Hey Cat-Savvy Du'ers -- For the Love of a Cat named Nikita -- a continuation (Part 3) UPDATE

[Samantha]

84. Nikita has come back home

I feel good about this decision I made this morning, although I was really upset for 2 hours. The decision to let Nikita decide what she wanted seems right because I gave her the opportunity to go. And go she did.

When she first stayed in the house, she was carried in in a trap. When she came home, she was carried in in a trap.

So last evening the man who helped trap her called to see how the kittens were doing. I told him they were doing great. They loved their room. They were using the litter box. They were playing quite a bit. And they were napping. They are also eating well, and pooping even better!!! He was thrilled to hear that.

And then he asked if I had released Nikita. I said I had not. I told him I was thinking about letting her stay in the house. I thought this would be a good transition time since I had the kittens. He at first disagreed, telling me she was a feral cat and I had to let her go. I kept saying I wanted to keep her inside, and he outlined a lot of things I needed to do, conditions that I just could not meet. But he emphasized again she could not be with the kittens.

So I ultimately decided it was her decision where she would live, in or out, and if she came back in, I would show her where to find her babies.

So Monet has discovered if she jumps onto the vanity, she can look out a window. Today she discovered she can jump from the vanity into the bed perched atop of a cat scratching post. The last time I looked she was asleep in it.

Sunny and Elise were "sleeping together" in the new bed I had bought for the room. I hope this does not become a habit!!! Bo was running around trying to find a partner for another wrestling match. Dane was keeping a low profile, probably under their hiding place. They go under the couch when they want to be out of sight.

I call out each one's name and then throw a Pounce treat at them. I am teaching them their names so that when one misbehaves, I can call out the name and verbally discourage him (or her). That way all of the kittens know specifically which one is sitting in the hot seat, so to speak.

So happy was I to see Nikita, I went out and sat on the porch with her for awhile. She ate a tremendous amount of food, almost sucking it down in gulps. She also drank a lot of water. Then she walked to me and started rubbing my legs, and laid down beside me. I gave her cat massage as usual. I kept telling her I loved her. She seemed pretty calm and relaxed.

So I stood up and walked to the screen door and opened it. "I have your babies," I told her. She looked inside as if contemplating whether or not to come in. I thought she was going to. But she turned around and started eating again. I kept telling her I have your babies. Believe it or not she knows that key word. She also knows the word food, and the phrase "see you later."

So I think she will come in, perhaps not tonight. And when she does, it will be her choice. And that I believe is the way it should be.

We will see. But I am going out tonight to get another litter box and some more litter. I am pretty sure I will be needing it.

She is shedding a lot. When I was petting her, her hair was blowing out like crazy. I have one of those cat combs, and I am thinking she might let me use it on her tomorrow.

Thank for listening.

Sam