Can you believe this relaxed boy comfortably owning the master bed and especially the sherpa blanket was a survival specialist all his previous life? Tiger was born feral, but somehow developed trust in humans and didn't lose it even after being trapped, neutered and released (TNR program. See his left ear clip). He was featured in the Yearbook 2024-2025 on page 45.

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His life changed last spring, as his brother Shy (not TNR-ed) started dominating the territory and chasing him. We wouldn't see Tiger for an entire week, only hoping that he would show up next time. We called for him while Shy was enjoying his dinner, and one day we heard familiar "meow!" from somewhere above. Tiger was sitting on the roof where the tree branches allowed him to escape to safety, responding to us, but not going down until Shy finished his can and moved under the building. Then Tiger came down, to be squeezed in bear-hugs by me and my mom, and he didn't mind as he knew us for over a year.

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On Mother's Day my dad asked mom what kind of gift she wanted, and she said: "A CAT!" ​Catching Tiger was easy - I held the pet carrier vertically with the door open, mom picked him up and gently held his paws. He realized something was wrong only when she lowered him into the carrier. He yelled once, but didn't scratch her even then. Such a gentle boy! The name Tiger didn't fit him at all, we now call him Ryzyk. The word appears in several Eastern European languages, meaning "red pine mushroom" or "risk" (slight pronunciation variety). While the first one refers to his fur color, the second one makes some sense remembering how he spent the first night at home... on the "branch". It's a metal bar, and we had no idea how he got there and held onto it! Looked like he supported himself with his tail! Probably not risky at all for him, but looked so for us!

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Day by day he became much more relaxed, started falling into deep sleep and never caused any trouble other than redesigning the curtain on the first night trying to find a safe high spot (his survival habit).  No screaming, no scratching, no looking for ways to escape. He even figured out the litter box right away. He purrs loudly and enjoys being petted and played with. At first he was losing a lot of his outdoor undercoat, but then he started grooming himself a lot. Now he's not shedding much and looks pink and clean. 

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The little brown-and-white girl joined him two weeks later, and he became such a loving and caring brother to her! I will tell more on her page. Honestly, without Ryzyk, I'm not sure how successful the socialization of the other one would have been. Basically he teaches her everything - how to react to humans, how to use her litterbox (she watched him using his), how to purr and enjoy interacting with us, how to groom and appear nice (yes, he grooms her), how to rub on us humans when we sit on the floor in their room - literally, everything!

 

How did he figure out it all by himself? My only assumption is - he is a school cat. High IQ. Fast learner and problem solver. In addition to being a certified mental therapist. JK. He is wonderful. Such a treasure.