The Cats in My Life: Boots

They say that an adult feral cat can't be socialized. Well, let me tell you about "Boots", a feral cat. She is a "tuxedo" cat who had been around the neighborhood for at least fifteen years. During those years the only care we could give her was food and (when we were lucky), catching the kittens for neutering, shots and ear clipping. Fifteen years, at least three litters a year - you do the math. Over the years Boots, with great dignity, learned to trust me and allow me to pet her. She brought her babies to my yard and, as long as I kept my distance, tended to them here. She formed a strong bond with her babies , and the babies hung around even after she had new babies. Boots was a hunter par excellence and her babies were always well nourished and well trained. She taught them to hunt, be clean and to distrust everyone, including me.

She is an elderly lady now. About 3 years ago I was able, finally, to catch Boots and have her spayed. She had certainly done her bit toward preserving the species.

Although I felt she was wearing herself out having babies, I watched her lose her edge and quickly age with no more babies to care for. Many times I tried to lure her into the house to no avail. Last fall I knew (and I think she knew) she wouldn't make it through the cold months and I was finally able to get her inside. She had lost weight and looked really battered. She stayed to herself for about a month but finally began to socialize. I noticed she was having trouble chewing food and whisked her off to the veterinarian for dental care.

I was crushed when told she has squamous cell carcinoma in her mouth and that there is no treatment for it.

She would probably go quickly.

A year later she has become a true member of my menagerie. Returning to the vet recently her gums looked pink and healthy to me. But the vet said it's still there.

Boots continues to function inside, she sleeps a lot (as do most cats) and eats like a teenage boy. If anyone tries to get near her food she gives them a smack on the head, much as she did her kittens when they got too rambunctious. She has made herself the matriarch of my clan. The other cats are respectful of her and she can stop them dead with just a look.

This "feral cat" likes to be brushed and have her ears scratched. Because of her cancer she sometimes drools, a smelly, viscous, seepage. When she sleeps she rests her chin on her feet or legs, hence they got all matted, and this she didn't like cleaned!
She has always been docile with me but I don't push her. But she allowed the doctor to spend 30 minutes cleaning her legs and brushing them. She felt better with her legs clean and since then has kept them pristine! The drooling has abated over time, I don't know if this is a good thing or not.

She loves to be petted, leaning against my leg when I stroke her. All I can do for her now is love her and feed her, Groom her and allow her to live and die with dignity, surrounded by love. An adult "feral cat" who shouldn't, according to conventional wisdom, have been able to be socialized.

It is a year and a half since this was written. Boots has beaten the odds by two plus years.

She is, I believe, beginning to fail now, lost some weight but still eats well. Mostly baby food with a little meat mixed in.

She still wants affection and brushing, she must be approaching her twentieth birthday. I don't think she can still be called "feral", she has blended completely into the rhythms of the house and the other cats. She is treated with respect by all.

Boots is a testament to survival against the odds. She is my Hero.