Gus friends you

Gus is still hiding under the bed or the covers when a new person comes to visit. But I leave him to it and we chat and move around the flat and, in his own time, he emerges and is friendly and sociable and hangs out with us. Allowing visitors to stroke and fuss him and he purrs away. So happy to see him growing in confidence and enjoying himself. Still spooks at the post coming through the letterbox!

Gus conkers

I was enjoying an Autumn walk a little while ago when I came upon my first conker of the season. I picked it up and brought it home and thought, what'll I do with this? Gus knew exactly what to do with it. He enjoys playing with it up and down the corridor, down the stairs... Favourite toy of the moment :D

Acrobatic Gus

 

 

Gus siting on windowsill looking out at all birds flying about. Some nesting in the eaves, others perched on TV aerial, others in buildings and trees nearby. So far, so good.

 

 

THEN:

Gus jumps up onto top of open window-frame!!!!

Balancing calmly surveying the world.

 

I was not calm! I gently manhandled him down off there.

 

However, nothing doing. He loves it up there. I now make sure the window is open the strategic distance. Open enough for him to have a clear jump but not so wide that he'd slip through to the ground below between house and window.

I tried to be clever by only opening the wndow so far so he "couldn't jump up there". So, he stands on his hind paws, gets a grip with his front paws and scrambles up the window onto the edge.

 

I once opened the top window-light to block him getting on the window's edge. Not to be defeated, he swung himself by the front paws on the cross bar of the window frame and using momentum swung himself onto the edge. My eyes nearly popped out my head.

And the Olympic medal for gymnastics on the window-frame goes to......

GUS!

sleepy Gus

 

Just look at this adorable pusskin!

Asleep, out for the count on my bed.

 

 

Now I didn't pose him for this. I walked into the bedroom and from having been buried under the covers he had emerged like this: half tucked in the covers, head next to pillow..ahhh :D

 

 

 

Well, have you seen the like!

All scrunched up and tucked in, paws akimbo.

 

Bold Gus

Well! Lots of going out! Gus is getting a taste for outdoors am happy to say. With me for company still. Up trees, giving the bark a good long scratch, balancing along tops of fences, exploring roof tops. He also climbed up gate post staring up at tree with bird's nest in it. People and a van drove by and he stayed put, alert but not scampering. So definitely gaining confidence.

He ran to the front door which was closed. Borderline spook but I approached in a slow zig zag and he stayed and let me stroke and pick him up. Time to get serious about cat flap. I thought with the door closed he'd not think twice, or if he did think twice he would go through, but he didn't. He was relaxed and quite floppy so I pushed his head in cat flap tunnel but he wasn't getting the idea. And with his paws up he was resisting going through. So I held him in such a way that his front paws were held down against his body and I could push him through head first. This worked! I should note that he wasn't really fighting me and resisting as in earlier days, a gentle token resistance, he was not scared. I opened the door and met him on the inside, perfectly happy.

I really need him to have the confidence and know-how to get in through cat flap. I don't mind letting him out but I want him to run in home through it if something frightens him or he gets out and wants to come in. Freaking because front door is closed is not a plan when cat flap is there working perfectly! Home is always open is the message I want to convey.

So, work in progress. More pushing him through, only from outside in, as he grows in confidence and trust in me. I am thrilled at the progress Gus is showing. And he is so loving going out.

Gus head & shoulders

 

Gus, after a lot of coaxing and encouragement by me crouching by the front door and catflap, deigned to put his head up to his shoulders - no less - through the catflap. Progress! He likes looking out of it as his own personal window. Not going through it by himself yet. He encountered Billy Cat from next door and they had a face off in the middle of the road which I ran out to break up before a car came whizzing along. Billy went one direction, Gus another. Eventually he worked his way home round the back. But he became reluctant from that point to even come down the stairs to the front door.

 

We have however conquered that fear now. We are talking BOLD Gus. I embarked on a campaign of sitting by front door with it open, me on step, patting the side of my leg (the message that Gus understands as come hither). For quite a few days now he has been happy to sit beside me at the open front door surveying the landscape.

Gus portrait

I was just thinking...

Encounter of the feline kind!

This is a very short clip where you hear more than you see..of Gus meeting next door's cat Ted on the top of a high fence. Ted's are the glowing eyes on the right.

Face off!

Gus responds to coaxing out of doors late evening. However Billy (a neighbouring cat) was out and about too. I saw Billy run across the way and hurtled out myself to keep an eye on things and there the two of them were: in the middle of the High Street facing each other down. No traffic and dead quiet but I knew a car would come along at some point. So I shooed them. Anxious wait as Billy gave up hanging around and Gus eventually came back all wide-eyed, fluffy, relaxed and having had a good time I hope.

He was in such a happy relaxed mood he let me pick him up and place his head and shoulders in catflap tunnel and even tried to nudge the flap as if he got the idea of what I was up to. But like I said in previous post, flap isn't working properly.

Right now he is asleep under the covers. Whether he'll be up for another midnight wander tonight...but then maybe I want an early night!

Cat flap blues

Seems I owe Gus an apology: The cat flap catch isn't working properly. He has been pushing up against it, it just hasn't been releasing for some reason. It clicks but seems stuck. I have reset it back to factory default and I shall start the registering process again. Maybe this time...! I need it on selective enter because next door's Billy has been in whilst it's been on manual! No, no, no!

in/out Gus

I opened the front door and coaxed Gus out late this evening. He scuttled along the pavement and across the dead quiet road. Well, nothing for it but to wait. I watched from an upstairs window and saw him run in the drive as traffic went by behind him. Hope he learned from the experience. He then went off in safe direction across the garden.

I was still unsure as to whether I had in fact successfully programmed his microchip into new cat flap. I decided to set it to record for when Gus came through and to prop it open with the hall light left on to make it as easy for him as possible, and in case pushing the flap itself might be an issue.

Bingo! Gus came through okay, the indicator light switched off so the flap should recognise him next time. As long as he pushes the flap to get back in. So, when I have witnessed him coming in from outside pushing the flap I can be sure that all is working as it should and that Gus has mastered the technique.

He came in from outside and dived into his cave under the bed. Five minutes later and he is on open windowsill avidly watching I know not what! Clearly the night is exciting.

He is sleeping all afternoon at the moment. Obviously got siesta genes...! Cuddly, affectionate and wary when up and about.

Gus evening!

Gus's second outing tonight! Me sitting outside front door and calling to him was all the encouragement he needed. Shoots across into next door's garden & vanished. Well I spotted him but he definitely was feeling bold and staying out longer than first time. I kept calling every now and again so he'd be aware of me. It started raining. I went in.

Decision: do I leave door ajar or close it to encourage Gus to use cat flap? He'd not used yet so would he "get it"? I watched out from an upstairs window and eventually saw him scurrying up to front door. He turned away so I ran down and pushed the flap open calling him and he came through. Result!

There had been some miaowing - a territorial skirmish probably. Gus was in one piece, relaxed and happy. I feel he is properly launched. The cat flap is set to open so he can start coming and going at will.

Gus was wet and had dirty paws. Bet he loved it!

Indiana Gus...!

In case you may be wondering about my letting Gus explore first floor windowsills and ledges, I shall explain. Since his Gus-capade the other week he was freaking out at the front door. He'd be looking at it and twitching his tail. And if I was going out he shot under the bed into his cave. This didn't bode well for encouraging him outside and using the catflap if he wouldn't even go near the front door.

I sensed he is curious and wants to go out but is nervous and the front door seemed a no-go area. So the windows were a half-way house. Trying to tip the balance in favour of excitement and curiosity over nerves and fear.

I decided that this weekend might be "lets try and get Gus out the front door to explore" time. I am thinking that the catflap will be too traumatic for him, so how about just opening the door and me sitting there and let him come down in his own time. Yesterday nothing doing. I opened the door he skedaddled into hiding. He is quite lively and playful in the mornings and on a Sunday street is a lot quiter, so Round Two. The sun was shining, puffy white clouds breezing across a blue sky... time to sit out and try again. I sat in my folding picnic chair by the front door with a cup of tea (could be a long wait, I figured).

He'd disappeared into hiding, of course, as soon as I picked up my front door keys. I came back in to do some coaxing and he decided to go out with me in close pursuit.

He was exploring in next door's garden away from the road. So far so good. He did a round I think of next door then came back and looked like he was heading for the road via open driveway, I headed him off, he went indoors, back into hiding!

I sat there and waited. I called out to him. Eventually a sneaky peak told me he was top of the stairs. He came down and went out again and had a bit more mooch about. Then he decided he'd had enough and came indoors.

Gus went out. Gus came back in, safe and sound.

Oh happy Gus!

Gus got over his fright. Total fun muffin now! Running about the flat, very affectionate, playing, watching out the windows - lots of bird action which he watches avidly. My idea of putting up mesh at two of my windows with different views so Gus could experience the sounds and smells and get used to them before venturing outdoors seems to have gone down well.

We've had a week of him behaving very relaxed and at ease. Experiments with open upstairs windows (no mesh) went well if a little tense for me. But he came towards me and let me reach and take hold of him and bring him in off the top of window frame!!!! Talk about balancing act! My previous cat used to do something similar. He was calm as a cucumber and relaxed in my arms so that was all good.

I decided that was quite enough excitement for the both of us for one day!

Spooked Gus

Over the Bank Holiday Gus met my mum, who came over to visit. He was friendly sociable and at ease. Relaxed Gus.

Then it was the first work day on the street since Gus came home with me. Lots of noise and activity as next door were having builders in too as well as general traffic. Spooked Gus.

Under the covers and didn't come out all day!!!! I put some biscuits in my hand and went under covers as I was sure he must be hungry. He gobble them up. I kept feeding him some until he stopped eating. Later that night he did emerge and played and played and scampered about, to my relief. However next morning straight back under covers.

This went on for a few days. A friend visited, and not sociable this time! Under covers again! So I decided no more visitors till Gus recovers.

He was coming out at night when the outside environment was calmer quieter and less busy. He would cuddle up to me on the bed and come into the kitchen for food. He was also lively and frolicking about in the early morning before the road got busy when it was back under covers. So I wasn't unduly worried.

I just gave him space and time and let him be and stroked him now and again from outside the covers and occasionally slipping my hand under to fuss him. We wait. Patience. Slow... trust  isn't won quickly. He is one nervous pussycat.

a little Gus-capade

Yes, he shot out the door didn't he! Sitting at the top of the stairs looking nonchalant like he wasn't at all bothered whilst I was sneaking something out the front door. Then woosh he was out. I got between him and the open driveway to the road, and he felt a bit hemmed in, and decided shooting straight back indoors was the plan. So all's well that ends with Gus safely back inside!

He has got a taste for the outdoors now, I think. I shall be getting him a harness with a lead to let him explore outdoors safely till I feel confident to let him roam free. There will be introductions with next doors cats too. Although one of theirs is missing. I hope he comes home to them.

I have also ordered a cat flap. The sort that reads the microchip under the cat's skin. Gus has one of these embedded between his shoulders. I can't be doing with collars. And I need to keep other cats out.

He has taken to curling up on a bedroom chair today. Has a rug on it for his use. My previous cat Emily liked sleeping there. But my bed is still his top spot!

Night night everyone!

Saint Gus muses...

All rescue cats have a past and they can also have a future...

Gus chilling

What a handsome cat!

He is flopping his way round the house...various chairs, different spots on the floor... He is nervous of the kitchen for some reason. Wouldn't go in at first but I coaxed him and he is okay now though a little bit wary. I put the washing machine on today for first time since he arrived and wondered how he'd react. He looked at it, twitched his ears and carried on not really bothered. Good!

Silly Gus

Well today, says Gus, I got my head stuck in a paper bag and gave myself a fright!! I charged across the room(with bag on head) couldn't see where I was going, knocking a table over and sending some coffee splashing everywhere. Luckily this wasn't held against me and after retiring under the covers for a few hours until my nerves steadied, I was back to my usual bouncy friendly self.

Note: the coffee cleared up okay.

Sleepy Gus

Gus was so excited he was having trouble keeping still. He was on me, on one windowsill, then hopping off into the next room to look out of that window and back again, then flop, then up, then round again!

During the night I heard him scampering about and quite a few of his toys, including those handed on by his previous owner, were strewn about the place when I looked the following morning. But all that midnight playtime has its consequences and Gus spent most of that following day... Saturday I think, sleeping. He was very dozy. I got up before him! He stayed on the bed and snuggled into the bedclothes!

So far each morning I have woken up I have found Gus on the bed snuggled up to me. First at my feet but last few mornings by my shoulder, almost on my pillow beside me. This suits me just fine. I turn over he adjusts has a yawn and settles back again. He isn't there all night I don't think. He has slept in his bed and  on my armchair as well so far. But at some point he snucks into bed with me. I don't notice so he has good stealth skills!

 

 

 

Gus's namesake

I rather like this panting of St Augustine, Gus's namesake. He is often depicted as deep in thought. In this particular image I feel his humanity as well as a stillness coming through.

This blog may include random St Augustine items as and when I come across them!

My life needs a cat, always.

Angelfish

First day report!

Cat joy all round!

Yesterday I went to the RSPCA centre and brought my newly adopted cat home. Gus, formerly known as Junior, is named after St Augustine whose Saint's Day happens to fall in this month of August. A good boy cat name I feel. Of course, he'll get endearingly called Gussy, Gustinius, Gussy Gus Gus and who knows what else!

I live in a first floor flat and plan to keep Gus in for a while as is usual. Before he arrived I got some wire mesh and made mesh frames for two windows so Gus can see, hear, smell and take in the sounds of the neighbourhood whilst being kept safe and me being able to have my windows open to let the cool breeze in.

ARRIVAL
Well, we arrived home about 3.30 in the afternoon and I placed Gus in his carrier box in my bedroom. I decided to leave the box closed up at first just to allow him to calm down and adjust a bit. After about half an hour I removed the grill door and left him there still. He was tucked up nose buried in the cat bed that was in the box with him. I have a technique for getting a cat in a box in a quick swift few moves with minimal distress to all concerned. It worked very well with my previous cat - who had necessitated my developing and perfecting this skill! Took a few goes with Gus and may need to adapt the technique. The cat bed is integral to the technique.

QUIET TIME
I popped my head in the room every now and again to check on him give him a little stroke or head rub. He stayed put.

Then I went in and he was not in the cat box. Where is Gus? I found him under the chest of drawers. He'd found himself a cave. Ahhh. Stayed there for a few hours. He moved around a bit. I put a couple of his toys that he'd liked from his previous owner nearby which he rested his paw on. He would alternate disapearing right under the drawers to creeping to the front just enough so I could see an ear and he could see me. I'd occasionally give him a little fuss if he was near the front. I decided to leave him for a while and was busy in the other room.

ACTION TIME
About nine o'clock in the evening, I went in and lay down on the floor beside the chest of drawers and stetched my hand in to find Gus and give him some fussing. As I rubbed and stroked his head behind his ears, under his chin, he began to purr. Result! I decided to persevere. He then pulled himself on the carpet a bit closer to me and the edge of the chest of drawers. Then inch by inch he moved himself forward:l first an ear came out, then half his head, then all of his head, his shoulders, then hey presto he came out, stood up, stretched and it was full on rubbing and purring and love for almost an hour!!!!

LOVE & FUN TIME
I sat on the bed and patted it and with barely any hesitation he was up and in like Flinn! Much more comfortable for me than lying on the floor. He was rubbing against me like I needed polishing and what purrs! They got rumblier and louder as the evening wore on. I got some toys out and encouraged him into the living room and to explore the flat. He was wary of the kitchen for some reason. He found the litter tray in the bathrroom okay and used it. So all good there.

The mesh at the windows has been a great hit. He bounced from one windowsilll to the other in great excitement for ages. A moth fluttered against the outside which was of great interest to Gus.

BED TIME
Well, it was jump on the bed, rub rub rub, jump off the bed, jump on the windowsill, then back again, then under the covers, then out, then all of it all over again! He flopped at the foot of the bed by my feet in between all this activity. I don't know where he slept most of the night but I awoke in the morning to find him at my feet on the bed nestled beside me.

I think he is happy to live here with me. I already love him to bits.

:D
Angelfish