Early this morning when I went in to feed. I experienced the most amazing moment with my cats. I had just gotten in the door and shut it, and I turned around and they were running to me. I bent down to say good morning to each one of them, but as usual, Ashley was missing. So I was talking to Bentley, and stroking Magoo, and trying to pay attention to PITA and not ignore Pigeon. I was wishing I had more hands and arms so that I could pet each one of them at the same time. When all of a sudden I am petting Ashley!

She had snuck in without me noticing. She was rubbing my ankles when I looked down and saw her. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I very softly called her name, I started petting her, and she allowed it! There was no hostility, she didn’t draw her claws, she didn’t growl or hiss at me. She just kept rubbing my ankles and walking in the circle so that I could pet her. It was a magical moment. I may be repeating myself, but it was magical.

Every part of me wanted to scoop her up and take her into the house, groom her and get rid of all the massive mats that she has all over her body, but I didn’t. I am hoping in the next two weeks to be able to accomplish that without having to deal with a poop fest during the process. Anyway, that’s the plan.

When it comes to working with Ashley, I have found through trial and error that ignoring her is really starting to pay off. This morning, I actually was able to walk up to her while she was on one of the ramps and flea-treat her. This in itself is quite extraordinary, she allowed me to do it. I simply had to gently scruff her to keep her in place, while I put the topical on her. She did not poop, she did not pee, she did not freak out. After it was over, she stayed where she was for a few minutes and then she decided to leave.

I still have the challenge of figuring out how to take all those mats out of her. But I look at it as one challenge at a time. I have also been able to pet her from time to time without issues. However, the minute that I think about even removing one of the mats, she just takes off for the hills. Slow and steady may win this race.