meet Buggy

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,617
Purraise
36,726
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
Oh, that's great that he show up on time. The timing is getting into him and I think it's cold and snowy, that's why he came knowing there's food for him here.
Is there a way to put a shade or shelter over the entrance of the hot house? So that the snow won't be blown in that much?
The other thing is while he's eating, sit with him and keep talking to him and praise him 'good boy'.

Have you tried while he's eating, you leave him alone with the sliding door closed and see how he reacts being alone there. See if he is restless or scratching the door to get out. If he stays calm, chances are he can be locked in. Otherwise he'll hurt himself trying to bash through the glass door. But then again, it's a risk you'll be taking and this might freak him out.

Every step must be a careful step. Inch his hot house closer and closer to the door and it's a little troublesome to bring in the hot house evert time during feeding but it may help.
 

simonschuster

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Messages
66
Purraise
22
Location
Richmond, Virginia
I have enjoyed reading this thread and your progress with Bug, as I'm in the process of building trust with my own feral (and have the exact same hot house for her!). You are doing great!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #103

bigbadbass

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
597
Purraise
1,393
Location
Long Island, New York
TT and SS:

yes, TT I'm already contemplating a larger enclosure OVER the hot house...at least some sort of wind/snow break using plywood. I've even got spare roof shingles. Hmmmm...could even build something larger, still using the heated electrical pad. Ya got me thinkin'.  Eventually a "catio" of some degree....of course that waits till spring/summer. 

He WILL NOT allow me near the slider door while he's inside....since I started feeding him indoors the slider always ajar 6"....he wants that escape hatch. 

Again, Mr Smarty Pants (Bug) has got some very real common sense and has retained control in a sense. Again I ask...just who the hell owns who?  : )

SS....hello and thank you. With the helpful guidance of various members, especially TT and Ondine, we've come a long way. The Bug, being 12 years feral, is pretty slick. As we make one step forward...at times we go back two, sometimes frustrating. Watching him leave into a snowstorm tonight was quite difficult for me.  

Looking forward, his future vet check, neutering followed by an honest attempt at indoor life...I'm both apprehensive and hopeful. This feral business is new to me...challenging and rewarding. I pray for a positive outcome for the Bug, a long time on his own...he really deserves it.    

I wish you luck with your own little lady and her kitties! You are bold....just read your interesting thread "what more can I do...." . If you don't mind, i'll join in your thread there.   
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #104

bigbadbass

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
597
Purraise
1,393
Location
Long Island, New York
Thankfully.....Bug showed up 3 hours late for his morning feed (snow delay) ..inhaled a can and 1/2 bowl of dry. No doubt I'm THE main feed bag. 

He ate...then went on his normal route...snow or no snow. Resilient little bugger. Resourceful too...using me for all I"m worth. 

Big sigh of relief he's ok. 
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
Oh, they know just what they're doing, or else they don't do well.  It can literally be a matter of life or death if he makes wrong choices.  That's why he recognized a good thing when he saw it (you!).
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #106

bigbadbass

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
597
Purraise
1,393
Location
Long Island, New York
Ondine-

A couple questions. Do you think they "turn on the charm" before a feeding?  Their way of "hustling" us? 

When Bug arrives for his morning greeting...tail up...he's looking for a pet, which I of course oblige...petting on his back...he raises his rear...what does this mean?

My indoor cats do this too....does this defy feral? Or is he channeling his inner Cary Grant? : )   (showing my age)  and trying to hustle and charm me into feeding?  

Or simply his way of displaying happy and content, glad to be there, knowing he'll be filling his belly in a minute?

Thanks....I'm just trying to better comprehend the interaction.      
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
They most assuredly turn on the charm.  They are opportunists by necessity, so they need to figure out what will get us to do what they want.  If that means channeling Cary Grant, then so be it!  BTW Grant's real name was Archie Leach, so you know how old I am!

Some cats raise their butts because they like being scratched at the base of their spine where their tail meets their body.  Use caution here because it can really get them excited and overstimulated.

The cat in my avatar, Chester, loves to be scratched here but he starts drooling soon after and I usually leave him alone.  Another of our cats will beg for scratches here and then swat the nano-second we do it.  None of our other cats care one way or the other.

Most cats, feral or not, will respond one way or the other to a scratch in this area.  Not exclusively feral behavior.

I think Bugs behavior is part hustling and part gratefulness.
 

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,617
Purraise
36,726
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
Yes, Advisor Ondine is right. The base part of tail is sensitive. My boy likes it when I brush there and he'll raise his rear too.
Best part is Bugs asked to be petted. In a way to tell you he wants to eat. My boy will rub his cheeks on my hands when I hold his canned food. They know who the main feeder is and it's a sort of an acknowledgment by such behavior.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #111

bigbadbass

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
597
Purraise
1,393
Location
Long Island, New York
I've got him eating some dry food off the tree! Sprinkled on a couple of its levels. Had it just a few days and he's somewhat acclimated already. We'll work on that further.  

The little prince was late arriving for dinner....ate well...he left, turned back around and came back inside a total of 3 times tonight.

Is he wondering 'hey, its not so bad in there! " ???  I'd swear thats whats going on in that little noggin'. .

But, bottom line...he left into a cold dark night again.  
 

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,617
Purraise
36,726
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
Well done! :clap: That's great that he is moving up the tree without fear. Looks like he knows this is the place to hang out and you are opened till late.
Have some catnips and place some on the cat tree.
Not sure if it's wise to track track him and see where he goes so that you have a little idea why he leave after eating.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #113

bigbadbass

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
597
Purraise
1,393
Location
Long Island, New York
catnip...will do!

I know the dilapidated garage 2 doors down is one stop. His caretaker ladys house down the block opposite side another. .she's got a ton of trees and shrubs...offers hiding places and familiarity. Thats where he grew up with Mommy.  She's the lady who pets him while eating, which explains how I was allowed in such a short period. 

 My property is between those 2 spots....on his "route"...thats how he ended up in my back yard woods. Late October when I began feeding him back there....he'd run if I glanced at him from 20 yards away!  Started feeding in the woods, drew him closer...the rest is history. 

i'll track him down though, good idea, can't hurt.

ty, TT.  
 

simonschuster

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Messages
66
Purraise
22
Location
Richmond, Virginia
Glad to hear Bug came back and has taken a few steps forward. Two steps forward- one step back, isn't it something like that? I'm sure you hated to see him head off into the cold night.

My Mama came back by tonight. Gone 2 and a half days. I was so relieved to see her again.
 

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,617
Purraise
36,726
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
catnip...will do!

I know the dilapidated garage 2 doors down is one stop. His caretaker ladys house down the block opposite side another. .she's got a ton of trees and shrubs...offers hiding places and familiarity. Thats where he grew up with Mommy.  She's the lady who pets him while eating, which explains how I was allowed in such a short period. 

 My property is between those 2 spots....on his "route"...thats how he ended up in my back yard woods. Late October when I began feeding him back there....he'd run if I glanced at him from 20 yards away!  Started feeding in the woods, drew him closer...the rest is history. 

i'll track him down though, good idea, can't hurt.

ty, TT.  
Ah, no wonder he goes back there. That's where he grew up. Wonder if he had any siblings that are around there.
 

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,617
Purraise
36,726
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
Glad to hear Bug came back and has taken a few steps forward. Two steps forward- one step back, isn't it something like that? I'm sure you hated to see him head off into the cold night.

My Mama came back by tonight. Gone 2 and a half days. I was so relieved to see her again.
Good to hear that Mama came back. She must be a wanderer too or like Bugs, back to her birth place.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #117

bigbadbass

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
597
Purraise
1,393
Location
Long Island, New York
Oh, the drama........ I've got Bug in his room, door shut. 

litter box ...check

food....check

quiet...check

He's under a dresser...its been advised here to leave them be a bit, till they ease some. i'll leave him alone today....calling the vet for his availability. Tomorrow may be the day to wrap the vet phase up and move forward.   

It looks like a forced "grab" will have to be employed....so be it.  Motorcycle jacket and gloves...this guys' gonna be rough as a wharf rat and fight like hell.

I'm trying to psyche *myself* into it...not the method I wanted to employ, but whatever it takes. Bug and I will patch up our differences later, i'm sure.

Gotta go to work for just a few hours today,  it'll afford him some solitude. Entering the next phase......to be continued.   
 
Last edited:

tabbytom

Happiness is being owned by a cat
Staff Member
Mentor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
19,617
Purraise
36,726
Location
Lion City, Singa-purr
Door shut? No resistance? That's wonderful! :clap:
Hope your camera is capturing his actions. After this and the visit to the vet, you have to spend quality time with him.

You said that you'll be away for awhile, leave one or two of your unwashed clothings with Bugs.
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
When you go into the room, sit quietly for a few minutes.  Just be Zen for a bit.   It will bring calm to the atmosphere and to you.  Talk quietly as you approach.  If you can, have someone else hold the carrier upright.  That way, you can scruff him and more or less drop him into the carrier.  I've propped the carrier up on a chair, door open, when I didn't have a helper.  Scruffing him at the back of the next will help immobilize him.  Its how mothers carry their kittens to keep them still while traveling.  Support him by putting your other hand under his behind.

And I'm glad you have the leathers to protect yourself.     Good luck1  Vibes you and he come through OK.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #120

bigbadbass

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 14, 2016
Messages
597
Purraise
1,393
Location
Long Island, New York
TY Ondine.

I've got the camera mounted in the room set for motion detect ON.  

Bug still hiding out and silent....no activity...I know he's stressin'....I just returned home...should I wait a day before rough housing him into the carrier? 

Just got off phone with vet....this week available Thurs and Fri drop off in morning, pick up afternoon. So i've got a couple days leeway, may be good to let him calm somewhat.  

Let the games begin.....
 
Last edited:
Top