MAJOR BREAKTHRU!!! I just tried tossing him a few kibbles, and he hungrily went after them, so I got a couple more, and he went for them. I tossed them one at a time, closer and closer to me. AND HE WALKED UP TO ME, and let me pet him! I picked him up and carried him into the bathroom, closing the cat room door. I held him for about 15 minutes, and then he wanted down. Bug was at the door crying his eyes out at the closed door, but when I came out it was no big deal. He has food and a clean litter box-2 clean litter boxes, and I will leave him there for a while. ! am so happy. It is a start.
19 Likes
Great job! You know, speaking of toys, one gadget that I have found very useful with shy and feral cats is a lunging whip. Enough distance from you that many of them will consider a game out there on the end.
7 Likes
today was better. I tossed him a bit of kibble, and he came over to me, and let me pet him. He smiled a big smile, and let me pet his head. I picked him up and carried him to the living room. We sat down and he was very happy, but not purring. He stayed for a while and then jumped down. Just now I fed him and he let me pet him while he ate. He still sheds a lot. Terrible amount. I have never seen a cat shed so much. But he is letting me get closer. Bug is still being a jerk. I left him out when I went to my niece’s tonight. Tater is much better when not having to dodge Bugaboo.
12 Likes
another major update! Last night, he jumped up onto the top of the chair I was sitting in. I petted him and pulled him down and he sat on my lap for a long time. This morning, he jumped up on my lap and he is still here. He will probably always be a bit jumpy but he is here!
29 Likes
Great progress!
A local rescue promotes the 3/3/3 method of expectations when you adopt a cat, not specifically spooky cats but just cats in general. After 3 days, they still are not sure what the new system will hold. After 3 weeks, they are starting to accept that maybe they actually live here now. After 3 months, they are settled into home, and the true personality comes out.
Of course, then there are ones like HRH Rosalind. This is Rosalind, age 10 weeks, on her very first day home. Rosalind never had a shy day in her life. I had her in the bedroom and was sweet talking her, and Chiam the calico came into the room to sniff, not threatening at all or upset (look at the tails). Rosalind jumped down, arched, and commenced several of her truly spectacular sound effects, stopping the bigger cat up short. From day 1, Rosalind was queen of the household.
10 Likes
Yay! God he’s cute. It’s all going to work out after all. Lucky you Tater.
2 Likes
Once more… He is turning into a velcro cat! He has jumped on me several times and sits quite a while. He is very still. He even purred for a bit.
17 Likes
Yay! He’s getting there! Is everyone peeing in the correct place?
1 Like
I haven’t seen anything out of the boxes, so fingers crossed…
3 Likes
Such great updates! He came around faster than I thought he would!
2 Likes
Great Progress!
Sounds like Tater is getting comfortable both with you & his new digs.
Other cats & him will eventually work out the New Normal 
2 Likes
I’ve been following this, saying to myself, “Give him time, give him time,” and there you have it! I’m very happy for both of you.
2 Likes
He isn’t doing well with Bug. He is coming around, he likes sitting on my lap, but he sort of sneaks onto my lap, not a direct, ‘I’m comin’ up’ sort of leap. He was on my lap earlier this morning, then the two of them scrapped a bit, and he is now on the sofa. He has been there for hours. It isn’t really possible to keep them apart. the only way is to put Tater in the cat room, but he clearly doesn’t like that. Bug goes out a lot and that helps, but I don’t want to alienate him either. Bugaboo is a quirky cat. He is restless, never on my lap for longer than a few minutes, but he can be a real sweetheart. Funny thing, Bug and the dog just love each other.
This is a pretty drama-free home, so small scraps seem large. sigh, People don’t always get along and they can speak to each other, so why do we expect more from a cat?
2 Likes
The picture of a happy and content kitty. You’re doing wonderfully with him. Thanks for saving him! 
1 Like
COURAGE!
Your Tater is behaving much like my Cheeto.
But a heckuva lot quicker!
& Bug like my Bounce 
As long as the dust-ups aren’t drawing blood or sounding too fearsome, they’re discussing boundaries.
*“My house!” * <Bug
“Mine too!” < Tater
Cat Politics 
4 Likes
Last night, Puddin’ was outside. Bug usually sleeps with me, sometimes he spoons. Tater was on the bed the night before last, but last night I think he was under the bed.
When I let the dog out this morning, he was very interested in the door. This morning, he seems very frightened again.
I did buy some of the tubed muck, and Puddin’ was wild about it. Tater seemed indifferent, and Bug smelled the used one eagerly, but when I offered it to him, he turned up his nose and jumped down. Cats are so weird.
Tater has finally been still enough for a few pictures to be taken. I have decided it will be easy to tell Bug and Tater apart. They look a bit like Laurel and Hardy-if you get my drift.
He is a bit chubby. And he is a bit short-legged. Not a Munchkin, but short-legged, and has a shortish tail. Tater is also VERY interested in the other two. He follows them around, and this morning, Bug was following him, and he wailed piteously. Bug made no move on him, but was sniffing.
Bug
13 Likes
well, time for an update. The cats have been doing the two-step, One step forward and one step back. Tater is very curious about the other two and stalks them around the house. He is still very shy. Puddin’ makes no bones of her contempt for him, she hisses and runs off when he is near. Bug is another story. He will stand by and sort of tower over Tater, while Tater cries. Then Bug will lay down right in front of Tater, and roll over, exposing his belly. He did this this morning. I was so pleased, I have seen him do this several times, so I thought good he was extending friendship. Not so. Two minutes later Bug jumped on Tater, who fought back bravely. I had to jump up and run over there, they were STILL fighting and reached down and pushed them apart. Bug ran off and Tater followed. Most of the time, they sort of get along, and can walk past each other with no problem. sometimes they stop and sniff. sometimes there is growling, but this was an all-out catfight. I even swept up a good deal of fur they pulled off of each other. There is really no way to keep them separate. I guess the only thing to do is pull out the trusty squirt bottle.
Puddin’ actually insists on being very close to me because she knows Bug will not attack her if she is with me. He did go after her this morning. I have toyed with rehoming him, but I just don’t do that.
3 Likes
Might be time for a little better living through chemistry?
I’ve had good luck with these sentry calming pheromone collars
Is bug the main antagonist? Maybe a trip to the vet for him for kitty Paxil? Might be worth a shot.
Glad to read your update.
Especially as (if you didn’t see my new thread) I’m getting a new cat on Tuesday & wondering how Bounce will adjust.
Hopeful, because he & Cheeto hadn’t know each other when they were thrown together as my intended barncats.
FAIL!
They became housecats & got along fine for the time I had them both.
But… They were 6mo kittens then.
Worried, as Bounce is marginally more clingy since Cheeto’s been gone - just since July.
New cat is 10, Bounce is now near 9.
He’ll accept the new guy seamlessly.
New cat* is at a cageless shelter, sharing a room with 5 others, including a bossy AllAboutME! calico female.
Shelter staff said he’s pretty What-Evs.
Stay tuned…
*Not Begging Paws I saw on my 1st visit, he’s been adopted 
3 Likes
