Some background to put this in perspective: When we first moved here about 11-1/2 years ago, a red/white female showed up one day with a kitten (Indie), dropped her off and left. A few months later, she showed up with 2 kittens (Blackie and Tan Foot) and left. A few months after that, she showed up with Larry and 2 siblings. Of these original cats, Blackie was the only one that alluded our capture and all of the cats were caught and speutered at a young age.
We lost Tan Foot last summer and it's been about 2 weeks ago that we lost Blackie. Indie and Larry are still part of the colony. Larry has also lived here for nearly 11 years and never once in that entire time has he willingly allowed us to touch him. He is the typical feral that keeps his distance from the feeding station until the bowls are full and you have walked away.
I know that Blackie had a strong personality, and typically smacked anyone that came close to her. Since her death, Larry has not only jumped up on the feeding platform when I'm filling the bowls, but he has allowed me to touch him and this morning I was able to get in full head to tail body strokes. He sees me doing it, tenses a little bit, but doesn't run off.
This totally amazes me, that after 11 years, a feral cat who would never allow even a single touch turns around after the death of one of the colony. Was Blackie such a strong, negative influence that she had others in the colony scared? Were others simply taking her lead of being skittish? If Larry starts purring I'm going to faint on the spot.
And Lucky Pierre, who was coming around pretty well in the last year anyway, now wants to come inside the house. Husband agreed (we go by family decisions here) that if he tries, to just let him and keep an eye on everyone.
But what's up with Larry????
We lost Tan Foot last summer and it's been about 2 weeks ago that we lost Blackie. Indie and Larry are still part of the colony. Larry has also lived here for nearly 11 years and never once in that entire time has he willingly allowed us to touch him. He is the typical feral that keeps his distance from the feeding station until the bowls are full and you have walked away.
I know that Blackie had a strong personality, and typically smacked anyone that came close to her. Since her death, Larry has not only jumped up on the feeding platform when I'm filling the bowls, but he has allowed me to touch him and this morning I was able to get in full head to tail body strokes. He sees me doing it, tenses a little bit, but doesn't run off.
This totally amazes me, that after 11 years, a feral cat who would never allow even a single touch turns around after the death of one of the colony. Was Blackie such a strong, negative influence that she had others in the colony scared? Were others simply taking her lead of being skittish? If Larry starts purring I'm going to faint on the spot.
And Lucky Pierre, who was coming around pretty well in the last year anyway, now wants to come inside the house. Husband agreed (we go by family decisions here) that if he tries, to just let him and keep an eye on everyone.
But what's up with Larry????
