Not so shy any more, this cat has become the dominant male and even a bit of a bully. We will have to work on it, even though it may be challenging.

 

Shy is Ryzyk's brother and one of the "original" cats featured in the Yearbook 2024-2025. Only he always stayed behind, deep under the building, waiting for Ryzyk to approach us, eat, and later be pet and picked up. That's where the name came from. Smart and careful, he was not caught along with Ryzyk for TNR, so was not fixed and grew into a huge bison-of-a-cat (11.1 lbs at the vet - he is big for a street cat, normally they are smaller, and Ryzyk is proof at 9 lbs). At some point he suddenly realized his size, declared himself the rightful ruler, and began driving out every creature that dared breathe within his sovereign estate, as if proclaiming, “To flee, or not to flee - that is not your choice.” 

 

Except for Masseeka and Chico. Those two teens appeared from nowhere in late February and started eating next to Shy ignoring his royal hissy warnings while Ryzyk kept his the distance. Masseeka seemed to feel safe next to the great lion, and Shy guarded her with the solemn devotion of a ruler protecting a princess in exile - a union whispered about in every corner of the kingdom, for the Lady was scarcely past her kittenhood. The two were often spotted sunbathing together in the yard, and we seriously suspected she was pregnant and he was the father. 

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Around that same time he started responding with a meow to his name or simply greeting us, still keeping distance but not always hiding under the building. Slowly he allowed my mom to approach and touch his head, even though it was not guaranteed and always preceded by a "sssstop, peassssant!" (then mom would softly ask if he is being silly today).

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Once the decision was made to adopt them, we thought about possible consequences. Shy needed to be vaccinated and spayed. That would help him become less territorial and more of a soft house cat, not to mention we didn't plan to become cat breeders. Masseeka was caught first, and Shy became a bit less comfortable with us. Once he even outsmarted the trap, and we had to postpone the vet appointment for a week. You can read more about catching him here.

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Long story short, a week after the vet visit he still lives in our half-bath, moves under the vanity whenever anyone enters, and greets us with a loud, most unroyal “kissss my asssss” every time we open the vanity to announce that his meal is served.

 

Will he ever start trusting us again? Time will tell. Surely hope so.