He started as a feral and looked this side of starving.
Larry thought he had the right credentials so he let him hang around. Leia figures he's okay - for a cat. After all, he's not Larry, who has the heart of a dog in a cat's skin. Perhaps Leia knows Larry's exceptional.
In any case we humans have taken to calling him "Fred".
He has taken to thinking of this place as home. Yes, the pictures are presented in sequence taken.
Our futon, complete with curtain, burlap, and last Sundays' paper seems to be Fred's bed.
We can go away now, he's ready to nap. Thank you.
If a cat comes to you as an adult feral and decides to give up that earlier imprint - it's because they carry the "sweet" gene. It's what made domestication (of the last of the domestics) possible.
ReplyDeleteSo here's the twist. The cat belongs to our neighbor. Or at least she says he does. Their house is on the market so he might stay or go. We would love to have him stay, Larry would love a playmate, but it's out of our hands. We think you're right about the imprint comment. We'll see what happens.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is one of the few things I am absolutely certain of. Lived experience and a sister who heads the education department at the San Diego Zoo. They access the personalities of the big cats when they're young, for that sweet gene. If the animal has it, they can use it to educate.
ReplyDeleteI've dealt with feral populations for years. In one case, it was a litter dumped off at our studio in downtown. One refused human contact (but not the food) - the one I took, required a ton of work (stayed semi-feral) eventually hit by a car. The other two had the sweet gene....one used an ivy vine to climb three stories and drop in on a couple living on the top floor. And he stayed
btw: Happy Birthday
He was back today. Larry misses him when he's not here.
ReplyDelete