Cullen, my Maine Coon Cat
It has been one week since a scared little feral kitten, was captured and acquired a new home with Miss Susan and myself. She is settling in quite well. Cullen, however, has the biggest job adjusting to not being the king of the roost! ;^)
After watching her for a week, I have come to the conclusion that she is, or should I say, was a feral kitten, for several reasons.
When she is free to run around, we do keep her on a harness and leash. At night and whenever we are not present to supervise her, we have her in a very large carrier, with plenty of food, water, and a litter pan. If she were completely free to wander the house, she would find the darkest, most inaccessible tiny space to hide, and not come out. Clear feral instinct.
My first two kittens in 1981 were from a very famous feral cat in northern Hoboken, NJ, named “Momcat”. My cousin who had a house there at the time, captured a very pregnant Momcat, brought her inside, where she had her last of many, many, litters in the house. Later, after being spayed, she escaped back outside, and continued to live in the area for many years after. I met the kittens at four weeks. As soon as I sat down on the floor near the basket, all six kittens came out and climbed on my legs and fell asleep! They had no fear of humans, just the opposite, they searched us out. I got the pick of the litter, and never regretted becoming a cat owner!
Dewey, on the other hand will tolerate our attention, but would rather be free to play with her toys, or tease Cullen!
When Dewey first came home with us she showed no signs of how to play. After a couple of days, she suppressed some of her survival instincts from being in the wild. She started to play with us and her toys.
Cullen & Dewey Chilling Out!
We have just started to give her chicken and turkey baby food, in addition to the milk replacement from Petco. She does have an appetite!
She just now climbed my leg to see me, so she is starting to seek us out. A good sign! Starting to bond with us for the first time!