Poor Pengy thread is gone

[noni]

when you think of where she came from (surely, an environment where she never encountered love) these gestures are miraculous. (good tears)

Oh I agree wholeheartedly, Colleen. She is doing her best to show me love, and is definitely communicating it. I am loving watching her progress and interact like she is. And it completely boggles me that she doesn't flee from my houseguest. I think that is a pretty big step in and of itself. My guest is completely aware of Pengy's history, and has been very very wonderfully considerate, but still...for Pengy to not be hibernating or have slipped back is just wonderful. Shows me she's pretty confident about her house and her place in her house.

She's such a cool cat.

Best-
Michele

 

[wellingtoncats]

Aw how wonderful to hear, Michele.

 

[elizwithcat]

Originally Posted by noni

Oh I agree wholeheartedly, Colleen. She is doing her best to show me love, and is definitely communicating it. I am loving watching her progress and interact like she is. And it completely boggles me that she doesn't flee from my houseguest. I think that is a pretty big step in and of itself. My guest is completely aware of Pengy's history, and has been very very wonderfully considerate, but still...for Pengy to not be hibernating or have slipped back is just wonderful. Shows me she's pretty confident about her house and her place in her house.

She's such a cool cat.

Best-
Michele

Yes, it is amazing. My poor Scaredy is terrified of houseguests. In fact that's why he got cystitis-he spend a week under the bed because of the houseguest.
I have no idea why he is that way, because unlike Pengy, Scaredy was never abused by anyone.

 

[huggles]

 

[noni]

I sit here, typing, in the living room. Pengy is about 4 feet from me, with a very relaxed and mellow attitude. Ears alert, but laying on her belly with her paws in front of her. I've gotten up, gone to the kitchen, and come back...and there she stayed. My houseguest got up, did something to the oscillating fan so it doesn't rotate, and laid back down on the camp cot. Pengy hasn't moved, not an inch, not a flinch. I am so tempted to find a cat toy wand and play, but I think if I just pretend to ignore her, she'll get more used to the front room...with me and my guest in it. AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And her eyes are not even wide. She and I were doing the slow blink thing at each other, but I didn't do it too much; I didn't want to scare her.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

Best-
Michele

 

[hissy]

I have tears in my eyes Michele- both of you have come a very long way. I am so proud of you!

 

[snowleop]

Originally Posted by noni

I sit here, typing, in the living room. Pengy is about 4 feet from me, with a very relaxed and mellow attitude. Ears alert, but laying on her belly with her paws in front of her. I've gotten up, gone to the kitchen, and come back...and there she stayed. My houseguest got up, did something to the oscillating fan so it doesn't rotate, and laid back down on the camp cot. Pengy hasn't moved, not an inch, not a flinch. I am so tempted to find a cat toy wand and play, but I think if I just pretend to ignore her, she'll get more used to the front room...with me and my guest in it. AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And her eyes are not even wide. She and I were doing the slow blink thing at each other, but I didn't do it too much; I didn't want to scare her.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

Best-
Michele

I think it's amazing, too, that she's so laid back with a houseguest around. My cat, Molly, who doesn't have a tenth of the traumatic history that Pengy does, is nowhere near that comfortable with guests. Molly is terrified of anything larger than herself which moves. For example, she'll hiss at me when I'm carrying a laundry basket!

I think that everything you have done for Pengy has made her grow to trust you more than you may ever realize. Where she is now is testament to how remarkable a cat she is, and how remarkable a human being you are.

P.S. I love any little anecdote or story about Pengy, so please keep 'em coming!!

 

[turtlecat]

oh wow she's doing so well!!!

I'm so happy to hear her progress.. *hugs* keep us posted!

 

[noni]

The Saga Of The Open Door.

Pengy wants to get to the open front door. It's cool, it's got a view...and it's very popular. On top of Esse, Charlotte and Simon crowding the door (and how cool can it be, at that point?), there are obstacles in negotiating the living room. Namely, my houseguest and I.

My guest stays on her cot, either sitting there or laying down, most of the time. I'm either on the sofa or at the computer. Either way, Pengy has to pass between me and my guest to reach the door.

And so she sits. At the far side of the room, she sits. She sits and considers her options. And creeps, inch by slow inch, to her limit. Resting from that, she will remain there sometimes as long as 20 minutes before getting spooked and retreating. But shortly - within 5 minutes, usually, she redetermines that the path is safe...and creeps out again, farther this time.

Repeat process, until the other cats are away from the door, and Pengy has a clear path and the nerve to cross it.

TO THE DOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She sits and considers the outside world. I wonder if she's recalling her life out there. She watches leaves skitter across the lawn, and ponders her lot in life. She looks out, but does not make any attempt to open the door, or to push against the screen.

She's made it to the door, negotiating all the difficulties of my house and her cat family. And I've watched the other cats; all seem to treat her with amazing respect, understanding her concerns and disabilities, allowing her space to be herself.

My girl has come so far, and it's so amazing to watch her gather her courage and come out more and more. It's just amazing. (And don't forget to go see her photo in the picture forum....)

Best-
Michele

 

[turtlecat]

Awww I love hearing about Pengy's Progress

 

[rapunzel47]

Another new frontier.

That's great.

 

[francoise]

Michele, I have been following Pengy's saga, so it was amazing to see the pic of that sweet little being in the Pictures forum. I'd love more pics! She is so precious and I have no doubt that in time she will show you a lot of affection and maybe soon, the long awaited headbutt!

That will happen.

Take care,
Françoise

 

[noni]

I had a dream last night. Penguin came to me, and looked up at me, and made a wee noise. I reached down, and stroked her head. Her fur was so silky and smooth. I picked her up, and she curled up in my arms, happy and content, purring. Her purr was loud and perfect.

It was only a dream, but oh! if it were real. OH!

Francoise, thanks for looking. She is a dear one, that cat. A dear one.

Best-
Michele

 

[valanhb]

Originally Posted by noni

I had a dream last night. Penguin came to me, and looked up at me, and made a wee noise. I reached down, and stroked her head. Her fur was so silky and smooth. I picked her up, and she curled up in my arms, happy and content, purring. Her purr was loud and perfect.

It was only a dream, but oh! if it were real. OH!

Francoise, thanks for looking. She is a dear one, that cat. A dear one.

Best-
Michele

It may take a long time...but I think your dream is a prelude of things to come.

Look at how far she's come since you brought her inside!!!

 

[noni]

Look at how far she's come since you brought her inside!!!

No kidding.

And it almost happened last night. I was sitting in my computer chair, rubbing and scritching on Esse. Esse was just rumbling with delight, and absolutely in heaven. And Pengy was about 4 feet away and watching, completely absorbed in the moment.

And then she crept closer, and closer. I kept it up with Esse, and Esse's purr was loud and constant. Pengy got closer and closer, and is now all of 1 foot away from my hand on Esse's chin. I kept rubbing, but changed hands, and extended my free hand toward Pengy. Not very far, and not aggressively. Just there. I didn't look her way, and I didn't move my body at all.

Pengy sat there for a full 3 minutes, maybe longer (long enough for my arm to start hurting), and debated with herself about approaching closer. She didn't, but she stayed there for a long while, even after I retracted my arm. Do you know how hard it is to hold your arm out, scratching with the other, with tears running down your face?

My houseguest watched the whole thing, and swears that if Pengy could've figured out how to get around something and still be sure she could get away if needed, contact would've happened last night. She swears that "Pengy wanted some of that, but just wasn't positive nothing bad would happen."

And yet another huge step in Pengy's life. She's hidden most of the day which is normal; after a few days of adventure like these last few, she takes a bit of time to regroup and gather her courage again.

She's close...and I can't wait.

Best-
Michele

 

[rapunzel47]

Awesome! Can't wait!

 

[huggles]

Originally Posted by rapunzel47

Awesome! Can't wait!

ditto that!!

just love the updates again Michele - so glad that you & Pengy are back with us (and the rest of your crew of course)

stay brave Pengy - we are all here thinking of you

 

[noni]

O.K., and the progress grows...

Pengy has switched from Simon being the ambassador to Esse being the ambassador, which I think is adorable. She follows Esse around, and Esse sleeps next to (not with, just next to) Pengy on the trunk in the bedroom. It's so very cute...

Over the last few days, I've needed the reassurance of lovin' on my kitties...so they've been getting a ton of petting and scritches. As I was lovin on Esse this morning, I noticed Pengy creeping up to watch. Esse got so much love I thought she was gonna rupture just from rumbling, but I wasn't going to stop until Pengy stopped watching/wishing. Just as I thought that Pengy was going to walk away (she had stood up...), she approached me and Esse, and while I was stroking Esse's head, Pengy reached out her nose and touched it with Esse. it was a very quick moment, but it was there, none the less. I didn't reach for her (Hissy, that was a hard fight...but I did it!!! LOL), but let her sniff Esse and be near Esse while she was just loving getting stroked.

I figured that was going to be the extent of it...but just now, as I was sitting on the floor lovin' on Esse and playing with her, Pengy came out and was close - maybe a foot off my arm. I said "hi, pretty girl" and just kept on loving Esse. I didn't make direct eye contact, and wasn't too hopeful that approach would occur twice in one day.

And I was wrong.

It was almost as if Pengy was saying "now or never" to herself...she got up really quickly (for her) and approached Esse (again, quickly for her). I just kept on doing what I was doing, no changes, and Esse looked over at pengy...and they touched noses. And while I was lovin' on Esse, Esse was grooming Pengy's ears. And this continued for a good minute, too. Again, no movement towards Pengy, despite how much I wanted to...none at all.

I think that today is the first time I'm actually thinking that maybe - just maybe - it will be sooner rather than later that Pengy will approach my hand...not a headbutt, I don't think, but more of a sneak pet while I'm lovin on one of the cats.

She has the most interesting expression when she's doing this, too...not scared, not frightened, no ears pinned back, no body language of uncomfortability. It's one of curiousity, pure and simple. She wants to know what's going on, and why Esse is purring like that. She really wants to know. She's calmed down so much these last few months; I never thought that moving her food into the kitchen was going to be the icebreaker with me...never in a million years. I have come to the conclusion that Pie is the more skittish cat of all of my gang, not Pengy...Pengy's scared of things, but she has more courage than Pie to be sure...Pengy will not even leave the room while Pie will flee at an unexpected noise. It's fascinating, and definitely something I never thought I'd see.

She's close...she wants to know. My hands are literally an inch from her face when she approaches Esse. Does anyone know if cats give off an "oh man this is good" scent when they're being loved on? Cause maybe that's what Pengy is testing out.

Just thought I'd find a good thing to post today...what with the rest of everything going on...

Best-
Noni

 

[hissy]

And as Martha Stewart says- "It's a good thing, it's a very good thing!"

Yay Pengy, what strides she is making!

 

[wellingtoncats]

Oh that's so sweet!