Cat of a different color...

I actually do remember to do follow-up posts, from time to time.

The stray kitty is now called "Dandelion". She has been spayed, up to date on shots, and in very good health.
She has gone from her light-as-fluff 4 pounds, to almost 8 pounds. And grew a few inches, also. She is still a fairly small cat.

Dandelion spent most of the past two months living in a large dog crate, and seemed happy to just sleep and heal. I would take her out a few times a day, for some socialization and brushing (her coat sheds copiously and continuously - vet says nutrition will take care of that, in time). She spends an hour or so every evening on my lap, as I catch up with computer things like blogs. Try typing on a laptop with a cat on your lap...

Yes, she has toys. Catnip filled mice and other things. About two weeks ago she decided it was time to debut. She now wanders in and out of the crate, and has started to explore the cabin in small increments. If anything startles her, she hurtles back into the crate, and then peeks out to see what was so scary.

She has been a bit worried about other people coming around, but now lets the punks hold and pet her. She doesn't come voluntarily to them yet. She is just now coming to me, with encouragement. It's hard to develop trust, when a kitty has been abused.

She and Jetta have been sparring though the door grid all along, with a lot of hissing and growling. Mostly on Jetta's part. Now they have met whisker to whisker, with no fireworks. At least only some low growls and huffy tail switches from Jetta, and pretty much nonchalance from Dandelion. I keep an eye on the action, but let them set their own pace.

It's good to see Dandelion progressing in health and social skills. And she is a primo fly and beetle catcher! I'm thinking she had to really scrounge while on her own outdoors, which will make her a good mouser, too. The plan is still for her to transition to another home, but we're not in a hurry. She needs more people exposure, and I'd like to see her coming up to me on her own. She's getting there, slowly but surely. Dandelion has a sweet temperment, is playful, and loves lap time. She is well on the way to being a lovely companion.

Oops. She just discovered the stairs, and top of the beams. Just like a two-year old. And mom has to go check to make sure house rules are being learned...