Daniel {Foster Kitten Update}

Back in March, my husband and I took on a foster kitten through Cats in Need… and he’s still with us.

Little Daniel is now 9 months old, and for every bit of progress we make with him… he’s still scared of us.

For several months we pretty much allowed him to come and go from “UnderBed” as he pleased. We’d come down, reach under (he was always just barely in reach) and give him loves and cuddles.  He felt safe under there, would purr and enjoy the rubs… but never ever come out from under the bed for more love.

Last month, we decided that it was time for some changes, and Underbed no longer has the ‘fortress’ (aka the underbed storage boxes) that he could get up on and remain out of reach.  As such, he’s been forced to venture out from Underbed more often.

 

We’ve also decided its time for some enforced cuddling.  So he’s being cornered, loved and held… and for the most part, he’s not happy about it.

However, last night, we cornered him downstairs on the scratching post, and stroked his fur and rubbed under his chin… and he leaned into the caresses!

Just for a moment, and then he remembered that he wasn’t supposed to like us… and pulled away.

So that’s where are are with the little man – he’s playing and getting along with our kitties,  I’ve seen him sprawled out napping on the downstairs couch… he’s just struggling to overcome his feral habits.

I have hopes that soon we’ll get a purr out of him again…