It's been hard to write about Koa's progress. In the beginning, it would have sounded something like this:
In the middle of the night, Koa crept into the room. I opened one eye and she DIDN'T RUN AWAY.
or
Koa got on the bed. I petted her and she DIDN'T RUN AWAY. Then I lifted myself up on one elbow and she DIDN'T RUN AWAY.
Yawn. It's very touching in the moment, but does not make for the most thrilling retelling.
However, there has been some dramatic progress lately, and it's all because of a little wire brush. For some reason, I've been keeping this particular brush on my desk. At some point, Koa discovered it and started rubbing her face on it. Then she let me hold it so she could get a better angle (just getting my hands close to her face so I could pick up the brush was a minor victory). Then she wanted me to brush her with it.
After a few days of interaction with the brush, I've noticed that Koa is getting on the desk more, and is becoming friendlier. She even comes up from behind and rubs her head on my shoulder (which is extremely endearing). She has started flopping over on the desk and rubbing on all its surfaces, a behavior that she previously reserved for the bed. AND SHE DOESN'T RUN AWAY! (sorry).
I've even noticed that this new level of comfort extends to the downstairs, where she's just slightly more at ease now.
We'll be away this weekend, and our dear friend cdp will be here. I'm curious to hear what differences he observes from the last time he stayed here and whether Koa will regress or progress in our absence. The good news overall is that she continues to grow and change and her sweet, happy nature is revealing itself more and more, every day.
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4 comments:
Glad to hear Koa has made such progress!
Seymour was so timid and scared when we first adopted him. Koa will get there.
Thanks, J. It is very encouraging, and it is amazing to go through this process without the benefit of language, or at least a solid common language.
I am very proud of the steps that Koa and I have taken together and the bond that we are building. It is slow, but gratifying.
I don't know if I have commented about this before, but my mom rescued a cat from a shelter about 6 years ago. Since I don't live at home, the cat only gets to know me through my infrequent visits. The first year, she wouldn't show her face for a second while I was in the house. The second year, she might grace the room with her presence, but dart away if I so much as blinked my eyes. Every year since then has been an exercise in baby steps. While she is still not completely comfortable with me, she now allows me in the same room, and even lets me pet her from time to time. But if I do anything remotely surprising, she goes back to her neurotic, sheltered self. But that's what makes it all so rewarding.
Lori -- thanks for mentioning your mother's cat. Yes, the progress is extremely gratifying. I love watching Koa get happier every day. And as your uncle points out, "the healing goes both ways". It's so true. Thanks.
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