Day 1208 Baby Steps

 

’Tis the season for Christmas cheer! We had our annual party at the GHBC, and although it took a lot of hustle to get us there on time, once we arrived it was wonderful. Tim opted for his standard black sweatshirt and jeans, while I tried to bring a holiday vibe… to each his (or her) own. It was great to see our summer friends, catching up and making a few winter plans.

Everyone offered condolences for Tim’s brother, a loss anyone can sympathize with. I felt so badly for Tim as he politely shared stories of his trip with his brother, tears welling in his eyes. Heck, I still get tears in my eyes when I talk about my dad, and he’s been gone for ten years now. I suppose that’s the price we pay for loving someone so deeply.

Okay… since I know the question on everyone’s mind is: How the heck is the cat doing???

Her hunger strike had started to worry me. I offered dry cat food, canned food, premium canned chicken and its juices, she refused it all. I kept placing different treats next to or inside her little cat house, only to return and find them untouched. She had no interest in leaving the safety of her house, but when I checked the litter box, I saw she’d used it… yay!

Before leaving for the day, I sat with her and reassured her she’d be okay and that I’d return with even better treats. True to my word, I came back with a few catnip toys and a nice bowl of tuna juice with a few flakes of tuna. I placed the food inside her house, got ready for the party, and crossed my fingers. When we returned home, the bowl was almost empty, hunger strike over! Maybe she’s just a fancy cat deep down who only wants premium food...she had enough garbage during her life on the streets. 

She didn’t seem to care about her catnip toy, but when she’s ready (if ever) to play, it’s there. This morning, as I made my coffee, she actually came out of her house and through a slice of open door, ventured into the downstairs family room… phase two! I had planned on phase two being next week, but here we are.

So now she has the run of the basement, warmed by the pellet stove, with big windows, window shelves for watching the world, and access to the first-floor bathroom where her food, litter box, and her trusted little house are set up. I may not see her for a bit, with all the hiding spots she has access to now... but I'm happy her world is growing. I’m guessing she’ll explore more and be ready for phase three (the first floor) in a week or so. We’ll see. She’s a quiet cat, no loud meows, just minding her own business… and although she’s not the lap cat most people dream of, I still have faith she’ll adjust with time. 

I’m  amazed she ventured out of the bathroom, and I’m grateful to sit quietly with my laptop in front of the fire instead of on the bathroom floor. Watching her take these tiny steps forward feels like progress...one tiny step at a time. Here’s hoping the coming weeks bring even more small victories, for all of us. 

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” ~ Mother Teresa