my first step towards becoming a crazy cat lady

[kellinator]

I've been seriously thinking about getting a cat for a while. Though I'd been very taken with some kittens, after doing some research, I felt an adult cat that didn't mind being alone during the day would be the best bet, since I only had room for one. I looked at the listings on petfinder.com and found this cat named Heidi whose description sounded perfect for me, and whose picture I though was just really extraordinarily precious. Look at those eyes!

I met up with Heidi and her foster mom Wednesday night at a Petsmart. The foster mom had warned me that Heidi was shy and might not respond so much at first. Heidi was pregnant when the rescue people got her about two and a half years ago. Her kittens all got adopted, but she's been in foster care ever since. She's never had much space or a person of her own. The foster mom was talking about how Heidi and cats like her that aren't spectacular get overlooked in rescue work, and I'm sitting there petting this little cat that isn't responding to me at all and thinking, man, I'd kind of like a gorgeous kitty with a great personality.

But there she was. And I couldn't just leave her there. I know what it's like to be overlooked for being plain. The foster mom convinced me to take her home for a couple of weeks and see how it went. A hundred-dollar adoption fee and another hundred bucks of supplies later, I was on my way down 85, wondering exactly what the hell I had just gotten myself into.

Once I got Heidi inside, she immediately started looking for places to hide. In fact, she hid so well that I couldn't find her. I waited, and after a little while she came out, and I noticed all over again how cute she was. She let me comb her, and after a couple of hours she was comfortable enough to plop over and let me rub her belly. Foster mom was very impressed when I informed her over email.

So far, it's slow going. Heidi's really very timid -- loud noises startle her and send her running, and right now, everything seems to be a loud noise. I suspect she forgets who I am every time I leave the house. She did okay when she met my landlady yesterday, but is terrified by the barking of her dog (never mind that the dog is a Jack Russell not much bigger than her, Heidi doesn't know that). She's shown no interest in treats (I suppose I'll try tuna next) and very little in food. She's not shown much interest in most of her toys, but she played enthusiastically with the fishing pole with feathers last night. She REALLY likes catnip. She hid her catnip hedgehog the first night and I haven't seen it since. I think catnip is behind her weird running-across-the-apartment fits. Great. I have a stoner kitty.

But despite all my worrying, this morning I was woken not by the usual obnoxious alarm clock, but a soft nuzzle on the back of my neck. I think Heidi and I might do okay after all.

In the meantime, does anyone who's adopted a shy adult cat have any advice for me?

Comments

[ariedana.livejournal.com]

xanadumalion's cat, Miss Stinky, was very shy. I remember visiting their house the first time and meeting Tiger, but only seeing a gray streak flying under the bed, which was stinky. When she and Tiger stayed with me the first time, I really didn't see her for two weeks (she was very spooked by the Terror Twins.) She eventually let me pet her occasionally by the time X'ana came back. Then the second time, she still hid most of the time and wasn't fond of the Twins, but she'd come out to get nuzzled or get treats. Then when Tiger died, I guess she thought that I would be her companion, so she started being very open and loving. You saw how she was when you visited - she really grew to love people. I think that when I am able to pay the fee to get my cats back, she'll be the one I have come stay with me the most, because she seemed to be kind of lonely and loss in my parents' big ol' house and was the happiest to see me when I visited last weekend.

Anyway, I can guarantee that Heidi will come around. Right now she's getting used to things, but she'll see that you're the person who comes home and feeds her and rubs her. It means a lot to be someone's favorite creature. And as far as the treats - if you haven't tried the moist ones yet, my cats universally loved them. I got the Friskies cans. Also, as far as toys, another winner is the multicolored felt mice. Also, go get one of those laser pointer keychains. I think you've seen how my cats went for that, and they're handy if you need to get her out of the room for some reason. ;)

[m0usegrrl.livejournal.com]

yup, seconded and all that. when i first got Miss Thang, she and Tiger were almost a year old. she hid for TWO MONTHS -- mostly under my bed when people were around. i'd just talk to her and give her treats, and one day i caught her sleeping on my bed. she hid, of course, but it wasn't too long after that when she wouldn't run, and one evening while sitting on the bed watching telly, i felt a warm furry lump at my back; she had curled up next to me.

['scuse me while i sniffle. i miss my little girlcat.]

anyway, yeh. time and patience. it's already a great sign that she lets you fuss her tummy and nuzzled you awake. you'll have your own furry little lap fungus in no time. ^___^