I've just fed Ninja his dinner, and while I was emptying the pouch in his bowl (crouching in front of it
) he got off his ledge and walked past me, rubbing against my **** in a loving sort of way (
). Then he walked round me and when I was done and looking around to tell him his foodies were ready to be eaten, he was sitting in the door opening between the conservatory and the kitchen
(quite a step, given he knows very well that I have to walk past that spot to go back into the house!).
So I reached out and he loved on my hand for a little bit, then I stood up and he crossed in front of me (in front of my
feet even!) and went to his bowl.
I'm so proud of him! He's doing so well, I really wasn't expecting him to recover this fast from the carrier thing, but this is something he's
never done - and he didn't seem scared-but-brave through any of it! I have never had him be so close to my feet while I was standing up straight of his own volition (though I have walked past him this close, but then he was eating breakfast, at which point the world could explode for all he cares
).
He's also gone back to squeaking when I come toward him for petting (I have never heard him meow a full meow, more like a clipped version or a squeak -
very cute). He still hisses when anyone who isn't me comes near (unless I am there, and if he knows them he will let them pet him - but he hisses a little warning at first, very short and concise). Earlier, I was walking toward him (he was on his ledge) and held out my hand, and he hissed a hiss that ended up garbled and then turned out to be a purr and rubbed his head against my hand
So I think the hissing is, with me, more habit than aught else (although with me, he's not done it in ages and I think that one was a mistake). With others, I think it's a warning, but he
really enjoys being petted once they're at it.
I have told everyone who's here lots that they have to stop petting before he gets tired of it. I don't mean to keep him yearning for more, but I want petting to be an exclusively positive experience and not something he gets bored with until he's doing better.
I think this time, we're well and truly on the road to recovery, and not a lot's going to blast us back to Go (do not collect £200). It makes me really, really happy
And there I go again, waffling on... Just remember, it's for posterity
