tele_mark says:
Yup 2catts -- that's about as pure a feline as you can get right there. That's pretty much what the hunter-gatherers were staring down about 1M years ago -- just a much bigger version! Can you imagine that expression in a cat to our ancestors about 30x bigger? I feel totally privileged to work with this cat. To earn his trust and loyalty is going to be HUGE. Storm was the alpha of the litter, and was easy because he did all the work. This one is the challenge. When he sits in my lap, I'll have accomplished something...

tele_mark says:
I had a female supervisor about 12 years ago, and this brings back bad memories.....

tele_mark says:
Also, the big cats don't interact with him at all. They eat with him, and share a nest with him, but they otherwise totally ignore him. No nose touching, playing, vocalized greeting. Nothing. They'll walk by him by inches like he's not there. The only reason this works is because his brother is one of them and wants him here.

tele_mark says:
The nice cat bed remains unused.....

tele_mark says:
Yes, Mikesch no longer needs to be herded into the spare room to be fed. He comes out after he hears me walk away after putting the food down.

tele_mark says:
He's still totally feral in the open. The best I can do is sometimes inch my way close while he's playing with a string, and then if I SLOWLY move my hand close, he'll bat my finger with his paw.

tele_mark says:
As tame as can be as long as he's under the bed, although he did hiss at me just before this was taken!

tele_mark says:
He's winking at you!

tele_mark says:
She always looks like a businesswoman at her executive desk when she's on her roller-coaster scratcher!

tele_mark says:
He looks so content and happy!

tele_mark says:
Cute! He looks like he has the Crazies there.

tele_mark says:
The tracks are a cat's. In the 40's and rising here today. All the animals are out again. I think the cats are all right if not completely out of site. I think they might have a barn somewhere to hole up in.

tele_mark says:
Modest Claire, LOL!

tele_mark says:
It's amazing what cats can tolerate. I see tracks all over the backyard in the snow tonite. I'll see what they are tomorrow morning before the rain washes them away.

tele_mark says:
Claire the supermodel!

tele_mark says:
Oh, that's funny!

tele_mark says:
What a little teddy bear!

tele_mark says:
That's definitely a calendar shot!

tele_mark says:
Early morning crazies!

tele_mark says:
I'll begin trapping again just as soon as spring arrives. Hopefully I'll get those two. The really sad part is that I released the feral cat because no rescue groups were able to help, then a DAY after I released him, one answered and said they found someone to foster him. ;-(