Friday, November 20, 2009

Playful Herman

I managed to get a much better picture of Herman this morning. Since I knew that the light level was high enough that the flash wouldn't go off, I got much closer to him. I know now, thanks to your kind advice, that I shouldn't be shooting toward the window, as I still am here, but I was close enough and low enough that the picture came out all right. I took this picture just after our cuddle and play session and he was still making biscuits on the carpet. He loves it when I get down on the floor with him. I think the hopping up on the bed and hopping off was him testing to see whether it was allowed and if he felt comfortable enough with me to join me. He slept on my feet for a few hours Wednesday night. I was expecting him to meow me awake for breakfast Thursday morning, but he didn't. This was probably because I noticed just before I went to bed that he had eaten almost all of his Stinky Goodness, so I gave him some more. I think one of his previous families had punished him for jumping up on the furniture because when I got up early to put out the trash bin, he was sitting on a big pillow I had put on top of some storage boxes in front of the window near the bird feeder. As soon as he noticed me, he jumped down and ran as if he had been caught doing something wrong. He is slowly learning that jumping up on the furniture in this house is allowed, though he still very rarely does it. When I went back to bed after putting out the trash and making sure that he wasn't ready for more food yet, I had just gotten settled in good when I heard a meow from the foot of the bed. I scratched on the covers and told Herman that it was OK and he joined me in bed. He came up to me and I gave him some scritches. Then the most amazing thing happened. I had my hand flat on the bed scritching his cheek when he nestled his head into the palm of my hand, closed his eyes, started purring and went to sleep. Now that is trust and love.

Herman is making great strides in the playing department. At first he would only bite and paw at his toys for a minute or two, then lose interest. After I got him the kicker toy, he started bunnykicking. Today I noticed that he is batting them around. Tomorrow I am going to try out Da Bird on him again. The first time I tried it, he just watched it for a few seconds, then walked away. The second time, I waved it around slowly, then let it stop and he walked up and sniffed the feathers for a bit before walking away. Now that he is batting toys around, maybe he will bat at it. This morning I rolled a ball for him and he chased it. That was the first time that I had seen him show any interest in the ball at all. I found one of his little mousies in the kitchen and scooted it across the floor to him. He batted it around so vigorously that he knocked it under the dishwasher. He was so disappointed when it disappeared. I got down and looked, but couldn't see it and I couldn't feel it, as far as I could reach. I think he must have knocked it over the hose and way to the back and it just might have to stay there. He meowed at me for a long time after I gave up trying to get it out. Of course, I brought him a new toy when I came home from work. It's like a miniature tennis ball with a fuzzy tail. He groomed the tail, but didn't seem much interested in the rest of it. I do notice that most of the toys change position during the night. I think Herman will be completely over his depression very soon. I got his vet papers today and they state that he just turned two in June. The shelter had told me that he was three or four. No wonder he was so depressed, going through two homes in one year and eleven months, with the second one not being much of a home at all. I wonder how long he will sleep with me tonight.

42 comments:

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Oh my, he's soooo handsome. Love the little black triangle nose inside the bigger white triangle! it sure sounds like he's feeling a lot more at home and safe. The two of you are lucky to have found each other!

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

He has SUCH unique markings, even more so than ours!! (and that is saying something cause we think we're pretty darn unique!!)

Puss-in-Boots said...

What a beautiful boy! He is just lovely. It sounds as if he's settled down really well in the short time you've had him.

I can't understand why the previous owners had a cat if they didn't let him inside. My two rule the roost and jump up where they feel like it...even if I'm in one of the recliners, I have a cat up on the back and the other on the footrest...no rest for with wicked!

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

Herman, you are one fine looking mancat! Wow!

Glad to hear you are settling in well!!! You two sounds very sweet, getting to know each other!!

Parker said...

This is fast and wonderful progress, what a handsome boy Herman is!

The Creek Cats said...

Wow, Herman is one handsome mancat!!

The Meezers or Billy said...

Herman you is furry hansome!!!! and YAY for you snuggling your mom!

The Monkeys said...

It is so wonderful to hear he is doing well with you! We're so happy he has a home where he's allowed to do what he wants! He's such a cutie!

Rosemary B❤️ said...

OH. MY. Herman is adorrrrrable, er- I mean, handsome. I love his face, so cute - er, dignified.
WHITE PAWS??? yikes. I am loving those.

This was a fantastic shot of your boy KarenJo. I love him!

I hope both of you have the best day ever!

One Cats Nip said...

Just as I suspected, Herman is handsome! It's great to hear how well you two are getting along and so quickly too! I'm so happy for both of you!

Lisa Kolosey said...

It's wonderful to hear all your new kitty stories...it brings me back to thoughts of mine. Herman is a very handsome fellow and it sounds like you are doing a great job making him feel comfortable and at home...in his forever home.
~Lisa Co9T

Jans Funny Farm said...

this is wonderful news. And Herman is really cute.

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Herman is a handsome boy! We are glad he is is starting to snuggle!

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Herman is just gorgeous! We are so happy to read that you two are settling in so well. We love that Herman is learning to trust you and that you are more than happy to have him on the furniture in the house.

We look forward to more Herman pictures.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Herman that makes so sad that you went through so many homes. I am glad you found TODAY'S winner of WHEN I was (I have no doubt it was due to your intelligence) and that you have a good forever home!

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

What a handsome dude!!!!!!!!!! We are all so happy that Herman is settling in so well.....he seems to have built a lot of trust in you already and that will just continue.....YAY for you and Herman!!!!!!
xxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Herman yoo is furry good lookin! Perhaps if yer mom bean gives yoo positives pets and puts yoo on furniture herself yoo wud get da hint dat it is okay! Shhhh dun tell the big male bean but the mom lets us on the table when he isnt here and we know its okay but when he is here we dun do it. Yoo jus has to know yer limits wif sum beans. But it sounds like yoo is trustin her and we know it will be OKAY!

Has yoo checked out Mr Hendrix he has one of da issues yoo has too - he may have helpful advice on.

The Island Cats said...

What a handsome boy Herman is!! And we know it's just a matter of time before he becomes comfortable in his new home!

Everycat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Everycat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Everycat said...

It's gonna be typing lessons for our ape - more typos so another repost!

Ooops made some typos so reposted!

Herman is SO handsome! What a beautiful and expressive face. It's lovely to read about him learning to relax and play. The head in hand whilst purring is a real honour you know. Herman is going to be fully out of his shell very soon. He could not have come to a better home with a kinder person.

It's handy to keep a long thin bamboo cane around for digging out toys from under the appliances - it will get lots of use hehe!

Whicky Wuudler & Family

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Herman is learning trust and love. Angel would not get on the furniture when she first came here. Now she sleeps on teh sofa all day. At night both cats will only sleep at our feet.

Daisy said...

What a handsome Mancat he is! Herman must think he has found heaven.

Ivan from WMD said...

Oh my Bast, I am so sorry I missed all this excitement! How wonderful for you both. It sounds like Herman knows for sure he's got a forever home, and you have a forever friend! Congratulations!!!

The Devil Dog said...

What a great photo of Herman! We think you are right about someone punishing him if he climbed on the furniture and the jumping on the bed to see if it was allowed.
It sounds like he is settling in very well. Putting his head in your hand basically says it all. We love hearing everything about him, so don't stop, okay?

Roxy & Lucky & mom

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

He's home!
He's home!!
He's home!!!

And he KNOWS it!

Tank woo from all of us that needed one of our own!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

We are so happy that Herman is settling into his forever home so well.

It was so sweet to read that her nuzzled into your hand and purred and went ta sleepyland...

Mebbe iffen ya actually put him on some furniture and scritch him there, he will learn it is an OK place ta be.

GLOGIRLY said...

What a BEAUTIFUL photo of your new friend! I can tell he's just a sweetheart. By getting down really low next to him you've got a great camera angle too!

Enjoy getting to know each other. We are so happy for you.

Glogirly & Katie

Anonymous said...

He is a beauty! Lovely markings. Plan to have many more toys lost under dressers, washing machines etc. I keep a stash of extra mousies and balls to replace the ones that get lost. whne I clean good I find them all and save them for the next round. Have fun with the little guy!

Ikaika said...

Herman is very handsome, Miss Karen Jo! He couldn't have found a better forever home!

Kaz's Cats said...

He's one good-looking kitty, that Herman, with a lovely purrsonality by the sounds of things. It sounds like you guys are getting along great,

Purrs

Gypsy & Tasha

Milo and Alfie said...

Welcome to Herman. What a gorjuss boy he is, We are thrilled he has a lovely forever home with yoo. It sounds like life has been hard for him (in and out of care) but it's just taken a turn towards purrfect!

Cat with a Garden said...

Such a young mancat and a very handsome one! We love his dark nosie. And how he curled up in the palm of your hand and went to sleep made our hearts feel all warm and fuzzy.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are glad Herman is settling in so well. He is a handsome mancat with his cute white triangle.

Forty Paws said...

Oh goodness! We didn't know that you found a wonderful cat!!! We think he is adjusting very well to you and your home! He is SOOOOOO KYOOOOOOT!

Luf, Us

Anonymous said...

Herman is GORGEOUS! And we like your whale!

Noll's Nip said...

Hi Herman. Nice to meet you. I look forward to hearing all about you!

Sabrina, Sam and Simon said...

Herman, you are so absolutely handsome that it took all of our breath away, and we are so glad you have a new furrever home and are settling in so well that it is making our eye leak happy tears!
Purrs and headbutts,
Sabrina, Sam and Simon

Cindy said...

Such a handsome boy.
cindy

Sunny's Mommy said...

Congratulations to Herman, and to you, too :-) He's a very handsome boy.

caspersmom said...

Herman is quite the ManCat. Love the stories you tell of him and I have to agree with you. I also think that he is getting over his depression. I also think no one played with him very much. He is going to be so happy that he has a mom like you

Victor Tabbycat said...

Since him likes catnip, be sure to put sum on da scratchers. We lern quick if UP is NO or OK. I thot kitchen counters was fur kitties an all food on counters, too, but Mom an Dad just brushed me down efurry time an I lerned in a couple days... don't get caught on da counter.
Purrs,
Victor