The evolution of an abused cat into a beloved pet

I adopted Boots, a 2 year old gay Tabby about 6 weeks ago. I was told he had come from another shelter and that he did not like loud noises. The first evening in his new home Boots hid from us. Whenever we found him and tried to pull him from a corner or under a bed he hissed and clawed at us. In time Boots began to transform and now he is no longer a skittish rescue cat. He is a beloved family pet and lets us know every day. Boots now goes to the refrigerator and meows when he wants to eat. He stands by his water dish and mews when he is thirsty.

If he needs his litter box and a door is closed he runs behind us meowing and looking towards the door. Boots also sleeps on my stomach or chest which indicates he is comfortable with me. When I curl up on the couch to write stories Boots curls up beside me and purrs loudly which indicates he is content. His mew has evolved and now he does a lot of what is called trilling. Boots makes sounds like urrp and brrrr which experts reveal indicates that he loved us and feels loved by our family.

I began to recall that I never noticed any sounds by the traditional meow from the 16 cats I owned over time as a teenager. These were outdoor kitties and basically cried when they were hungry. My great grandmother adopted one of them as her own and he was a gray tabby named Tinkerbelle who became a house kitty. My great grandma would let him out to use the bathroom and to romp and play. When she wanted him back in the house she would stand at the door and call, "Kitty kitty Tink, kitty kitty Tink and he would come running.

Great grandma also fed Tinkerbelle food that was different than what I gave the other cats. She purchased him Tender Vittles which was a moist cat food that came in a pouch. When grandma called for Tink the other cats did not move as if they knew she was not talking to them. Tink would run past his siblings with his head held high as if he were better than they and that always amazed me. Tink also would brrr and urrp just like Boots is doing now.

I loved my cats and I rubbed them and talked to them to let them know they were loved but I guess there is a different intimacy when it comes to felines who live indoors. I thought of this as I watched the 3 neighborhood cats roaming the streets. They are black, gray, and orange. For 3 years these wild cats have survived without being anyone's pet. I have seen neighbors feed the orange one who comes just close enough for food then runs away. I feel sorry for these animals who will probably never know the love of an owner.

Since we have had Boots, the orange cat comes onto our back porch and mews as if he knows another cat is inside. Meanwhile inside the house Boots is running, jumping, and playing. He runs up and down the stairs and plays hide and seek with us. He enjoys his cat toys and also a few Christmas bulbs he found under a couch. Boots walks the back of the couch and jumps onto the fireplace mantle and is making himself at home. When he bites at us or bats with his paws, he never bites hard and does not scratch.

This is a huge difference from when he first came to us from the local ASPCA. When they told us he did not like loud noises, we were advised that it might take weeks for him to adapt to us. Instead, it only took a few days. Boots is making himself useful in other ways and we are grateful. We live in a 18 year old 2 story house with a dirt basement and an old fashioned attic. Field mice often can be heard in the walls and at times a few make their way into the house. Since Boots has been with us, the mice have calmed down and we no longer see them. Only on occasion do we hear sounds in the wall. This is a blessing until we can move because it would take too much money to fix up this house.

Boots went from being skittish to having the time of his life and I am so happy for him and us. I highly recommend that if you are an animal lover and enjoy cats you consider adopting one who really needs the love of a good family. The transformation in Boots has been amazing and his worth all the money went spent and will spend on him. To love and be loved is a blessing.