Carys is still surprising me.

[Siwsan]

Last night my friend and I were sitting in the den. I looked over at the chair on my right and there was Carys! In full view! That's the chair that she hides under. She even came to me for some pets and scritches! She hasn't ventured out when people are visiting, other than racing from hiding spot to hiding spot, since just after I brought her in.

She spent an extended amount of time rubbing her face against my hand and arm and made a few false starts at climbing on to my lap, but then she'd look at my friend and decide that was just a step too far. At one point she did join Madoc on the back of my chair and started rubbing against him. It was obvious she really wanted his attention.

My friend is a cat mom who also rescues cats and helped me rescue Carys and her siblings, last year. She was thrilled to FINALLY see Carys, again.

I hope that's the first step towards Carys starting to trust.

She just trotted across my lap to what seems to be her new favorite 'in view' spot - on a green tub that sits next to the printer.

[yellowdogintexas]

1. Wonderful Progress! Congratulations!!

One of ours is a failed rescue because she would not socialize. So we kept her. For nearly 4 years she has not let either of us get near her. I woke up this morning and she was sleeping at the foot of my bed!
Yesterday she initiated play with one of our older cats.

Maybe there is hope for her yet.

[Siwsan]

3. On rare occasions she jumps up on the bed and asks for scritches

The first time was a few months after bringing her in. I woke up at midnight to find her rubbing her head against mine and purring. She let me pet her and eventually she curled up on me for a cuddle. The next morning she was back to her remote self.

There have been a few repeat performances and she occasionally lets me give her a few scritches during meal or treat time but she's NEVER come out of hiding when someone is visiting.

My friends leaves on Saturday so we're all getting together for dinner and a movie. It will be so nice if Carys makes an appearance.

[niyad]

2. That is such excellent news!

[ShazzieB]

4. It sounds like your friend's stay has been long enough that Carys has gotten used to her being around.

My daughter's cats were nevr feral, but they're extremely shy with anyone other than daughter and her boyfriend/partner, because they're just not used to company. When we go over there, they go into hiding.

Banshee will sometimes find a spot that she deems to be a safe distance away and sit and watch us, but if you try to get near her, she runs to hide again. Okay, Banshee, at least we got to see you!

Pooka is even shyer, and we rarely get a glimpse of her. The only time I got a good look at her was last spring, when I was taking care of the cats while daughter and her partner were away for a few days. I went over there every day, 4 days in a row, to scoop the litter box, add kibble to their bowls, and refill the drinking fountain as needed. Afterwards, I would hang around for a little while, usually sitting on the couch with my tablet, using my daughter's wifi to check in on DU or whatever.

Banshee got sufficiently used to me to get comfortable showing herself more, but Pooka stayed in hiding until the last day, when I looked up from my tablet to see her lying on the living room floor watching me. She was maybe 10 feet away, but she was in the same room with me AND in plain view, which were both firsts.

I still didn't get to touch either one of them, but I felt like I made a little bit of progress, just by being there as much as I was.

Of course, Carys having been feral is an additional challenge that I have no personal experience with, and I'm sure that makes it much harder. Still, it does sound like she has been gradually getting used to your friend's presence, and that sounds like a big milestone for her. Congratulations, Carys!