This is one of the special times in fostering kitties that are so rewarding. We’ve had Jester and Lovie about a month, and in that time, Lovie has gradually become more trusting. She loves to play, and looks forward to mornings and evenings when George or I will bring out a toy that she can play with without getting too close to the scary humans – something on a wand and string, or sometimes even a peacock feather gives her enough distance to feel safe. Lovie has gotten more and more confident during her playtimes, and has progressed to where she trusts us enough to not always watch out of the corner of her eye to make sure we’re not sneaking up on her. She really lets loose, and it’s joyous!
Play has been the most wonderful ice-breaker for most of our feral and semi-feral kitties. They love it, and want it so much that it starts blurring the boundaries they have created. At first they often won’t play at all, and will stare at me, refusing to even look at the toy. But they can’t resist forever the lure of the stalk and pounce.
For a month Jester has been watching the toys fly around, watching Lovie enjoy it more and more, watching the toy come close enough to touch, but always remaining perfectly still, only moving his eyes. But only recently – twice – has he reached out and touched it himself.
Tonight we enjoyed a delightful breakthrough. Jester played.
It wasn’t quick – I spent probably 20 minutes or longer playing with Lovie. She was having a blast! With the bottom of the cat tree as her base, she would attack the bird toy whenever it came close, leap after it, roll around with it, and chase it out a few feet, or up onto another level of the tree.
Jester watched the toy, watched her enjoy it, and I would occasionally flick it over near him. When that happened, he would watch me instead of looking at it, to keep an eye on the biggest danger. He didn’t move from his spot, just moved his eyes.
Then I flicked the toy so it landed right in front of him, and his paw was on it before he could think. I didn’t move, and I could see his paw twitch, and then he sniffed it, then bit at it. I tugged just a little, and he renewed his grip. I gently tugged it away, and sent it back to Lovie – but he was hooked.
After that I alternated between Lovie and Jester, and soon he was immediately pouncing when it came near. Once he was committed to that, I flicked it just out of reach, and yup! He darted all the way out of hiding to grab it. Feeling very exposed, he then hurried over behind the cat tree, and true playtime entered his life. From there he played all around the base of the tree – warily watching me, but really enjoying himself.
We played for several minutes like that – Lovie was tired out and flopped down by the wall, so he had it all to himself. Eventually my feet went to sleep and I had to move, but Jester didn’t run back to his corner when I stood up, so I think real progress was made.
