RUSTY ADJUSTING

YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT WITH THAT BALL?

OK, I'LL HUMOR YOU AND TAKE A FEW SWINGS AT IT. SATISFIED?
PLAY TIME IS OFFICIALLY OVER. GO PLAY WITH BAILEY.

Rusty had a calm, quiet night and ate all the food I left for him. It's the brand he's used to, so that's a plus. He used his litter box and that's another plus. Some cats act out by wetting on things when they're upset but Rusty is doing exactly what he should. He's even begun to play. So far, so good.

I can tell he wants to be loved but can't quite bring himself to surrender. That's ok and I fully understand he needs time to come around on his own. He's been gesturing and rolling on the floor (signs that he wants affection), but when I put my hand out to touch him, he sometimes swats at me. When he does that, I pull my hand back but continue to softly talk to him. I want him to come to me on his own, and he's beginning to rub against my legs. That's a good start. I want to scoop him up and love him to pieces but that's not what he needs right now. That's what I need. Rusty needs time and understanding.

Rusty was re-introduced to his mild-mannered brother, Bailey, today. Neither cat seemed extremely pleased at the meeting, but if Rusty is going to be here, he needs to learn to co-exist with the residents. I didn't expect either cat to remember the other but it would have been nice if they hadn't hissed and growled. I stayed in the room with them for the whole time they were together and the hissing stopped after a few minutes. Both cats eventually walked around each other without growling and they sniffed each other's tails. Those are good signs too. Tomorrow I'll re-introduce Elliot to Rusty and see how that goes.

This adjustment is going to take a little while to accomplish but I'm up for it. My goal is to have Rusty feel at home here again. I know he's been through a lot of changes but I never stopped thinking about him or loving him. Love is a good starting point.

P.S. I spent a lot of time with Rusty this afternoon and evening and he made up with me! He's still very jumpy and probably will be for awhile but he's beginning to trust me a little and for that I'm very thankful. He's now putting both paws up on my leg so he can be petted. He even let me hold him for a short time but I didn't push my luck. I held him, then gently put him down so he knew I wasn't going to hold him against his will. Things are looking up tonight.