Poor Pengy thread is gone

[ldg]

Originally Posted by rapunzel47

Michele, I wonder if perhaps that look of concern and contentment was "I was just getting used to feeling safe and you went away...I thought you'd left me...but you're home...it really is you. Good."

I always think the first time a critter experiences our extended absence and return is one of the critical building blocks in long-term trust. That she's settled into the pattern she was in when you went away, and done it that quickly, sounds pretty good to me. I'm glad for both of you.

My sentiments exactly!

 

[huggles]

Originally Posted by SnowLeop

I think of Pengy as a child who used to be abused -- so hard for such a one to ever show or feel affection comfortably. You've made incredible strides in making her feel cared for and loved.

well said!!

I have been away a while and I sooooo missed the pengy updates

to you Pengy

Sheesh, I always tear up when I read your posts!

glad i arent the only one!!!

 

[noni]

hi, all.

I've been really ill (gonna go see the Dr. today...), and haven't really been able to work with Pengy for about a week. I'd start to, and begin coughing or sneezing, and she'd panic. So I've let it go for a bit.

On the upside, Pengy really has readjusted to me being home. And like someone said, no real backsliding from me being gone. I haven't petted her since I've come home; there's a part of me that thinks maybe I pushed it a bit far before...and another part of me that says I didn't. Either way, I haven't done so since I've been home. She doesn't seem to "miss" it, either. Sigh. LOL.

Pengy has also claimed the rocking chair. I've been so ill this last week I've spent most of my time at home in bed, either feverish or trying to sleep (or both), and she seems really fine with me in the room and her in the rocker. It's only when I move too quickly, or pass her without turning my back to her, that she leaves the chair. She still loves the condo, both the tube part and the first level floor, and we've done some small feather wand playing. I've also sat on the rocker with her in the tube right next to me, with Simon or Pie in my lap. She is alert and prepared, but doesn't flee.

So it's a good thing, over all. If I could just beat this 'flu, we could go back to the treat-on-the-hand, but I just can't do that yet. Soon, but not today. And when I do, I think I'll use sardines again.

Best-
Michele

 

[pinkdaisy226]

I'm sorry you're still feeling sick but I'm glad that Pengy isn't backsliding!

Get better soon!

 

[valanhb]

Glad to hear that your going to the doctor today Michele. It's very good that things returned to staus quo after your trip so quickly.

 

[noni]

O.K., I'm not sure what this means. Frankly, I'm not sure it happened, either.

I've been pretty much ignoring her, because I've been quite sick. I will say hi when she pokes her head up, or when I'm cuddling a cat sleeping on the rocker. But I haven't tried to interact with her whatsoever.

I went to bed last night, medicated and ready to sleep. Esse was laying on my chest, Charlotte was in "her" spot at the foot of the bed, Pie was curled up on the clothes on my nightstand, and Simon was laying at the foot of my bed. I'm reading.

Simon lets out his "what?" meow, stands up, and looks down at the floor at the foot of the bed. I can't see what he's seeing, but what I do see is a flash of dark sliding away. I immediately figure it's Pie, because I see Charlotte sleeping on the other side of the foot of the bed. And then I remember: Pie is on the nightstand. I peek my head up and check - she's still there. I quickly do a headcount - everyone's where I left them.

So who could that be? Only one cat was not sleeping on the bed. Simon did meow his "what" sound; that's the sound he makes when he's curious as to what's going on, and has never made it without a reason for it. Had Simon not meowed, I would think I was hallucinating or as I drifted off, imagined something.

I did not get up to see where Pengy was. I did not even move; just laid there, pretending to read, wondering if what I think happened really did. After a while, I put the book down and went to sleep....

What I think happened is that Pengy came to the foot of the bed, put her front paws on the footboard, and sniffed Simon. I have a raised 4 poster, but she's big enough to be able to do that without a problem. She's also really quiet when she wants to be. All I saw was a dark patch disappearing, and Pengy was the only cat not accounted for; she also has a dark patch on her head.

I am not at all sure if this happened...something happened, but exactly what I'm not sure. But maybe she's starting to explore the bed when all the cats are there and I am there, too.

Dunno, but I'm rather happy. Your take on things?

Best-
Michele

 

[turtlecat]

Sounds like good news to me!!

Yay Pengy.. She's also proving what miss Hiss said about ignoring cats. It makes them infinitely curious.

 

[rapunzel47]

Sounds like good news to me. Sounds like it was Pengy, that her curiosity is getting the better of her, that the side of her that needs to be noticed is developing -- basically that she has ever so quietly taken another step forward. I'll be most interested in further developments.

 

[snowleop]

Originally Posted by rapunzel47

Sounds like good news to me. Sounds like it was Pengy, that her curiosity is getting the better of her, that the side of her that needs to be noticed is developing -- basically that she has ever so quietly taken another step forward. I'll be most interested in further developments.

 

[noni]

There is a part of me that swears it didn't happen...but I know I heard Simon, I know I saw something dark disappear...and the only one it could've been was Pengy, because if it were a rat or a raccoon, no-one would be relaxed in bed. Especially not me!

I guess I'm just having a hard time believing it, you know? But if it happened (and I know it did), then she really has taken that quiet step forward...I wonder if she's done this before, and if she'll do it again.

This gives going to bed a whole new adventure!

Best-
Michele

 

[huggles]

Originally Posted by rapunzel47

Sounds like good news to me. Sounds like it was Pengy, that her curiosity is getting the better of her, that the side of her that needs to be noticed is developing -- basically that she has ever so quietly taken another step forward. I'll be most interested in further developments.

I agree with Fran!!

what a great development Michele

cant wait until you go to bed again to hear of any further developments - now go to bed would ya

 

[wellingtoncats]

wow she has come so far! it will be so good when she jumps up on your bed!

 

[valanhb]

Just be sure not to have a heart attack when she does jump on the bed for the first time!

 

[captiva]

That's wonderful news! Your little shadow kitty! She is such a special girl and you are such a special mom!

 

[noni]

I dunno about me being special, but she sure is.

And I noticed nothing unusual about last night's bedtime routine, either...so maybe this was a one time, or not so often, thing.

Wouldn't it be a blast to have her jump up onto the bed? I've been doing all I can to deliberately let her see me interact with the others...snuggling, hand feeding, playing, loving...she really does watch us, but hasn't taken that humongous step yet.

Still, she's made so much progress from the wild, spitting, terrified, scratching cat I brought into my home March 5 2004. So much progress.

Best-
Michele

 

[noni]

O.K., so she seems to be moving forward again.

When I came in from work yesterday, I saw her in a new position on the rocker. By new, I mean she was leaning against the back of the chair, hind legs sprawled apart, completely relaxed, belly completely exposed and she was grooming herself. She saw me and stopped grooming, but didn't change position. I didn't go into the room for a while, and when I did, she had gone back into her tube. But that was a huge thing, to have her not move much at all, especially when she's got her belly exposed.

Next to the kitty condo, I have a tri-level wooden bakers' rack. I haven't got anywhere else to put it, which is why it's in the bedroom...anyway, I've seen her eye-ing it in the past...all the other cats love to climb on it and play on it, and then they step off to the closest level on the condo, and play over there. They even leap off the top level and land on the bed. It's definitely something they like. And Pengy's watched them do that for months. Sometimes she'll get on top of "her" tube, and sniff at the baker's rack, and I've often thought she's wanted to give it a try, but hadn't either the courage or the confidence to step over. It's not an easy reach for her, as handicapped as she is.

So last night, reading again, Simon and Esse cuddled up on me, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. I figure it's Pie, who loves to climb onto the rack...and so I sorta ignore it. But movement keeps happening, I keep getting distracted from my book, so I peek over the edge. It's Pengy, on the middle level of the rack. All the way on the side farthest from the condo. I've got some toys up there for the cats; a feather wand, a dangly toy for them to bat, and some stuffed toys, too.

And so as I watch, Pengy involves herself in the dangly toy...she bats at it, bites at it, and just plays. It is sooo nice to watch her play...I remember when she couldn't play; she didn't know how, she hadn't realized she could let down her walls to play. And so I watch, gently, out of the corner of my eye. She moves from the dangly toy to the feather wand, and thumps it around for a bit. And then she starts rubbing her face on the other toys, just rubbing and rubbing. It looks like she's marking them, I guess...I put down the book, and roll over to watch her. I'm still keeping "hidden" so she doesn't realize I'm watching, and I see her start to really just look at what's going on on the bed. Simon's grooming himself; Esse is purring and kneading and licking my hand, and she's really taking this all in. She's got the best view, too...she can see it all.

And this goes on for a while...probably 15 minutes or so. My hand hurts like anything this morning from the grooming Esse gave it, but still, it was a small price to pay. Pengy watches, and I can see her considering things. Her eyes roam from my face down to my toes, and back again. She is really thinking about things, turning things over in her mind.

Finally she turns, stretches, bats the dangly toy again, and casually walks back to the edge next to the condo. She tentatively streches her paw out, reaches the condo, and goes back into her tube. That's when I turned off the light, and smiled.

I can't tell you how surprised I was to see her there; surprised and thrilled no end.

Just thought I'd share...

Best-
Michele

 

[pinkdaisy226]

Yay! That sounds great... especially the way she was sitting on the chair at first! I'm so happy for all of you!

 

[rapunzel47]

That's terrific, Michele -- especially the not covering her exposed tummy.

 

[valanhb]

Pengy sure is being a brave little girl!

Exploring new places, claiming toys as hers, being exposed like that when the big human comes by.... Wow, she deserves a medal!

 

[mamacat]

Go Pengy, go Pengy!

This sounds like great progress Michele!