FOUR Years and Just Got the First Real Pets

Chinny Chin Chin showed up four years ago.  OH has been putting food out all that time, the cat has hung around and it's taken this long to touch her.  We think it's a female, probably spayed as there has never been any sign of kittens.  Anyway, Chinny has come around greatly with competition from another feral who cozied up much faster and I can pick up.  Chinny has made it clear she wants to play when I play with Joey and tonight, with the help of the Magic Stick, I got pets, she asked for them.  I got a couple in last night but tonight, real, full out pets with her pushing her head against my hand and my leg.  After FOUR years.  It's amazing.  

What a tremendous breakthrough!     After so long, you must really treasure being able to touch Chinny Chin Chin.  When they finally trust you enough to let you do that, it feels like such a gift.  Chinny is really a very pretty girl. 

Yay! I'm so glad your patience has paid off. She's beautiful

 Congratulations!!! What a beautiful, well-fed cat. I have a feral colony in my yard & I have many cats whom I've never touched in the five years that I have been caring for them. You definitely have bridged a huge gap with Chinny and I am happy for you both! 

You folks know how happy I am.  More pets tonight, she came right up and demanded them.  I got a couple of wee licks on my hand and I got her to advance one step up to the deck to touch my hand.  And, when the magic stick stops moving she looks me right in the eye, MOVE IT.  You know how scary our faces are to them and what an advance this is.  Chinny is still leery of me when I stand up and move around but not as much and even today was a big difference in that department than yesterday was.  

Chinny Chin Chin is coming along in leaps and bounds.  From our first pets just two weeks ago tonight she came up on the chaise lounge to lie beside me.  I had to sort of lure her at first, using the magic stick and my hand, and then, after getting cramped and bug bitten I just had to move a bit and she jumped down.  But I got her back up twice more simply by patting the seat.  It's amazing, after four years.  She is still very wary.  OH can pet her too but we have both learned we have to offer a hand and wait for her to initiate the pet by bunting her head into our hand.  After she does this a move over her body or head might still frighten her and she'll scamper but recovers quickly and comes back.  Amazing, just amazing.  I'm cramped and bug bitten and I have a big smile on my face.  

I made this video the third day I was able to pet her.  

That's a beautiful video!  Her meows are so sweet and then the way she leans into your hand is just so moving.   You have done a wonderful thing - Chinny Chin Chin obviously wants to love and be loved!  

Margd said:

 
That's a beautiful video!  Her meows are so sweet and then the way she leans into your hand is just so moving.   You have done a wonderful thing - Chinny Chin Chin obviously wants to love and be loved!  

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                It's so lovely to see.  Well done you and well done Chinny Chin Chin.

She is a beautiful cat. You have given her the best gift in life, to be loved and cared for. Now you are getting your gift in return, that cat sure does love you.

I second what Mani said "It's so lovely to see."

Another progress report.  Chinny stepped inside the house last night.    She's been showing signs of curiosity each time the other outside cat, Joey, comes in.  Last night Joey came in, he sleeps inside now, and Chinny looked like this might be the night.  I held the door open and petted her and talked to her and she put her front two feet on the threshold, a first.  Then all four feet.  Then she stepped onto the mat by the door with all four feet.  I thought that would be it because I couln't hold the door open and pet her at the same time when she was that far in.  I wanted to keep the door open so she would have a clear escape route if she wanted.  Plus, the door makes noise, it closing could frighten her. Then she went even further inside, stepping off the mat.  WOW.

Unfortunately at this time she saw the dog and turned and ran outside.  I had shut the gates to the kitchen but they are wire and Chinny could see the dog lying on the other side.  This was still Huge progress.  ONe thing it took Chinny a while to accept was me petting her when I was standing up.  First she was ok with it when I stood in the place we usually play but not anywhere else.  Then another couple of places were deemed safe by her and I could pet her around the yard and deck.  Last night for her to let me pet her while I loomed over her in the scary, but intriguing, open door was a big leap of faith on her part.

Then this morning the dog chased her.  She jumped down, he saw, they both ran.  We are working on that.  I think we will overcome this setback and I think we will get there, get her inside.    She was her normal self at breakfast outside this morning, appearing as soon as the dog was back inside after his morning constitutional.