We just couldn't leave her out this winter...

Hello all. I thank you in advance for any help or suggestions and apologize for the long back story...This past March, my husband and I started to be visited by a beautiful little calico that we now call "Girl". I have to say first off that I had previously owned a little calico, Kali aka "Girl" that passed away in 2010. She was 17+ yrs old and loved dearly. The night prior to the arrival of this kitty, I had a dream of my Kali. The next morning after recalling the dream I was talking to my daughter on the phone and walked past our picture window, there she was, sitting in the driveway starring right at me. We live in a somewhat rural area with a few old farms and new subdivisions. The land next to us has an old barn and 1.4 acres owned by my husband's boss. In the 3+ years we have been here we never saw her. After developing a feeding routine with her I noticed that her left ear was tipped and as time passed into spring and she didnt become pregnant we assumed she had been a part of a TNR. She came everyday like clockwork, in the morning and afternoon. She would even sit and wait on the porch for us. Sometimes she come running up to our trucks when arriving home, happy to see us, then realizing wait, I am not suppose to love you and wait for her meal at a distance. My husband had grown very fond of her and sat with her every night after work, she ate and he worked in the garage. By fall, she would even come into the garage out of the rain and sometimes in the house. Just inside the door to eat and then leave. She would have cute visits with my indoor kitty Joe (through a glass door), and even lovingly peed in the garage after eating with my husband. He built her a beautiful insulated home for the upcoming winter but she never took to it. About 2 weeks ago, she came late one cold night which was unusual for her to eat. We hadnt seen her for a couple days so we were so excited and opened the garage door slightly to let her in the warmth. Except this night she didnt leave, just huddled on the step. The next week the temps here would be dropping in the single digits, my husband closed the door. We kept her warm and fed for about 2 days and then got help from the local animal shelter to examine her or at least try. She was deemed feral because they couldnt handle her. They had to sedate her to test for HIV and leukemia, they found that she indeed was spayed but thought it odd because all of the local shelters tip the opposite ear. They dewormed her and gave her rabies vaccine and released her back to us. We have had her back now for a week. In a seperate room with all the luxuries..even though at first she seemed happy to see us, she is not coming around. I know, we need to be patient but it breaks my heart to see her unhappy. Any suggestions or feedback? I just do not hink she is feral, I feel like she was abandoned and the got rounded up with ferals in a TNR and has been alone since. She used a catbox with cat litter the first night we had her and her demeanor even changed as if she knew that by us giving her a catbox that meant she was staying. But that was before the vet visit trauma, now since she has been back she just hasnt warmed up to us at all.

September

A week is not long at all in terms of cats making adjustments.  She's been through a lot - between the visit to the vet, she's now in a place with lots of new sights, new sounds and  new smells.

Keep her in her room and keep her routine the same as possible.  Visit with her often - you can sit and read out loud to her.  It will help her get used to your voice and your presence.  Always move slowly and deliberately around her.  Talk to her in a baby voice - they hear higher tones better.

Remember she may never be a lap cat, though, as adjust your expectations accordingly.

You are doing the right thing.  Patience is key here.  She's a lucky kitty!

oh my word that video is beyond adorable 

Ondine said:

A week is not long at all in terms of cats making adjustments.  She's been through a lot - between the visit to the vet, she's now in a place with lots of new sights, new sounds and  new smells.

Keep her in her room and keep her routine the same as possible.  Visit with her often - you can sit and read out loud to her.  It will help her get used to your voice and your presence.  Always move slowly and deliberately around her.  Talk to her in a baby voice - they hear higher tones better.

Remember she may never be a lap cat, though, as adjust your expectations accordingly.

You are doing the right thing.  Patience is key here.  She's a lucky kitty!

Click to expand...

Thank you so much. I will keep the faith. I have plenty of time now at home...I myself will soon being having our daughter in a couple weeks. So I can see the winter as a quiet time for all of us.

Well, congratulations!  Two new family members and Joe, just in time to grow up together!

I do have another question. Joseph and her talk at night through her door. She meows and he meows and yowls loudly. He doesn't seem to be upset and she digs at the door. At first I thought he was scaring her. Even though during the summer months they seemed fond of each other with their little visits through the glass door. A couple times he would bolt after her wanting to play and she didnt like that at all. I read so much conflicting info regarding what their language is or means...??? I can't keep him from walking past the door as its only to the room where his catbox is.

It sounds like they are getting to know one another. The vocalizing sounds like they may recognize one another but are unsure about her being inside. She's "out of place," so to speak, and they each have to get used to the idea.

Rub one end of a towel on her and the other on him.  Put his end on her side of the door and hers on his side.  Feed them each a treat - they will associate good things with the smell of the other cat.

You can also secure a screen door on her room with tension rods.  This will let them see one another without being able to fight if they're still not sure about the situation.

from what i experienced its a really good sign. my two "door mates" now play and sleep together. keep at it! you're a great
momma!

Thank you so much! We have been making good strides. She even played with the "Friskies App" on my tablet the other night.

Update: I let her roam the common room in the basement closing all other doors but hers while I clean her box or when I visit. Last night during our visit I got tired and decided to lay down on my side on a large pillow I brought. She looked at me in amazement as if she was saying what the heck are you doing? She was about 4 ft away from me when she started rolling and rubbing against the floor and exposing her belly to me! I didnt respond except just smiled and gently blinked at her. Now tonight she just slept near me

Small steps turn into a journey home!   Thank you for sharing this wonderful news.

Thank you so much for your help!