Michelle updated me often as she was personally fostering Sissy. She said she was super sweet and loved to talk, but shy. We were worried she needed someplace quiet to relax and come out of her shell. So, we made arrangements for me to come down from NC and take her. I'm moving back to Atlanta in 8 weeks so it seemed like the perfect amount of time for her to finish rehabilitation before being put up for adoption.The past four days with Sissy have been one for the story books and I wanted to share them with all our supporters:
DAY 1 (Monday 3/28): It's a six hour drive from Atlanta to Durham, NC and during that time I had the kennel door open and my hand resting lightly at the entrance. After 45 minutes on the road, I soon felt my hand being nuzzled and her purring. That night, I set up Sissy's food/water/litterbox and some private comfy areas for her in my room. I let her out since she had been cooped up all day, and she immediately hid. I made the mistake of trying to coax her out from underneath my bed. At one point, I had her cornered underneath a chair and I was talking softly to her with treats in my hand. I made the mistake of reaching out for her and she cowered and screamed. I became worried---My Husky Smokey (may he rest in peace!) cowered the same way when I first got him (he had been abused.) It was pretty much the same reaction. It became obvious that someone somewhere at some point in time had not been nice to this kitten and she was seriously afraid of me!
DAY 2 (Tuesday 3/29): I was determined to be patient this time and let her come to me. Sometime during the night she jumped up on my bed and cuddled between my legs. Still, she was hiding under my bed whenever I was awake. To gain her trust, I slowly inched my hand toward her underneath the bed (over a period of probably 20 minutes) until she could sniff it. She didn't flinch so I just left my hand there. I laughed thinking that Michelle and Lisa would probably love to be flies on the wall! Here I am, laying flat on the floor, with my arm fully outstretched underneath my bed as far as I can manage it. After a minutes of patience, she nuzzled my hand. Success! I was able to do this for the rest of the day. I would call her name, lay down, outstretch my hand under the bed, and she would come to it and cuddle.
DAY 3 (Wednesday 3/30): She slowly made her way from the depths below my bed to the outskirts and would sometimes dart out around the room. I took the same position laying flat on the floor, with an outstretched hand. Each time, she would meet my hand and soon she was nuzzling my hand immediately after I outstretched it. At the end of the day, she finally came out to play with me and was comfortable walking around the room! I was even able to stand up and walk away without her running and hiding!
DAY 4 (Thursday 3/31): Sissy is officially a different kitten than the one I first met. I woke up this morning to her kissing my face. She has meowed all day today whenever she wants attention and will come running when I call her. She is currently laying on my right arm kneading it intensely and purring! Sissy has made herself at home ON TOP of my bed and snuggles non-stop. I think she might be the most snuggly/cuddly kitten I have ever fostered. Seriously! Anytime she wants attention she will literally lay herself on top of my arm and roll around. She also has become very vocal and loves making eye contact. Today, for the first time, she didn't hide when I came into the room. I am still trying to avoid sudden movements, but she has gotten used to me walking around.
Cats are very sensitive creatures, and each one takes a different amount of time to warm up to new people. Sissy's unknown but traumatic past, coupled with the scariness of the shelter, made it so she was very careful before bestowing her trust in me. I had to make it perfectly clear that I was in no way shape or form going to hurt her. She had to get used to my eyes, the sound of my voice, and my movements. In exchange for my patience, I have discovered the most loving little ball of fluff. She has a long way to go before she is confident in herself and in people. Her foot doesn't seem to bother her. Sometimes she even puts pressure on it when she walks causing her to wobble a little! I am SO thankful for Fulton County for contacting us, Michelle for dropping everything to get her, the GHS fans for donating for her medical expenses, and for my parents for not kicking me out of the house when I brought home another kitten!
Thank you to the following people who donated for her care: Linda L. (2x)~Karen A.~Nancy C.~Tonia P.~Marla C. (2x)~Valerie P.~Kimberlee E.~Jesse S.~Tonya S.~Wendy B.~Melanie V.~Nick L.~Wesley and Lindsay F.~Jessica W.~Ed D.~Maria M.~Kate T.~and Best Fit Pet Services!
GHS Love,
Mary & Sissy
