Here they are on the windowsill waiting for their daily lovin. I have to laugh because Sylvester is so jealous when Vaughn is getting pets that he walks all over the two of us as if to say: “Hey what am I? Chopped liver?”

As I leaned up to say good morning to Sylvester, Vaughn leaned over toward my face and gave me kitty kisses on my nose! I have to tell ya- I was NOT expecting that!

When I go in now they both fight for my attention and I wish God had given me more arms and hands to help them out a bit!

“Here let me help you Mom!”

Last night before I went to bed, we bored a hole into the wall big enough to fit a plug through. Although Mike was a calibration technician and electrician for thirty years or more, his days of running wire are long over. In order to get electricity into the new enclosure, I thought it easiest to put a hole in the board (It is not a wall) It was supposed to be as we were remodeling until Mike got ill- but it is just a board. So I bored a hole in it, stuck a plug through it- much to my surprise, the plug gets returned to me! I see a gray and white paw wave “You’re welcome Mom, you are always losing things!”

I stick the plug back through- boing!! It bounces back!

“Baker, you snot- knock it off!” I say and then push it back in and thread it down as quickly as I can.

I go rushing through the door before Baker decides this game is much to fun and he has to retrieve the item. I find him batting the plug back and forth looking mighty pleased with himself.

I retrieve the plug, using electrical tape, I bind it to the wall. Petting Baker, I inform him that I was sorry to take his prey away.

Here is Sylvester- on his third day up close and Purrsonal! LOL

One of the first things I do when new kitties arrive is go into the room where they are and sit on the floor and read to them, or pray, or just talk about my day. I do this on a routine schedule, only for about 20-30 minutes at a time. When I leave, I put tasty treats on the very spot my body was on the floor or carpet. This gets them used to my voice, it allows them to see I am not a threat as I stay low to the ground and never tower above them. And they start to understand that when they hear my voice, pleasant things happen to them- they get treats. I make my own treats- I detest packaged treats for both dogs and cats.

Yesterday, as I was reading to them a new book just sent to me for review called taming me- memoirs of a clever island cat, I feel this bump on my back. A gentle touch, not a strong headbump, but a soft nudge. I ignored it, smiled and kept reading.

Within minutes, Sylvester was standing in front of me checking me out. I didn’t make eye contact, just kept reading,my smile growing wider. He stood there trying to figure out this curious human who has not done anything to be preceived his predator. I just kept reading, but I snaked my arm out from under me and touched his side. He stood his ground. Closing my eyes, and putting the book down, I began to slightly stroke his sides and he went nuts! He laid down, and rolled on his belly. Knowing I was risking getting scratched, I still kept my eyes down away from his and started rubbing his belly. He is not a warrior (thank God) he is a lover. I was able to finally raise my eyes and keep track of what my hand was doing and where his paws were going. They were straight up in the air reaching and his belly was getting massaged and stroked. We were both in heaven.

Vaughn watched from a safe distance on the window and his ears were back. Although he wasn’t the one being petted, I could tell he was uncomfortable about this exchange. So I stopped, because I did not wish for my scent on Sylvester’s fur to cause friction between these two feline friends.

Feral or semi-feral? I think not and gratefully so. I think just misunderstood, perhaps others in the past hurting him or scaring him or expecting him to move forward on their schedule not realizing cats need time to figure out changes.

This morning when I went to feed, he came running out to rub against my legs while Vaughn once again kept vigil above.

10:20 a.m. pleased to report First Contact with Vaughn! He allowed me to stroke his beautiful back a few times before he moved away a short distance!

7:54 p.m. I am thrilled to report that Vaughn is now letting me pet him without incident! He hisses, but he is all bluff. What a beauty he is- he reminds me of a cat I had over 20 years ago named Bravo.

I am encouraged to report that this morning, both cats now named Sylvester and Vaughn are out and about exploring their inner world. The litter pans had action, they ate the wet food but not the dry. Vaugn is beautiful. He is SO Big he must have Maine Coon in him somewhere.

I went in to talk to them and refill their food bowls and clean a bit- they both scooted- Vaughn went behind the couch and Sylvester went up on the window.
When I went to leave, they both came out and were exploring again.

Here are what I hope better photos of their new digs

Tover looking in: “Aren’t I invited?”

Here you can see the newcomers, they do look unsettled- Vaughn’s ears are back and both cats are wide-eyed wondering what I expect them to do. But at least they aren’t hiding!

Was up all night last night working on the new enclosure. Mike helped as much as he could with it- holding tools and discussing how to build the walls and door and designing my idea making it a reality.

I love this enclosure, it feels homey and safe and there are two new kitties inside. They arrived here today both are neutered males, Sylvester is a tuxedo boy and Ninja is a big black boy with a white paw. Both were deemed unadoptable and no one wanted to give them a chance.

Apparently, Ninja has issues and he has a bad time inside carriers- getting out- flipping the carrier when he is in the car, pooping and peeing inside and just having a miserable time.

I took him inside the bathroom and our first meeting consisted of him getting a butt bath. He was pretty good, he hisses alot but he never tried to bite or attack me and I didn’t have to scruff him throughout the entire process. I threw his carrier away- they weren’t kidding when they said he flips his carrier in the car- there were so many cracks and holes in the darn thing.

I dried him off the best I could and put him into one of my top loaders- he was fine and I just carried him to the enclousure and let him and his brother out.

I’ve visited several times today and I like the fact that the enclosure is in a heavy traffic area so they can get used to the cats and other stuff that goes on here.

Ninja has ducked back behind the couch-YES, there is a couch inside the cage- but Sylvester has been out and greeted me a few times already.

I optimistically thought I could build this enclosure by myself with limited help from Mike in one day- HA! What was I thinking? Two of my friends; Deanna and Jim came over to help and the four of us put it up rather quickly. I am quite proud of it- but the photos don’t really do it justice (having issues with my camera).

God smiled on this idea of mine and in His Glory it now exists to help the cats.