Earlier this year
Here is a little reel with the gang from earlier this year - before they were adopted. My family took Ryzyk (Tiger), Masseeka, and Shy. Why? Well, obviously no one would want a semi-feral, not-social Shy. He had known me and mom for over a year but always stayed behind, carefully watching and waiting until, in his opinion, it was safe. We knew it would be a long process: helping him get used to us and the home, recovering from necessary surgery, and re-socializing him with our other cats. But how could we betray him?
Ryzyk was the opposite - always greeting us or running to our voices. He started accepting pets quickly and trusted us enough that Mom could lift and carry him without being scratched. She said she simply couldn’t say good-bye to him; he was meant to be ours.
Masseeka and Chico appeared out of nowhere last spring, both young and hungry. Chico was brave and social, approached us right away, and didn’t shy away from the older boys - even when Shy gave him a warning hiss. A hungry teen doesn’t care! He was so cute and so easy with people that we never doubted he’d make a wonderful pet for any loving human. And he was adopted as soon as the flyer went up on the wall! If his new owner wants to share more about his new life, please contact me - we can add an article to this blog together.
Masseeka, on the other hand, would either run under the building and only come close enough to touch our fingers with her nose, or climb up a tree and watch from above. She never really trusted us enough to let us pet her. Once we realized she was a girl, it became clear she might also be pregnant (female cats can conceive as early as five months old!). So, obviously, nobody would want to adopt a pregnant young cat who also needed lots of care for her beautiful - but at that time filthy and badly matted - fur. We gave her a chance to become a house pet, and she did great! Ryzyk comforted her a lot, and now he watches over her kittens too.
Shy recovered well, but he still lives in a separate room and is slowly getting used to humans and the household. Patience and love are helping him mellow out - he’s naturally a careful, wary guy.