Thread by @wedge9986

We're all a little bleary eyed, distracted and less productive than we could be today, so who wants a story? As the 2 year anniversary approaches of the day I took responsibility for Dee who wants to hear how it all happened? Tough, I'm telling you anyway.

I say the 2 yr anniversary, but I don't actually remember when I started feeding her. It was before Thanksgiving ... that's the best I've got.

I first saw her late summer/early fall of 2018. She just looked like a neighborhood cat. The only thing unusual was she didn't have a tail. I knew of Manx cats, but had no experience with them.

Then she started coming into the yard. I assume she smelled my fat and happy cats and wondered if there was enough to go around so she could be fat and happy too.

I tried to get pictures to post to see if anyone was missing a cat, but every time I went outside she ran. I tried to feed her, but she ran. My experience w/ stray cats was opening the door and letting them in. This was a completely different experience.

Well, she was feral so no one was missing her. I had no experience with feral cats so I did the best I could. I was not prepared for this. I put out a box and food and got a shelter tried to befriend her. I was not prepared for this.

It became clear that she was feral and I searched for solutions, but here's the thing, there aren't many. Shelters won't take them and offered very little help or advice. So I began researching TNR which was a thing I'd heard about.

I'd held out the hope that Dee was a male, but that delusion was shattered in mid January when Walter showed up.

Walter was a"good dude", to quote the vet tech at the clinic where his TNR was done. He was more stray than feral. He loved chicken and had a calming effect on Dee. I'll come back to his story a little later.

As I searched for information and a solution nature took it's course and inevitable happened ... Dee got pregnant. This was a dark time for me, because I felt like I failed her. I didn't find a solution in time.

That first winter was rough. We had a stretch of 3-4 days when it was -50 with windchill. How these cats survived I'll never know. I often say Dee is hard as nails and soft as a bunny. That winter is why. They are tougher than I am and will have my eternal respect.

Dee had 2 kittens around April 3rd, 2019 - at least that's when a neighbor found her and them in their shed. She moved them shortly after. I can't remember birthdays of family members, but I can remember the date she had her kittens. My priorities are a little off.

Sadly, as is often the case with feral cats, one of her kittens died. That was a really dark time because I had completely failed her. I was supposed to get her spayed and I didn't. I was supposed to protect her and her kittens and I didn't.

In May, I found a relatively new clinic that offered TNR classes and services. I jumped at it. Previous to this, I'd called around and even if I trapped her I couldn't find a vet that would spay/neuter feral cats.

Armed with knowledge and feeling confident, I set about trapping them both. Dee was spayed in May and Walter was neutered in June.

Before I forget, Dee's surviving kitten was found at around 6 weeks by a neighbor and given to a family friend. She was strong and healthy. I've only ever seen pictures ... and I swear I'm not bitter.

Walt was released on a Sunday. He came back 2 times that afternoon looking for Dee. He came back Monday evening then I never saw him again.

Almost 8 weeks to the day that he went missing, someone posted a "found cat" notice and this picture to nextdoor. After some back and forth, I was able to confirm it was Walter. He was safe. I sobbed with relief. I didn't realize how worried I was about him until that moment.

Walt moved back to his old neighborhood and is being cared for by a woman who is making great strides with his socialization. I talked w/ her in June and she adores him. I couldn't be happier for him.

Dee keeps progressing. She gets more and more used to me every day. I don't know I'll ever be able to socialize her, but I'll never stop trying.

Dee is a tiny ball of fluff and attitude. She is hard as nails and soft as a bunny. She has taught me a lot and will forever occupy my soul. Because of her, I will continue to work with stray and feral cats.

Stay tuned.