Thursday, October 8, 2026

Taking Baby Steps

Foster Cat Tilapia came to live with us one week ago. Hubby Tony and I quickly learned she is very skittish. Her favorite place to hang out is under the bed, where she spends most of her time, but last night sometime about midnight when I got up to use the bathroom Tilapia was curled up at the bottom of the mattress. She followed me into the bathroom and rubbed against my legs (a cat's way of showing affection) while I was sitting on the toilet, but as soon as I started walking back to bed she ran away. Hubby Tony said the same thing happened to him later in the night.

Today Tilapia came out from her hidey hole for several short visits, but always skedaddled as soon as she perceived she was noticed. Tonight I was sitting on the couch when I heard a commotion behind me. Soon I saw the cat coming around the corner. I sat very quietly while she walked over the fireplace hearth and jumped up on the cedar chest to look out the open window.

Once again, as soon as she saw I was looking at her Tilapia left the room. This time, though, she staged herself in the entrance to the living room, where she could see what was going on and still have an easy exit to her safe place.

Five years ago: No Nuking Now

16 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, she's so stinkin' cute.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So cute!-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, she'll be hanging all over you, purring non-stop, by this time tomorrow, I predict. You won't be able to move without her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cats are so averse to changing their routines, so I wonder how much of her under the bed time now is just because that's what she's used to.

      Delete
  4. You are doing the lords work with her

    ReplyDelete
  5. My sister has a black rescue who behaves exactly the same way - even after 5 years. But he is the sweetest cat!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a little cutie pie. I think that’s great progress. When I adopted my Stanley, he had come from a very abusive home. He hid from me for an entire month before showing himself. I would put food down that would disappear, and he would use the litter box, but he stayed well away from me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tilapia is a beauty and clearly finding her feet/paws.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awe...she is just a little shy right now. So sweet that she does want to show her affection..

    ReplyDelete
  9. You're so kind and patient. Bless you for helping the kitty. Linda in Kansas

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yeah they all can have such personalities and when they are new, many are shy. My Grandcat, Ed is shy. He only likes his family. He knows us, but he reserves all his love to my son and his wife.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A lady likes to be mysterious yet know everything - I love this! I know she will become more comfortable as the days pass.

    ReplyDelete