Feeling a bit dispirited today
We've always had cats - rescue cats.
We took on two 10mth old brothers 3/4 years ago and sadly one died last Feb from a thrombosis. It was very traumatic.
Anyway with his brother missing him, lockdown looming and kitten season on the way we contacted the shelter and offered our house.
We agreed to take on a 10month girl from a hoarder situation, she needed experienced owners who had the time to gain her trust.
She spent 3month in the lounge with a crate and someone with her almost 24/7 as my husband works nights.
She went from hissing at people just being near her cage, the playful and loving a fuss.
She has sat on my lap about 3times. She adores our boy cat - he is indifferent to her!
So a year on and she is still very nervous.
Won't use the cat flap unless we hold it open, runs from my dh. But wants to be played with all the time and actively asks for fusses. She is so vocal, constantly chirping, howling and calling for people.
She does not like being picked up at all.
The issue today is that we've got to give her eye drops 3 times a day for 10 days.
She has a recurring issue with her eye. Last time we did this she regressed massively and she hadn't quite got comfortable again before we needed another round.
We try and do the drops in the least stressful way, I'll fuss and hold while dd does the drop, treat after etc.
We'll look for opportunities that don't involve picking her up or chasing her to catch her.
She hissed at me yesterday because she knew it was drop time.
I just feel like 10 days has undone a years worth of confidence building and hard work and now we are having to reinforce the negative by starting again.