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In reply to the discussion: I need some advice from people who are cat savvy (UPDATED WITH PICTURES) [View all]Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)for short periods of time, when he was out in front. I sat back in the room on teh sofa, not near the door. Just for him to feel safe to come in quickly and leave...which he did. I had his food near the door on teh inside, too.
Once he started coming inside, it went pretty quickly, once he saw there was nothing dangerous inside, and no one or anything, incl. me, interfered with him or scared him. The door was open, so he had a way out.
Once it got to the point where I started closing the door...he still didn't stay in long. He'd go to the door, anxious, and I quickly let him out, so he wouldn't feel trapped. Once he figured out that I'd let him out, he started staying inside longer...he felt much safer inside than outside, I'm sure.
Before you know it, he was crawling up on me, looking at me, rubbing his head on me...he was claiming me! He totally came around, and he became my beloved Puddin'head.. and I guess I became his beloved savior or mom or something.
I loved him with all my heart. He was such a neat, cool cat. I never regretted taking him in. It sounds like you and Nikita may turn out the same way. She sounds pretty cool. And she sure is a pretty thing!