Meet Olive. She came to us from the home of a cat hoarder. She was one of more than 25 cats taken from a home in Spokane in January.
She came to us very frightened. This picture was taken moments after arriving at our house. She quickly ran behind our messy toilet and was very scared.
Her next hiding spot was behind this cooler. She stayed behind the cooler for 2 days. She would hiss at us when ever we came near.
We would sit on that bucket with the blanket on top each day and just talk to her to try and ease her fright.
Each day we made a little progress. On day 3 or 4, Olive decided that the kennel was a suitable place to hide. She would alternate between here and behind the cooler on the floor as her comfort changed.
She wouldn't let us pet her, just looking at her was a challenge for her nerves.
She had a lot of visitors while she was hiding. Especially Maybelle. She was persistent. Always waiting for her to come out. All for not.
By about the 1 week mark she was starting to come out in our presence. At this point we were able to pet here a little bit, but just on the head, and she was quick to swat at you if she didn't like it.
This day was a big day for Olive. She came out of the kennel, all the way, right in front of me. We used toys to lure her out.
By the middle of the second week she was starting to flirt a little.
She would even let Kelsi hold her, briefly.
Her and Maybelle came face to face for the first time. There was a lot of hissing and then Olive retreated. They played this dance for days.
She would follow this ball and yarn all around the storage closet.
We used it to get her more comfortable with areas that she hasn't been before. Like the top of this vegetable rack.
She started staying on the rack at night and watching out at us from the darkness of the closet.
She finally left the storage closet on the tenth day at our house.
This is after a month of patient work. Maybelle and Olive hanging out in the living room.
This is Olive in the bed with momma. She has come so far.
She now hangs out with us on the bed and enjoys being pet. It is amazing how far she has come. Kelsi really did a great job with the pet therapy on this cat. She spent hours sitting in the closet, just being near Olive. She was so patient with her, and it really helped Olive become as comfortable as she is now. She still can be timid at times, but she is coming along very well and a perfect fit for our house.
Thanks for reading!
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