two I named Thing 1 and 2, because I could not tell them apart, one named Mickey, the other Mallory, and two, sadly did not survive.
So began my mad, mad adventure into the brazen role of socialization. Fortunately, by this point, I had Towanda (yes, she is named for the rebel cry in the movie 'Fried Green Tomatoes,' in case that name rings a strange bell,) who was as devoted to me as I was to her.
Her kittens turned into fabulous little furballs all their own, and I was overjoyed to find them homes with genuinely loving people.
I never posted during my long great adventure, but THIS site was my harbor in a sea of uncertainty.
So, let me thank you all, for giving me courage and strength and above all KNOWLEDGE, in the rocky terrain that is involved in bonding with these misunderstood angels.
Will post pics, if anyone would like to see what your help has accomplished!
Much Love To All!
Let me explain:
Two years ago, I'd come upon what I would learn was a mostly feral pregnant cat hiding behind a dumpster. Fortunately, due to the pregnancy, she became quite friendly. (I'm sure the food didn't hurt things either.)
While I had had many cats over the years, a skittish one was fairly new to me. But I was determined to learn all I could, and to see she was as healthy as possible.
I was a nervous caretaker. Birth was something I had never had to deal with alone, and given her prior situation, I had no idea what the result would be.
Many people in my life believed I was making a mistake by taking in a "wild" creature, and they certainly felt I needed no kittens to attend to.
At times, I was sure they were right. That I was being selfish and also naive believing I could domesticate a nervous, pregnant feral and somehow socialize her kittens enough to be adoptable. Perhaps in other cases, the appropriate measures would have been vastly different from those I decided to take.
Towanda had six kittens in all. Two I named Thing 1 and 2, because I could not tell them apart, one named Mickey, the other Mallory, and two, sadly did not survive.
So began my mad, mad adventure into the brazen role of socialization. Fortunately, by this point, I had Towanda (yes, she is named for the rebel cry in the movie 'Fried Green Tomatoes,' in case that name rings a strange bell,) who was as devoted to me as I was to her.
Her kittens turned into fabulous little furballs all their own, and I was overjoyed to find them homes with genuinely loving people.
I never posted during my long great adventure, but THIS site was my harbor in a sea of uncertainty.
So, let me thank you all, for giving me courage and strength and above all KNOWLEDGE, in the rocky terrain that is involved in bonding with these misunderstood angels.
Will post pics, if anyone would like to see what your help has accomplished!
Much Love To All!
