Here's that not-at-all-cute young feral cat

Murrmurr said:
Penny (the cat formerly known as Scribbles) is not-at-all-bad-looking these days.

Here's a recent photo. What do you think? Not bad, right?

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I think she's kind of pretty.

She's been with us for 2 years now, but it's only recent that she finally trusts us and isn't startled by every sudden sound or movement, and lets us talk sweet-talk to her and pet her a lot. In fact, she actually asks for pets and belly rubs and head-scratches. She still won't sit in our lap or let us hold her, though. But she let me carry her from the living room to the kitchen yesterday. Progress.

She still runs to her safe spot every time we have company, but she'll peek out from the hallway when it's certain people. She dashes to that spot whenever I bring out the broom, too. And she actually panics first; her eyes bulge, her body tenses up, and she takes off like a bullet. She's scared to death of the broom.

It's obvious she experienced trauma when she was very young, but it amazes me how long it's effected her. It must have been pretty significant trauma. Poor little girl.


A reminder: Penny showed up 2 yrs ago with a feral colony I was feeding. She looked to be only 3 or 4 months old, and obviously pregnant. I called a cat-rescue friend, Pete, who trapped and took her to a veterinary hospital where her kittens and reproductive organs were removed. I guess there were problems with the surgery or the anesthesia because Pete called a few hours later to ask if I could let Penny recuperate at my place for 3 days, and then put her out to rejoin the colony.

She recuperated in my closet for 3 days, but I couldn't put her out. I kept her.
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She is gorgeous.
 
Kaila said:
I agree with both observations! :giggle:
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She's still feeling the trauma of her youth, but she also still has her hunting instincts, and they are super-keen. Only thing she has to hunt around here is bugs. She'll spot every one, every movement, every time. I watched her pounce on a gnat that was totally invisible to me. Michelle said most cats are just as sharp-eyed as Penny, but I was still pretty proud of her.
 
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