Building trust exercises with #soontobeformeralferalkittens

I am not sure why these kittens are being so difficult in the learning to trust me department. Faraday seems to be the most likely to give me the benefit of the doubt, but I think that is because I helped him to feel better. He didn't like what I was doing when I was doing it, but I am fairly certain he made the connection, "she did that horrible thing, but now I feel better".  He is still not willing to come right up to me with out incentive, but he will do it. He flinches when I reach for him, but he doesn't run. Maxwell is the quickest to turn on the motor boat once I have my hands on him now. He purred for me for the first time this past weekend, and as long as he isn't aware I'm 'coming to get him' and get my hands on him, we are all good.

Recently I attempted to give them an incentive to jump up on my lap. First I disguised my lap with a blanket. This provided them with something new to explore that wasn't part of the big scary woman who keeps trying to nab them, and it provided me a little extra security from their sharp little claws..

What's this? ~Faraday

Is it for climbin? ~Faraday

oh no.. too close to that lady thing!! runaway!! ~Faraday

Ooooh, a toy!  Must pounce.. ~Faraday

I'm gonna get you!! ~Faraday

WANT! ~Faraday

But I do NOT want that lady thing to see me.. ~Faraday

Ooh, the toy just went that way! ~Faraday

Hey Faraday - whatcha doin?? ~Maxwell

I can do that too.. see! ~Maxwell

Oh CARP! Too close to that lady thing! She might touch me!! *scamper away* ~Maxwell

Phew! I'm safe over here... ~Maxwell

but I really want to get that toy.. ~Maxwell

*after some playing, I got to pat Maxwell, and he purred!*

Faraday playing it safe.. 

Allie playing it VERY safe.. 

Allie, as you can see, wasn't having anything to do with it. I think we are going to have to break out the big guns for her.. Baby Food..

Allie's favorite #KittenToy

This little flat squirrel (chipmunk??) came home with Allie, Maxwell and Faraday. I have seen other flat toys for dogs, but never one for cats, so I was intrigued if they would find this thing interesting. While they sat in the cage for a couple of days, the toy did too. It was untouched from what I could tell while it was in there. I even tried spraying it with some "Safe Spaces" and it still didn't seem to garner any interest. After I opened the door to the cage and let them have free roam of the room, Flatty McFlatterson would end up in different parts of the room. He ended up on the couch, then the next day over by Happy Bear. I was starting to think Flatty McFlatterson was a magic squirrel.. and then there was this..

It seems like Miss Allie Girl is enjoying her toy quite a bit. I do not know if the boys play with it as well, and I suppose it really doesn't matter, as long as someone is having a good time - right Flatty??

Wordless Wednesday - Faraday has some food on his face..

Toesday - one black kitten toe

I thought this image was also quite fitting for "Toesday" too..

Since toes are generally irresistible to kittens, it was nice to see Faraday attempting to sniff my toes.. even if they were uber scary.  I don't know what it is with these kittens. If I take my time and get my hands on them and get them past their "OHMYCARPIAMBEINGHELD" fear, I can get them purring, but as soon as I let them go they seem to forget how good it felt and how happy they were and they are back to being afraid of me. Maxwell seems to be the only one willing to give me the benefit of the doubt, but even then that benefit only goes so far as he still flinches when I reach out to pat him (I try to sneak a pat in when he isn't looking). I am thinking I am going to try to bring them to work at the end of the week to get them out of the house and let them explore somewhere else and come home which I've seen build a kitten's confidence by leaps and bounds. They are also due at the shelter at the end of the month too for a check in, which will be another trip out which will only be good for them. The more I can expose them to, the more they will realize I am not going to eat them.

It always amuses me when I imagine they think I'm going to eat them, as I end up feeling a bit like the witch in Hansel and Gretel.

Will they keep their baby blues??

It looks like the answer is a great big yes for Maxwell.. Allie's eyes have already turned, Faraday?? hard to tell, they look like a very dark blue-ish color.. I do so hope he gets to keep them, but even if they change, he is still uber cute..

The post where I hope Rene is still talking to me when she sees it..

I know Allie is "just another black and white cat" and as such won't have as many fans as her bothers already do.. but I really do adore this kitten.  She is freakingly adorable, so petite and tiny, but she has whiskers up the wazoo, has adorable markings on her belly she isn't afraid to show off, and one black toe.. She is starting to walk up to me at meal time, and I have gotten her to purr.. she still has a ways to go, but she is going to make someone an awesome kitty I just know it.. (and I know it isn't Rene.. I won't even let you adopt her, so there.. :D )

well unless you ask... 

Basket case

Kitten Wrestling

Wrestlin time!!
(I have to say I adore Allie's chest spot as well as her one black toe)

Oh Allie, do I halfta? `~Maxie
Oh yes you do! ~Allie

Okay, fine.. NOM NOM NOM ~Maxie
OW! ~Allie

Doesn't he know I'm supposta win? ~Allie

You win? Who says?? ~Maxie

*wrestle wrestle wrestle*

You two, quite down! ~Faraday

How is a boy supposed to get his beauty sleep?