Today I saw the most amazing and wonderful thing. Guiseppe is a gorgeous shy gray tabby who I first met 4 years ago at the GPK feral cat colony home. He was soooooo skinny! He hung out by himself, didn't seem to have friends or even alliances within the colony. He was one of the loners who always ate last. He would not let me get too close to him except in time his curiosity allowed us to say "hello. what do you smell like?" every day by me stretching out my finger to him and him giving it a thorough sniff. So sweet, this little beauty.
Then the colony was threatened, and I feared for their safety. I began trapping them and giving them a safe space with me. This colony had once been more than 25 cats, but when this happened there were a bit less. I brought as many home as I felt that I could, and I did worry whether I made good choices about who to keep, for those who did get in my trap for a second time (the first for spay or neuter). Guiseppe was one of the cats I was most unsure of. I wanted him to be safe, but I also wanted him to be happy, comfortable, and fulfilled.
Here he is while still at the colony home.
Then the colony was threatened, and I feared for their safety. I began trapping them and giving them a safe space with me. This colony had once been more than 25 cats, but when this happened there were a bit less. I brought as many home as I felt that I could, and I did worry whether I made good choices about who to keep, for those who did get in my trap for a second time (the first for spay or neuter). Guiseppe was one of the cats I was most unsure of. I wanted him to be safe, but I also wanted him to be happy, comfortable, and fulfilled.
Here he is while still at the colony home.
At the new Catlandia home, Guiseppe was even more fearful and shy. He took to hanging out in a kitchen cabinet space that I had cleaned out and outfitted with blankets and kitty beds. It is a secure and private space. He and the other shy kitty Angel stayed in there. I don't think they ever really became friends, but they are similar souls and at least got along during these trying times of new circumstances.
These days Guiseppe is still shy, but his curiosity is stronger at times. He has done quite a bit of exploring, and he loves to play with wand toys, although he still will not come out of his safe zone to play. I have to work the angles to get the end of the toy to swing in to his space, but he goes at it like a kid once I get it in there.
He also loves the cattery, and explores the top ramp of it (8 ft high!) with ease.
He also loves the cattery, and explores the top ramp of it (8 ft high!) with ease.
Fast forward to today, to the Big Event. The small thing that is actually a Big Fucking Deal. There is no photographic record of it. I believe there will be in the future, as it continues and expands. Today when the cats were gathering to express their sincere hope in a quick meal, as they bonked heads and entwined tails in their excitement, Guiseppe was in the middle, and though he was afraid and even backed off in fear once or twice, he slid up against 2 kitties and bonked heads with them. I have never seen this before, at the colony home or here. Never. Can you guess which 2 angels he was making friends with? Big Boy and Vito. My heroes. Attaboy, Guiseppe. Thanks for making my heart sing today. You deserve many friends and so much fun and enjoyment in your life.