Topic: Lost - my beautiful Buddy - Traumatised but home after 58 days (Read 111175 times)

Yvonne · « **Reply #353 on:** April 30, 2010, 23:07:26 PM »

How is Buddy doing now?

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #352 on:** March 02, 2010, 22:54:31 PM »

Ahhhh poor poor baby he really must have had a horrid time when he was lost but at least he has you and he knows he is safe and loved and that you will never force him to do anything he doesn't want. I'm glad he has finally decided to venture out from behind the sofa and you never know in time he may actually start to interact with you again.

miriambuddy · « **Reply #351 on:** March 02, 2010, 21:53:16 PM »

Zenith, I reckon it must of taken a while to get thru!, thankyou for the interest.
Dawn, yep, he is still wary but I do believe that he knows that I won't harm him, he just has to believe it!
At least he doesn't spend all his time behind the sofa now and I get to actually see him!

Dawn F · « **Reply #350 on:** March 02, 2010, 13:46:03 PM »

what a shame he is still so wary - I hope he goes back to his old self one day

Zenith (Liz) · « **Reply #349 on:** March 02, 2010, 13:40:12 PM »

I've just read your story from the beginning and what a journey!

I'm glad he's safe with you and hope he fully comes out of his shell one day soon

Sootyca · « **Reply #348 on:** March 01, 2010, 23:11:14 PM »

He must be seriously traumatised. Hopefully it will just need time to bring him back. At least he is safe with you.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #347 on:** March 01, 2010, 23:03:06 PM »

Poor Buddy

bunglycat · « **Reply #346 on:** March 01, 2010, 23:01:02 PM »

Poor Buddy , hopefully one day he will realise he is safe now -wonder what on earth happened to him

miriambuddy · « **Reply #345 on:** March 01, 2010, 22:59:37 PM »

wow, hi there!
Buddy never did fully recover sadly but he is home safe and well and plays every now and then, He sits in his old places but doesn't like to be touched anymore so I respect that. He likes watching the birds in the garden and is happier that it is getting warmer.
Thankyou so much from me and Buddy for asking xx

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #344 on:** March 01, 2010, 21:37:53 PM »

Hi Miriam,

Was just wondering how Buddy was getting on

Bazsmum · « **Reply #343 on:** November 12, 2009, 01:46:09 AM »

That's great to hear....I reckon cats can help other's in certain circumstances!

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #342 on:** November 12, 2009, 00:31:57 AM »

you need to lay a trail of Dreamies for them, Miriam

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #341 on:** November 12, 2009, 00:15:11 AM »

that sounds good

miriambuddy · « **Reply #340 on:** November 11, 2009, 21:07:55 PM »

Hi Bazsmum, he has his good days and bad days!. I'm working on getting his friends to come inside. They let me stroke them but pause on actually stepping inside from the back door but I think I am getting closer! Cheers for checking in.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #339 on:** November 11, 2009, 15:28:37 PM »

BUMP!!! Anything happened for the good of late Miriam?

Bazsmum · « **Reply #338 on:** October 26, 2009, 00:38:24 AM »

Did you come up with anything Miriam or are YOU hiding under the upturned couch?

Hope your plans are showing progression however small!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #337 on:** October 25, 2009, 00:32:04 AM »

I think a five sided box with his bedding in it should be left on a far side of the room for him so he can sit in there and watch but feel safe.

It needs to be big enough for him to sit up in as well as lie down

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #336 on:** October 24, 2009, 23:26:45 PM »

I can't see any harm in trying it - he'll maybe find another hiding place, and you don't want him to feel he isn't safe anywhere, which is why I would deliberately offer some semi-safe places which you never disturb

what really made the difference with Tosker was my neighbour's decision to clear out all the rubbish from his garage - he gradually removed all Tosker's hidey holes, which drove him towards me and the kennel waiting for him - once he started going in the kennel I never went near him, so he still felt safe

Bazsmum · « **Reply #335 on:** October 24, 2009, 23:23:12 PM »

I would be tempted to try something Miriam, he really needs to know that you are not the enemy here!

Just remember and I know its really hard but continue to ignore him once you have him more open!

miriambuddy · « **Reply #334 on:** October 24, 2009, 23:11:05 PM »

It's true, we are at a cross road with no obvious direction forward. Being under the sofa, that is the best hiding place, I having been toying with the idea of putting the sofa out of service, ie, on its side to see his reaction

Bazsmum · « **Reply #333 on:** October 24, 2009, 23:04:38 PM »

I agree with Trigger's advice there! When we took Blackie on (he is a true feral) we first put him in a room of his own, over time he has been moved to more open rooms....He would run at the sight of a human... He has now accepted that they can walk past him without him running away or trying to hide!

If I did not push him, he would still be scared stiff to move from the litter tray!

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #332 on:** October 24, 2009, 23:00:40 PM »

how to move forward is the problem, by the sound of it

I think he has to learn that he does not have to hide away to avoid being looked at or touched - I would be tempted to remove all opportunity for him to hide away - if this is at all practical - and leave him only a high perch with a cushion or blanket overlooking the room, and an igloo type bed facing into the room, to retreat to

and then totally ignore him, while moving around the room normally yourself - he will learn eventually that nothing bad happens to him with this arrangement, and be ready to move on to the next stage

miriambuddy · « **Reply #331 on:** October 24, 2009, 22:59:44 PM »

His friends are still coming round but just to the patio as that is where they used to hang out, but I do open the window (attended) when they come by in case they can pick up each others smell, I don't know for sure. Right now he is talking to me from behind the curtain which he always does when he I am thinking of going to bed!, I guess he is telling me to go to bed so that he can come out and play!

Bazsmum · « **Reply #330 on:** October 24, 2009, 22:54:15 PM »

Does his pal still come around? I wonder if allowing him/her in would help him feel more comfortable...He did use to go outside before and Im sure all this confinement is adding to his stress (not your fault of course)!

Sometime's it can take another cat to encourage their behaviour! Just a thought!

miriambuddy · « **Reply #329 on:** October 24, 2009, 22:47:44 PM »

I tried calling the vet's a few time but the phone was not being picked up, I guess the staff were busy at the time's I called and with each 'not get through', it made me think, could I undo any of the small improvements Buddy has made by taking him completely out of his safe place?. He seems quite happy here when I am not around/awake, playing with toys for example. In Vicky's Hall books, she warns how hiding cats can completely lose any form of trust with you if you upset them too far beyond what they deem as acceptable cohabitation. It does break my heart that he hasn't settled down yet, I've tried nearly all of the recommendations that I believe were suitable for him.
There are no obvious signs of illness or physical problems which is why I constantly err on the side of caution. Just wish he would trust me again!

Bazsmum · « **Reply #328 on:** October 24, 2009, 22:30:04 PM »

Did you manage to get him to the vets yet Miriam?

Liz · « **Reply #327 on:** October 21, 2009, 20:12:13 PM »

We catch our ferals by cornering them - we have also used the covered ccage technique - it may be worth getting the cat basket out without the door on so he can associate it with a safe place - we cover one crusher with a blanket and they rush to hide from scarey parents when they know the vets visit is due then we cover hole slide in door and hey presto one skitzy feral already to go - we also keeo the crush cages covered when we are at the vet after Sabrina shredded a child who despite telling no don't touch did!

Sabrina was fine child shredded!

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #326 on:** October 21, 2009, 18:00:30 PM »

I wonder what on earth must have happened to him to make him so scared

Really hope he starts to relax soon

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #325 on:** October 20, 2009, 21:30:51 PM »

My way would be to shut all doors so he is in a room where there is nothing, or little to hide behind and then to block him in the corner with the carrier covered with a towel and the door open. So you need some hard board or cardboard big enough to do this. If there is anything that he can get under or behind it wont work.

The aim would to be to get him to walk in so you can slam the door but before trying this you need an arrangement with the vet that once you have caught him you can just turn up, but make sure its a vet who is used to dealing with ferals and is kind and gentle.

miriambuddy · « **Reply #324 on:** October 20, 2009, 20:12:40 PM »

any tips are how to get him into the carrier????, would I have to wear about 10 layers on my arms and hands! I'll call the vets in the morning and see what they say

Bazsmum · « **Reply #323 on:** October 20, 2009, 11:53:50 AM »

Yep a check from the vet will give you some peace of mind....Best wishes!

(Thought you had gone on holiday with your Purrs winning's Miriam!)

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #322 on:** October 20, 2009, 11:51:52 AM »

Will your vet perhaps do a home visit for you, Miriam?

Janeyk · « **Reply #321 on:** October 20, 2009, 06:41:32 AM »

I would definitely take him to the vet Miriam, as I said before you never know there could be something physically wrong with him that's contributing to his behaviour, he may be fine but I think it is better to get him checked over

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #320 on:** October 19, 2009, 23:20:07 PM »

Maybe time has come for you to take him to the vets anyway, if he is not ill and you are insured, maybe a referral to Vicky Halls may be a good idea

Sootyca · « **Reply #319 on:** October 19, 2009, 20:55:59 PM »

Gosh, I can't believe he hasn't worked out yet that he is home and safe. It must be so difficult for you.

I wonder what he went through.

Karen
x

miriambuddy · « **Reply #318 on:** October 19, 2009, 20:19:32 PM »

Hi Helen, Thanks for checking on us!
Buddy still spends the bulk of his time under the sofa but will come out late at night to walk around and sometimes play a game. He hisses if I go to close to his hiding place. At the weekend I completely cleaned out his hiding place, much to his annoyance but there was so much fur there I could have made a jumper! A little feliway spray and he went back under!
Just wish I could get him to the vet's for a check up

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #317 on:** October 18, 2009, 19:21:10 PM »

How's Buddy getting on now Miriam? Hope he's settling down now

Bazsmum · « **Reply #316 on:** September 28, 2009, 23:22:57 PM »

.....And your luckier than me Trigger, My Blackie does not do play one bit and I have had him almost 3 yrs....What I do know is that he really enjoys the cats company and he has a pal in Gizzy, for that I am made up!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #315 on:** September 28, 2009, 22:36:52 PM »

Maybe as its dark he thinks you cant see him Miriam

Cats have the art of oneupcatpersonship

He sounds like he is coming out of his shell at last

Trigger now that Tosker goes on the bed....bedmice are just the thing and its how I taught Kocka to play and go onto greater things like Mr Fish on a stick and line

Thats a hand under the duvet moving and wait for him to pounce amd catch it and be well protected

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #314 on:** September 28, 2009, 20:53:30 PM »

you're luckier than me in that respect, Miriam, as Tosker won't play with an interactive toy - because he never has interacted with humans, I suspect

he does go absolutely mad playing by himself with a little mouse or soft ball though - and his timings are quite similar

Author Topic: Lost - my beautiful Buddy - Traumatised but home after 58 days (Read 111175 times)