Need the power of the board!

[momofmany]

It's been close to 2 weeks now that the mom (Marilyn) & daughter (Rita) feral girls were relocated to my house. They were trapped and relocated, as the city where they came from was trapping and killing all stray and feral cats. Due to an inexperienced rescue worker, these babies were kept in a live trap in a garage for 6 weeks before coming here. My adjustment period is critical, as their previous experience primes them for bolting when they are released at my house.

Rita (9 months) is adjusting much better than Marilyn (6 years). She comes out of her safe hiding place in the cat den in the garage, and spends a lot of time in the cage out in the lawn (there is a tunnel that connects the 2 areas). When I brought her food this evening, she reached out her paw and batted at me (claws in). WOW - never got so excited by being batted by a cat before! Poor Marilyn hides deep in her safe spot and I've never seen a full view of her in 2 weeks.

So.....as I start considering their release period (it may be another week or longer depending on how Marilyn responds), can I ask for some good old board magic for these 2 girls? They didn't deserve the life they came from, didn't deserve the 6 weeks in a trap, and now face a new world in front of them. They are still terrified, and if they trust me enough to stick around, they'll get as much as they want and need from me.

I need some "don't be scared and please stick around" vibes for these poor little girls!

 

[cassandra_starr]

Wow, I'm definitely gonna pray hard for these two girls, you're the best thing to happen to them and I hope they realize that you're there to just love them and help care for them, NOT hurt them. Poor babies.

 

[ldg]

You sure do! Oh those poor, poor babies! I am sending as many vibes your way as I can! Please keep us posted!

 

[tnr1]

Awww..sending "don't be scared" vibes.

Katie

 

[lotsocats]

What a sad story!

I am so glad you are giving them a safe new home. I am sending strong vibes their way for them to be brave and to stick around.

 

[cilla]

Lots of good vibes coing over. You will get the board magic you need.

 

[valanhb]

Adding my positive energy for Marilyn and Rita!

 

[momofmany]

Thank you all! Here is Rita in the small kennel in the yard. I saw her out in it a couple of times today, and she was waiting for me in it for her 7PM canned food feeding. I have strong hopes for Rita but am terrified for Marilyn.

 

[kittenkiya]

I know that you are already doing this, but when my ferals are around, I call them by their names and just talk very softly to them. I tell them that they are just beautiful, that they are safe and that they will always have food and water. They know the sound of my voice and sometimes will stop, groom themselves and look at me. Use your voice to convey a sense of calm and peacefulness. Many, many good vibes heading your way to you and your babies.

 

[jugen]

Sending the calming vibes for you. I hope everything works out for you and those poor kitties. I'm so glad they ended up with someone that cares, not with someone like the last person they were with.

 

[momofmany]

Originally Posted by KittenKiya

I know that you are already doing this, but when my ferals are around, I call them by their names and just talk very softly to them. I tell them that they are just beautiful, that they are safe and that they will always have food and water. They know the sound of my voice and sometimes will stop, groom themselves and look at me. Use your voice to convey a sense of calm and peacefulness. Many, many good vibes heading your way to you and your babies.

That is just what I do! Some of my other resident ferals trust me enough to follow me around the yard when I walk my puppies. Others will stop and groom. The best that I've gotten from Rita are eye blinks. Marilyn just stares wide eyed in fear.

But there are very subtle signs that they are being to accept their new home. Lucky (a resident) came up to the cage last night and gave Rita a nose sniff - he was more hesitant than she was but the introductions are occurring. Marilyn was out of her safe place when I went to feed them tonight and instead of an immediate bolt, she stood there and stared at me for a minute (then bolted). OMG progress will be in such small steps!

 

[bossinova]

Ah ha! But there IS progress! You are doing a wonderful thing, and if you are ever in need of inspiration, check out the sticky on the ferals column, The Story of Lucky. There is hope!!!!
Good for you for giving these lovely animals a chance. People like you never cease to amaze me....

 

[rapunzel47]

Lotsa calming "don't be afraid" vibes coming your way.

 

[momofmany]

Originally Posted by bossinova

Ah ha! But there IS progress! You are doing a wonderful thing, and if you are ever in need of inspiration, check out the sticky on the ferals column, The Story of Lucky. There is hope!!!!
Good for you for giving these lovely animals a chance. People like you never cease to amaze me....

Read the story of Lucky. My hope for these two is that they live there lives out comfortably in the country. I think that Rita is young enough to bond with me enough to follow me around like my Lucky does. I will be happy if Marilyn comes up to the feeding station when I'm around - she is seriously feral. If I get any more trust from them, it is all bonus.

 

[cassandra_starr]

Awww, it's amazing how the smallest gestures like the "Staring at your for a minute and THEN bolting" instead of just bolting immediately can make you smile and cheer. I pray Marilyn comes around, and it sounds like you're gonna turn Rita into a lover!!


Good luck, and I can't wait to hear of more progress!

 

[dawnofsierra]

More prayers for Marilyn and Rita! Thank you for saving these sweet girls!

 

[momofmany]

Marilyn made progress this week. She went out to the yard kennel and I sat down and had a nice talk with her. At first she gave me the wild eyed stare, then settled down and actually looked away and was blinking her eyes as I talked to her.

Lucky is nose sniffing them regularly, and the new tuxie boy was hanging out by them last night (I have to get him trapped ASAP). I think the existing colony is going to accept them!

Rita is ready for release. I'm not 100% sure about Marilyn but I don't think I will ever be. The plan was to release them this evening, but with all the rain this week, we couldn't get to mow the lawn and it is desparately long and in need of a mow. We have to get it done before we release them - don't want the loud noise to scare them. We are also supposed to have severe thunder storms on and off this weekend, so not sure about releasing them with a bad storm around.

So, we need to get over the storms and get the lawn mowed and I will open the cage door for them. I also want to trap the tuxie boy before I release them so that I don't accidently get one of them and give them a serious scare again!

 

[kumbulu]

Amy, what a wonderful thing you are doing for these two little girls.

Great news about Marilyn too.

 

[momofmany]

The storms are over for a few days, the lawn is mowed so tonight I went out and opened up the cage door to the garage. They are free to roam. I'm biting my fingers worrying about them.

Final vibes anyone! Tonight and the next few days will be telling......

 

[rapunzel47]

Lotsa vibes, Amy! Hope everything goes well.