Ziggy the cat came to his new forever home yesterday afternoon. He is a very large, short haired, all grey male; with attitude. He reminds me of a ballet dancer wearing a body suit and tights; very graceful and controlled in his movements.

I had the spare room (now his room ) all set up for his arrival and he moved right in. There is a bed in there that he can go under to hide, and of course there is the bedding on top for when he prefers that.
A wall unit that has wide 24 inch shelves, is cleared of knick-nacs that he can perch on, or he can also go into the doored cabinet part. I put a pillow, covered with a thick towel in there for him to use as a cozy snuggle place and left one of the doors propped partially open. There’s a little cat-nip surprise in there for him too.

The bed is against a wall that has a large window that gets the afternoon sun, and the beams shine onto the bed. The window has a wide sill that he can sit or curl up on when he wants to look out onto the back yard. A climbing rose bush is right outside the window and its branches partially obscure the pane, but the branches also frame the window’s edge completely, and I think that he’ll like that because he can hide from being seen if he wants to.
Over all, the room is a bright, sun lit and cheery place.

I think that he’s had a few bad experiences in the last 6 months while being moved from another adoptive home and then into foster care because he attacks if you reach over him or move too fast. I’m waiting to hear back from the rescue center to get some insight on this.

I do know that his original owner was an elderly, severely arthritic lady who adopted him as a feral kitten, but that he went to the rescue after she went into a long term care facility 6 months ago. From there, he was adopted but was returned when he let it be known that he doesn't like children or disrespectful dogs.

He managed to scratch my arm when I reached over him to put some cat treats on the bed, shortly after his arrival. Otherwise, he is affectionate and we spent some time getting to know each other. He rubbed his head on my knee as I sat on the floor and he enjoyed being stroked. He has the deepest purr that I’ve ever heard…almost a growl, but it is indeed a purr .

He hasn’t met Willy the dog yet, but he will within the next few days. Before that I want him to explore the house and get familiar with it while Willy is outside. Willy knows that there is a cat in the spare room and he has been told “NO!” a couple of times for sniffing at the door of "Ziggie's room". Willy seems to have gotten the message, reinforced of course with some home made jerky treats .

Ah…its so nice to have the new addition. I always find that caring for others is a great distraction from my own issues and that it makes them less bothersome. The timing couldn’t have been better, as it is getting progressively colder out (-15 Celsius / 8 Fahrenheit this morning), so my usual distraction of gardening is done until next April or May.

With love, Erika

I hope it works out. Aggression is very difficult to deal with.

If he was like this before, it will be a trial for you. If it is only adjustment related, he may settle down.

Check out Pam Johnson Bennett's books on Amazon...she really fixes many troublesome problems. She is very compassionate and solves many difficult issues for owners.

http://www.amazon.com/Pam-Johnson-Be...r_dp_pel_pop_1

I hope he is not a "psycho kitty"... but she even has a book on that topic! Many are available on the used sellers lists too.
I've read Twisted Whiskers and Hiss and Tell...both were fabulous reads.

Kudos to you for taking this on....I hope he works out for you as he sounds very handsome.

Erika, I am so happy you adopted Ziggy. Your home sounds perfect for him. Cats that don't get along with others (children or other animals) are often left at the shelter and lead a very lonesome life. I hope you'll be able to post some pictures of Ziggy soon. He sounds beautiful and wonderful.

I meant to also say to use a very soft voice for him... and keep calm.. Cats feed on tension and react to it.

We have a feral cat, we adopted in summer of 2012, as a kitten upNorth. She has never scratched us, or even hissed at Weezie.
If hubby and I get into a disagreement, sometimes we raise our voices (not really yelling), but an increase from daily levels. Maya will sometimes come in the room and start calling/yowling..." eh eh eh"! She doesn't get aggressive but does react to any tension around her. (Weezie ignores it all).

Not all ferals are aggressive. But Maya is very fearful, and your cat may hiss or scratch out of fear, as well.

Congrats on Ziggy! I have a Ziggy, too!

My Ziggy has a problem with anxiety, which led to inappropriate urination. It was so distressing for everyone and the things I tried on my own were not working. I finally bit the bullet and contacted a cat whisperer. We talked for over 2 hours and I ended up with a 10 page illustrated treatment program and list of a few products she recommended. My problem resolved the first day I implemented the program, almost a year ago. If you need the info, just contact me. She addresses any cat issue.

Enjoy your Ziggy. I love mine so!

Thanks so much for the tips and insight everyone.

I'm not about to give up on him (even if he does turn out to be psycho)...because I already promised him that this is his home and that he's definitely here to stay .

I've had many fur babies come to live with me over the years; after their behavior or natural traits became too much for others. Not one of them didn't adjust, settle down and become friendly in time. True, some did have their quirks, but who doesn't?

In fact, Willy the dog had spent nearly a year going from adoptive (2) and foster homes (also 2), as well as the SPCA before he came to live with me. He was tagged as potentially vicious, but he hasn't been aggressive without cause towards anyone since his initial adjustment period; and he's been a great friend, for 9 years now.
Oh sure, he needed a lot of understanding and some specialized training to channel his intensity away from aggression and toward play, but once he got that, he became more secure, and confidence won out over aggression.

I think that Ziggy just needs some time and some consistent, loving understanding...and there's plenty of that here .
I just hope that he hasn't been mistreated or abused along the way.
Still waiting to hear back from the Cat Rescue on that.

With love, Erika

God bless you, Erika. Thank you for giving Ziggy the consistency and love he needs.

Hi Erika,

My cat Rocky was rescued from a hoarding house when he was a kitten. He went to the local shelter and I adopted him there. He was the shyest cat there but he was so beautiful that I fell in love with him. He was very standoffish for awhile and afraid of everyone, including me until I drew him out. He also has had behavior issues but not scratching. I'm sure there's a way to get past it. I'm thinking it is likely because of his recent situation and all he has been through.

Thank goodness you found him. His room sounds fabulous, like kitty heaven.

Erika, Ziggy is very fortunate to have you. He will respond quickly if he is able, I am sure. Most cats are very intelligent and adaptable, and only need a little time to learn the new home.

He might be able to scent the dog...and that may be a contributing factor.

Maya was the most shy kitten we have ever had. Collectively between the two homes (vacation and here), it was over a month before she would come out of hiding! Our record for adjustment prior to that was 2 weeks for Oreo. So I was concerned about little Maya, but she is now, comfortable with us. (but still runs from strangers). I play with her everyday, and I think that helped alot with her. She loves to play and invents games!

I keep her indoors and she gets tense sometimes with her hunting needs watching birds out the window. So I discovered a way to defuse this need, and it calms her right down! I call it the biteybite game. She likes sticks (the ends of the feather toys, or string toy). So I put it under a towel on a chair, where she likes to play, and move it around like a mouse, and she leaps off the chair back or arms and attacks it. I think the towel cleans her teeth too. The towel is thick enough she can't hurt her teeth, and she goes to town nails and all, on this moving thing. After a few minutes she is docile again, and typically takes a nap. This way her need to bite and be ferocious is directed safely. None of our other cats did this, but then they were less feral too. She tells me she is tense with little vocalizations like crying. She has been the most unusual cat we have ever had in 40+yrs!

Ziggy is one lucky fellow! Keep posting on your progress, please, because these situations can be so instructive to all of us.

Great to hear about your new addition. You gave that cat a fantastic home! I did the same 5 month ago, rescued a 3 day old feral kitten. One thing is for sure, he doesn't like other people, just me. I think that wild part of him will not get that much better. I don't know how many generations of "wild" Were in him.
Every time one of us rescues these kittens is a win win.... we love them, and in return we wind up with a friend. My kitten is in my lap right now for morning hugs. If I were younger, I would have a few more. ginnie