Ok, sorry it took me so long to get back.
So let me tell you about this particular cat. His name is Midnight, and we'd been feeding, taking care of him (we'd also built him a large shelter with a cat heating pad and blankets) for about 6months. My daughter and I got to pet him, love him, and even pick him up on our laps for a little bit fore he'd jump back down. I was able to get him (not so easily) into a small car carrier, and took him to my vet about 1 1/2 month fore I left. The reason, was he needed to be fixed. I knew he was still semi-feral, but I couldn't bare the thought of spreading the love, and help producing more kittens in the neighborhood.
So, while I warned the vet he was semi-feral, she still let him out of the carrier to do a check up/blood work. Said she was 'impressed'. Never saw a rodeo cat before. That he'd run them all in circles (I
did warn her), and then even ran straight up the wall a good 6', before coming back down. They finally sedated him, then did the bloodwork, tests, and neutered (or spayed. I always get them confused). Anyhow, after a week of being in an extra large dog kennel for a week inside, I released him back out again. I
should have kept him. It took me 3 days of trying to get him, and using the drop trap. I sat for about four hours waiting. Think, Wylie Coyote and Road Runner, with those stupid traps ACME traps where he pulls the stick, and the box falls on him. Same idea. He was scared stiff! Freaked out, but we managed to get him then into that big dog kennel. There was no time for him in that old house, as we literally moved out in about 7-8hrs later. He was then loaded into my Armada in the back, and how he spent almost the whole trip. It took us over a week to travel (1 moving truck pulling my son's truck), me driving another car, and my son driving my Armada. Why it took so long. Huge caravan, and moving truck was SLOW! Some nights we would bring him into the hotel
in the kennel. We'd put it in the bathroom, so he'd have his peace from the others, and quiet time. Others, when it was cool outside, we'd leave the windows open enough. Else, the whole trip he was in a darkly tinted truck with AC. He was pretty quiet. Only talking occasionally.
We spent 3 weeks in a motel when after traveling just over 3,000miles, where we had 3 rooms (lots of cats:/) and left his kennel open in one of the bathrooms. Had food and water and a fan with a light on all the time. He was scared at a first, but after a while remained outside of the kennel and would let us love him more and more. My daughter and I that is. Now? We've been in an apartment that's quiet large. He remains in my bedroom now. At first, I left the kennel in the large walk-in closet, and kept the doors to it open. More and more, he'd come out. Then at one point he started to remain out of it permanently, and would hide/sleep under all my dresses. I have long, ankle dresses and skirts, so he'd hide between them and apparently felt safe like that. After maybe 2 weeks of life in closet, he'd start coming out just a little after everyone was in bed and lights off. I'd hear him meowing in his little voice. Then more and more, he'd come out. By the fourth or fifth week, after a lot of work on my husband and son's behalf, he let them pet him finally and wouldn't run from them. They had to go in a few times a day to just sit with him gently and pet him once or twice on the head. Now everyone in the family can pet him easily.
Since, we've brought out this giant 7' cat tree into our room my husband made back East. Now, he loves sleeping in that! There are 6 levels to it, and little side things to it. He just loves it! Every night he comes alive. Of course, where we're trying to sleep. He'll jump down once my kids are done coming through, and husband's asleep. I'll be sitting up reading in bed with a small light, and he runs all over the place. Then prowls around talking. His favorite toy? Any string, but mostly feathers. I love collecting bird feathers, which has turned out to be a great habit for him. I wash them first, and keep them bagged for a few days to make sure no bugs. Then he gets them.
And just this week? He's started getting 'physical' with us. When he's sick of us petting him? He'll wrap both of his front paws around your arm, and start play biting at your hand/fingers. Then with his back paws, he starts kicking at your arm. The back claws aren't painful. I sit there and laugh! But his front, hanging onto you, can hurt. But I've warned everyone to SUCK IT UP! To yell at him, he'd freak, and I don't want to take a step back with him.
He's doing so good though! He's such a wonderful cat! We always knew that. But it's great to see him have come out and see him doing so well now. We've been here in the apartment for about 2 months now. So it wasn't an overnight thing. Just remember to be super patient. My little man? He'd been through a LOT.
The vet told me so when I picked him up. Said his body was covered in scars/battle wounds. That he was about 7yrs old, and had no fang teeth. She asked if I knew. I was like...No. Not like he smiles for me. I had no clue!
So, in learning that, I knew I'd never leave him behind. He'd had such a hard life. And I've committed myself to making the rest of his a good one. I think I'm performing that now for him. He's a great cat, and we all love him so truly. It was so worth everything.
I have to say, depending on yours disposition? Be CAREFUL when feeding, watering, and changing the cat litter during your move. If you're doing a quick move; unlike ours? Then this will be so much easier. Ours was really long lasting. And whenever we had to take care of him, I would get in the truck, close it up entirely behind me. Then I'd open one of the kennel doors just enough to get in there, and do what's needed, close the doors again, and be done with that for the next many hours. I feed twice a day, so that was about it. I also took 2 others (one just a scaredy-cat,the other an outside, but friendly cat) that I had to do pretty much the same thing with in kennels. I learned to make a cup water filler. So every time they needed more water (I didn't fill full, because of all the bumping around), I didn't have to open the cage. Just fit it between the kennel bars. It wasn't the easiest. But he really was pretty good during the whole trip. We're going to be moving
yet again within a few months. I'm hoping with putting him in my room once again, that he will be ok. It'll be a slight step back I'm sure. But it should be ok. If he ever wants to be out with the rest of my cats, he'll be more than welcome. Currently, he's only exposed to two others. One gets locked up at night, the other was the other outside cat and doesn't bother him.
I was actually crying the night before. Thinking he was going to have to be left behind. My husband found me crying in the bathroom, and I said "We're starting over out West, but are family won't be complete without him.
It was a great thing. If you can find the drop trap (the rescue provided this for me) and catch your sweetie? You won't regret it. And after it's all over? Neither will your cat. Midnight's a very happy, sweet love. And he adores his lovin'.
Please keep me updated on how it all goes!
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