Temptation Therapy

biped...."There are no pet therapists in the Ozarks. I'm not sure there are any in the state for that matter. Sheesh is my feral tuxie, sister to the luv muffin Heesh. I've had both for about ten years and they are night and day when it comes to personalities."

biped...."In this "before" photo you can see the fear in Sheesh's eyes. For ten years she's "existed" in a fearful limbo where she dreaded any form of contact, either physical or verbal. Reach out to touch her and she would cringe and slink away. Speak to her, and an observer would think that she'd been struck with a barb-wire whip. Eye contact? You can forget that too. If she saw you looking at her she'd panic because a look might mean that you'd approach to pet her. We'd joke about her being part bat because she spent most of her time under the bed, only to come out at night."



biped...."So Eightish weeks ago I started keeping a bag of Temptations on my desk and started Temptation Therapy on Miss Sheesh. For the first few weeks not much progress was made (except for all the other cats became my best moochy friends). Then about a week ago Sheesh started meowing at me. She wouldn't let me touch her, but she'd walk to the end of the bed and ask for her treat. When I'd turn and face her she'd let me speak to her and would even answer back."


biped..."And then about week seven, Sheesh discovered that she could PLAY! (Thank you Island Kitties for all those catnip toys). We do have a little more work to do on teaching Sheesh to share."

biped...."And then this week, the bestest miracle happened. Sheesh allowed us to "touch" her. She actually came up to us seeking a touch with no Temptation bribes needed. (ok, she probably wanted some)."