Update on the stray tomcat I'm trying to tame

He trusts me now, and will come up to me and let me pet him- he plays with me now with gentle nips on my fingers, and we talk to each other.

He bops right in and demands his food, then follows me to the kitchen and sits waiting. Since he's a real pig, it looks like he's already put on a bit of weight, and his fur feels cleaner and healthier already.

I just realized a few moments ago that the door is closed and he is still inside- looks like he's picked out a hidey hole and is taking a nap somewhere in a back room.

The Nashville Cat tolerates him well- they were lying next to each other on the patio last night, a couple feet apart. She still won't let him approach her, but other than that it doesn't look like she's at all upset by his presence.

Looks like I have another mouth to feed.

you are doing the right thing, God bless you.:hug:

And very kind of you to take the kitty in.

And photographs. You know the rule: No discussion of a new cat is allowed without posting pictures. :)

Since I already have The Nashville Cat, and I now live in Dallas, howzabout The Dallas Cowkitty?

Okay, okay- I can do better than that. Suggestions for a new name are welcome...

:evilgrin:

He is probably very happy with you under that smug, macho exterior.

:evilgrin:

Our family's had cats since before I was born. Sometimes we had up to 20 at a time (we live in the country). Now we only have 3. After all these years with cats, I know something about toms. They do a lot of macho posturing because they want to get the queens, but under it all they are just little kittens. Does your tom meow like a little baby? All the toms I have known, no matter how old or tough, sound like they are tiny kittens.

He's got a loud, deep voice. He DOES like to talk, and now that he trusts me he enjoys a good petting and ear scratching, but he doesn't give the impression of being a child. Lonely, yes. Grateful to have a place to sit in peace and take a quiet nap, yes. But he's grown up and he knows it.

I suspect he's been on his own a while, and has gone through some things. It's obvious he had a home once but lost it. I'm glad to welcome him to mine.

We have had toms that have wandered away from us for good. My mother believes that many of them find a better environment. I must confess that we did not have the toms fixed only the females. So, the biggest tom dominated the other toms (all were littermates, but that does not count for much in such matters). The toms got really neurotic and started meowing more often and got really shrill and pathetic. Eventually, they went away. :shrug: So, now our only tom has no competition at all. He still cries like a baby, probably because we spoil him.

Dear God, you have given us care over all living things; protect and bless the animals who give us companionship and delight, make us their true friends and worthy companions. Amen.



Dear God, protect and bless all beings that breathe, keep all evil from them, and let them sleep in peace. Amen.
--Albert Schweitzer, "Memoirs of Childhood and Youth"