Wednesday, January 29, 2020

The Weary Traveller

There must come a milestone on his personal journey at which a cat decides that he can trust a human. Raleigh has been living with me since August of 2018. In the last few months, I’ve noticed a change come over him. He had been coming up to me just prior to meal-times and letting me rub his head - a pre-prandial ritual of sorts - and gradually permitting me to approach more and more at other times.

Now, though, I can come up to Peachy at almost any time and he will allow me to stroke his head or rub his face. Yesterday, I had to cut his claws. I was able easily to pick him. He still is very uncomfortable with being held, and tried a couple of times to leap from my arms. But when it was over, I placed him next to me and he walked away; he didn’t run. Raleigh then accepted as compensation the treats I gave him, coming out to me with just a little hesitation. And a few minutes later, I walked over to him, knelt down, put out my hand and over he came for a nuzzle.


He and I have another ritual. Well, the Peach developed it. After snack-times now, he expects to have his chest rubbed. He will eat one, two or three helpings of his food, depending on his appetite, and then, when I bring another portion, he will ignore it and come up to me asking for a chest-rub. So I will start petting him and, eventually, he will flop over, always with one hind claw hooked in the rug, and I will rub his chest so vigorously that I can move him around the floor doing it.

I must be careful not to pick Raleigh up for claw-cutting or veterinary visits if he comes to me on trust for some attention. I don’t want to use his growing confidence that way. I can collect him simply by coming up to him now - as long as I don’t do it too often.

Only rarely does he scurry from me these days. I believe he has accepted me as a human who won’t hurt him. It’s taken a long time and he has a ways to go yet. But he is getting there. This trust, and his possible friendship with Neville, shows that he has come to think of the Cosy Apartment as his home. For a fellow like Raleigh, that has been a lengthy and worrisome voyage. But he may have at last arrived.

16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post. It fills my heart with joy to read of Raleigh's progress. How far he's come! ♥ ♥

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  2. This is indeed great news. Not only has Raleigh learned to trust you, he is slowly learning to trust Neville. A little patience, time and love can work wonders.

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  3. I loved reading this. Before you rescued him, the poor guy's life must have been utterly miserable. I'm so glad he's learning he can now relax.

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  4. I know what you mean about the trust factor. With my outdoor kitties I can see their behavior towards me changing in a positive direction and it is a wonderful feeling.

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  5. This is a wonderful post to read! Maybe Raleigh has learned that he's got to train YOU, to get the needed performance...;-)

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  6. This is such a heart warming post. I am glad that Raleigh has now decided that you are not so bad after all.

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  7. Oh yea, when the progress shows so do the smiles!

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  8. This pleases me so very much! I am so glad and so proud of him for finally trusting you and for making overtures. Oh... this is like a burst of sunshine.

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  9. I am so happy that Raleigh trusts you now.

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  10. Bless! That's really nice..
    Over the years l've read all sorts of
    theories from so called experts..about
    cats..Why they do this..Why they do that,
    l think that's about it..theories..!
    As we know..pussy~cats 'do not' follow
    any particular pattern, they are very
    independent creatures, that's what makes
    them so special..Bless them..!
    But they know kindness when they see it..! :o).

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  11. We humans are always so grateful when our pet trust us and wants
    our attention. It has been long and slow for this wonderful turn of
    events and maybe Raleigh doesn't even know the length of time involved,
    but no doubt you do, John. Hopefully there will be no setbacks.

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  12. 2018 !!! where has the time gone; I was thinking it was just last year ~~~~~~

    984 pawz UP dood, we iz glad ya trust mor... N sum how, { it waz KNOT a little burdee that toll uz, } we new, like ewe new, yur rite wear ya bee long :) ♥♥♥

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  13. I hadn't realized Raleigh had been with you that long! Time sure does fly! He's making progress at his own speed and with your patience. Raleigh sure landed in the right home!

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  14. That's wonderful John. You have such a way with cats, and Raleigh is lucky to have found his way to the Cozy Apartment. Now I must go luck up the word pre-prandial. :)

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  15. It takes a lot of patience to allow a fearful cat time to gain trust but as you have demonstrated it is possible and immensely gratifying. He is a lucky fellow to have found the Cozy apartment. Well done

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  16. When this change happens, it is so heartwarming, isn't it?

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