Even when it’s slow, progress should be appreciated.
Sophia is emerging.
Last night, a major step forward…
.
Sophia came to live in my foster suites in 2016, cuddling into a cubbyhole with Patches and Bob. The three girls had been closely bonded with Bu, a confident, outgoing love of a cat.
But Bu had died. His system had been weakened by poisoning some years before and his kidneys failed.
.
Obviously, animals do not mourn the way we do. They are not like us.
But it was very clear that the three girls missed their rock.
Shy Patches was never afraid of me and dear old Bob soon came to trust me.
Sophia hid behind them.
.
We will never know the nature of Sophia’s trauma, but it was profound. I could only approach at arm’s length to drop her bowl of food.
After doing this twice a day for two years, I was able to put down the bowl and extend my hand to fondle Sophia’s ears.
.
She was still terribly nervous, but we were friends.
Then I upset the apple cart by returning to New York which set things back, but I was just recovering Sophia’s trust….
It was probably the fiasco with the fireplace that sent Sophia back into her shell. She had chosen the living room as her safe corner and the fireplace being overhauled, on the heels of the 3,000 mile road trip was the last straw.
Back to square one.
Even Grant had to work hard to restore his relationship with our poor shy girl.
He gives her quality time each night, to solidify it. We take nothing for granted.
.
Not wanting to pressure her, I resolved to let Sophia take her time getting to trust me again.
Her friend Patches gained confidence in her new home, finding her own favourite perches, leaving Sophia without a companion.
But soon we noticed that Lily had established a relationship.
They don’t cuddle, but they are close.
.
Bit by bit, Sophia emerged.
Something would make me turn my head and I’d catch sight of her on the prowl and she would often stop to look at me.
.
So I began again, the routine of depositing her bowl of food and extending my fingers.
Each day, small progress.
Sometimes a set-back would occur if Tinkerbelle was in one of her moods.
.
Last night Sophia was snug in her new favourite basket. I had her food in my hand but she wasn’t interested in it.
She wanted me to pet her.
After three years, I am back in favour.
For now.
Aww, that is such a beautiful and lovely story, Carolyn. I’m so glad you’re back in favour too. 🙂
Yes, it is nice to read about your devotion to your family, Carolyn, but you are wrong in your conviction that animals don’t mourn like us. I wrote about this in one of my posts, and it was the story about the man in Africa who set up a place for the elephants abused or in danger. When he suddenly died, the elephants stood in front of his house for a long time, and every year after that on the day and time of his death, they come and keep vigil in his memory.
Joanna
Yes, I remember the story of the elephants. I didn’t mean that they don’t mourn, just that as they do not have human emotion, it is different for them. More touching, really. Like the dog Hatchi that waited for his master at the train station, but the man had died of a heart attack. I believe it is something far deeper than human emotion.
I think there is no doubt that cats can develop human traits, feeling aggrieved and bearing grudges, but I also think they forgive more easily! I hope the Sophie relationship continues to improve.
Your patience has been justly rewarded, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
It’s amazing to read how much time you put into winning Sophia’s trust again – 3 years – that’s a long time, isn’t it? But I’m glad to hear there is progress. Beautiful photos … I really like the last one where you can only see the little ears (which I assume is Sophia in her favourite basket).
How rewarding.