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| Oliver enjoying some inside play time! Jan 21, 2016 |
Every time I get to hang out with Oliver my heart glows with joy. My bond with him is quite different from all of the other cats. There something about how we met and that it took quite some time for us to trust each other. He was the first feral-like cat that I befriended. Over the course of time, he went from being too scared to be in yard with me, to being a puddle of purring kitty-putty in my lap.
Join me for an Oliver flashback...
I first started noticing feral Oliver around the neighborhood in January 2011.
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| Jan 23, 2011 |
Over time I started noticing him hanging out in and around my yard more and more.
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| July 29, 2011 |
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| Aug 15, 2011 |
He was pretty thin back then.
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| Aug 26, 2011 |
I knew absolutely nothing about feral cats then, so it took me awhile to start feeding him.
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| Aug 30, 2011 |
He took to the food right away!
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| Sept 1, 2011 |
Then I built him a house and a matching dining hall.
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| Sept 7, 2011 |
He immediately claimed the house as his.
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| Sept 18, 2011 |
Then came slowly working to win his trust.
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| Oct 6, 2011 |
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| He's such a beauty! Oct 7, 2011 |
And at long last the amazing moment happened, his desire to be held overcame his fear. He climbed into my lap and completely melted into me. I cried tears of joy and delight as I held him close.
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| Oliver's first cuddle Oct 20, 2011 |
After that first cuddle, he wanted more and more cuddles. I was more than happy to oblige!
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| Nov 8, 2011 |
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| Dec 2, 2011 |
I was so honored when he brought his kittens to share in his bounty.
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| Dec 31, 2011 |
Over the years, Oliver's made his desire to be an inside kitty very
clear. Sadly, he's a frequent urine marker, so he's only allowed inside
under supervision or if I'm traveling and then I Oliverize his room by
covering every surface with sheets and towels. I tried all sorts of
things to get him to stop spraying but sadly nothing worked. Over the
years he's mellowed a bit with the spraying, so I may try some of those
things again.
He would jump up onto the outside window sill and beg to be let in. He has the saddest cry.
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| Feb 18, 2012 |
When time allows, I bring him inside for some supervised snuggle time.
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| July 8, 2012 |
Last summer I had the brilliant idea of camping in the back yard with Oliver - if Oliver can't come inside to spend the night with me, then I could go outside and spend the night in his space.
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| Aug 1, 2015 |
It took a little time to win his trust, and in that time, Oliver has freely given me his heart. He is such a delightful gift, a gift that I treasure and I'm immensely grateful for.
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| Oct 10, 2015 |
Thank you, Oliver, for choosing me.
Thank you everyone for your kind comments about MK's absence. Many of you said you can't believe it's been a year already, I feel much the same way. He'll forever live in my heart and in Pierre and Oliver's lives.
Happy former feral Friday!
I think of you and Oliver every time I try to coax Patty O'Malley inside! Neither he nor Sweetie meow to come in, but I dream of sleeping outside with them; even gone as far as discussing buying an old RV to park in the yard, so I can sleep with them!
ReplyDeleteOliver is a lucky guy as are you! Special times!
ReplyDeleteOliver is such a sweet boy and we're so happy to see him enjoying the cuddles.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful look back at your relationship with Oliver. You're both blessed to have each other. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour relationship with Oliver is so heartwarming. Thank you so much for sharing it with us
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful relationship..... LOVE the picture of him snoozing on top of his house. you've done a wonderful job caring for him and his family
ReplyDeleteI keeping hoping I'll have the same relationship develop with Ginger. She so far is totally resistant to coming inside though. What a beautiful chronology of your time with Oliver!
ReplyDeleteNice summary of the past. Seems like only yesterday when I was reading about Oliver and you building his camp outside.
ReplyDeleteGreg
oliver...manee thanx for thiz flash bak fryday post; we troo lee N joyed reedin it....we iz buzzed happee for ewe ...and dad ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteheerz two an orangespine unicorn fish kinda week oh end ♥♥♥
Goodness, your story sounds so much like what happened with my feral Greybeard. I had a blog way back when and wrote about it if you are interested: http://possumlady.blogspot.com/2007/10/fluffy-furrythursday.html?m=1
ReplyDeleteFanks fur sharin' yous journey wiff Oliver. We have always fawt he was special. And of course very handsum. enjoy da ciddles and have a gweat weekend.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
I remember every second of Oliver's journey into your life and when he first climbed into your lap and melted. I did too just reading about it. I remember all of this and his home and dining hall...it just makes my heart happy this morning seeing and reading it again. Oliver is very important to me as are his family and you guys.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy Oliver decided to trust you and is enjoying life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to Oliver. Thank you for the recap!
ReplyDeleteLove this story! I'm so happy there are people in the world like you! Oliver is so lucky to have you, as I'm sure you feel about him!
ReplyDelete