And this is about Cadeau. Her full name is Précieux Cadeau. That's Cajun French for Precious Gift.
She is a saved feral female who is about 7 months old now. She is as sweet as she can be.
The way I got her was as a Gift from God. I set traps on occasion and relocate the cats, to keep them from digging in Trash Cans. This one didn't go crazy when I approached the cage, just mewed softly... nor when I unlocked it, picked it up, and then carried it to the porch... all she did was stand up and softly mew. So I brought her inside. She still only stood at attention in the center of the cage, where I couldn't touch her, but she didn't strike at me. So while I was trying to clip it open so I could touch her, she came out, trotted across the floor into my office, and hid behind my desk for hours. Wouldn't even come out for Tuna Fish and Water. That was March 22nd of this year.
I wrote to a lady here on ECF, who has since become a very dear friend, because I knew she had experience with feral cats, and a lot of knowledge about cats in general. I've had cats before, but this was a first. She guided me
through the first steps, and from then on, every step of the way, for a solid week, via PMs.
After I was able to get her from behind the desk (in a Cubby Hole), my friend told me to keep her in the Ba
throom, to calm down, so I did that. By the 2nd day, I knew I'd need a name for her, because I was taking her to the Vet soon. I picked Précieux Cadeau, and I call her Cadeau... though I really call her Baby a lot. On the 3rd day, she seemed pretty calm, and came out some when I entered the Ba
throom, so I opened that door and left the Bathroom and Bedroom Hall doors open, and put her on the bed. She stayed there. By that night, we were pretty good friends, and she's been sleeping with me ever since. After about a week, she was given the run of the house. She still hid some, from strange noises, but has settled in quite nicely.
It turned out that she was already spayed, and probably already had the shots she got, but I didn't know, and the Vet said that a double-vaccination wouldn't hurt her, so I had that done for an Indoor cat, and was able to save about $100. I'm on a very tight budget, so that money has gone a long way for food and litter, and some very cheap toys. But this little kitty is so sweet, and so precious, I had to do whatever I could to protect her.
So this is Cadeau...
On the 2nd day, in the Bathroom, on my lap...
3rd day, on the bed...