I haven't been on GW for a while and was just getting ready to post a new pic when I saw your post. Perfect timing!

Ruby is doing GREAT. She's had the run of the house for several weeks now, but to my knowledge has only ventured down to the main level a couple of times, briefly. For some reason she feels safer upstairs. She hangs out in the office where all her 'stuff' is, my bedroom, my son's bedroom, and she also likes to lay and sleep on the rug in the front of the shower.
She comes down the steps each morning at treat time to get hers. That where I give them to her at, to try to get her more comfy with what's going on downstairs. She often sits on the stairs about half way down and watches what we are doing in the living room.
I've pet her briefly a few times, but she's still skittish. I've had to do it when she wasn't aware (busy playing with doggy or something).

My only petpeeve about her is that when she uses the litter box, she shreds the cat pan liner horribly. I have to change the liner every couple of days. I'm getting sick of doing that and cleaning the box to that extent because I have to dump out all the litter, re-line it, and then dump the litter back in it. That's getting old.

She really is doing great though. She and my Lucy are pals now for the most part. Occasionally Lucy will get in a huff with her, but it's rare anymore. Lucy actually defended her one day. It was hilarious. Ruby was pestering my little terrier, and Remy (the terrier) had had enough pestering, thank you very much. So she snapped at Ruby. Lucy saw her do that and immediately went crazy and tried to kick Remy's butt. (Lucy is my tuxedo female that had the hardest time accepting Ruby). I've yet to see them lay and cuddle together, but I bet it won't be too long.

I'm surprised that Ruby hasn't gotten curious about the Christmas tree downstairs and tried to investigate all the hanging ornaments. I guess I should be thankful!

Here's a picture I took of her this morning in my room.

Take care...Mindy

So nice to hear about Ruby...My, she's a pretty little girl...In reading your post, she sounds exactly like my tuxedo Kelly, one of my rescued little girls...Kelly lived in the spare bedroom for at least a month and now, that's the room she thinks of as her's...Like Ruby, she'll sit at the top of the steps or on the stairs and just watch...And like Ruby, 1st thing in the morning, she's in the kitchen rubbing up against you like crazy...She's 3 years old and I think I've only held her, maybe 4-5 times, but she's loves to be petted...In the evening, she lays on the end of the couch and at night, she's in her little bed in the hall outside my room....Surprisingly, mine haven't really been interested in the tree, so far...There have been years the tree was horizontal more than vertical.....
Thanks for letting us know about Ruby, she's a doll!

Ruby continues to come around. Traditionally each morning before she gets her treat, I get to reach up on the stair where she is waiting and rub and pet on her. She purr's.....
The past two mornings, I woke up to find her cuddled up next to me in the bed. As soon as my arms come out from under the covers she takes off, but it's progress!

Mindy

Thanks for the update...Love to hear about these fur babies....Wow, cuddling in bed, that great....My dear little Kelly still will not get up on the bed...Of course her sister and brother make up for it and there's not much room left for her...She's quite content to sleep in her little fleece bed right outside the bedroom door....
You have made a lot of progress, bless your heart!

I just stopped in here to wish all my lifesavers a happy holiday and saw Irish's post - very timely.

Mindy, that is terrific, and she is a beauty !

My Momma Dora is doing fantastic as are her babies. She is now good friends with my chubby tuxedo Boxer who is a bit older, but who is very tolerant of her youngster behavior (Momma is at the most 2 years old).

Momma's like a dog when Boxer comes in the room...with her head down and butt in the air, she shuffles around playfully then charges toward him only to stop short in front of him and go nose to nose to say hello. He's use to it now so he doesn't hiss, he just sits there and accepts the attention. They have their routine and play and nap together on the bed.

Like Ruby, Momma is most comfortable in her upstairs space, but often comes down to the main and basement floors to see what's going on. She is still skittish outside her home base, but she's making tremendous progress.

My old girl Sophie, who is recently losing weight and might be dealing with kidney disease (will be getting more test this week) is not so tolerant, but it all works out ok. There's no screaming and stuff, just jockeying for position with some aggressiveness.

Its one big cat party at night, with all three babies on the bed. I sometimes sleep in there with them, but they're fine by themselves.

Momma's babies Figaro and Buster are also doing very well. Their world expanded into the dining room, and soon they'll have the run of the house. Buster, the tough guy, has actually turned into the biggest mush and loves to cuddle. Figaro is more independent but still a love.

Their human mommy loves them and I think will have a hard time going back to work when she's healed from her surgery. She's quite attached to those two.

We were just talking about those first 5-6 weeks and how awful they were. It's amazing what perseverance will accomplish. I get very misty thinking of those babies and Momma and the extreme pleasure they bring to us, and how fortunate we were for them to wander by.

None of this would have been possible without the help of the kind people in this forum...Laurie, Irish, Mindy (misery loves company), and EVERYONE who chimed in. I wish I could meet every one of you and give you a giant hug.

My best to everyone this holiday season. If it is true that good things come to good people, then you will all have the most joyous and healthy new year.

Happy holidays my friends,
Sue

Sue, A very big hug back to you...Talk about getting misty....Loved ready about Momma Dora and the babies....After reading so much about Dora and Ruby, I feel so connected, like part of the family....Thank you both so much for letting this Grammy know about all the fur babies....
The Merriest of Christmas to you both and special kitty kisses to all the "kids"....

Just a quick update and a shout out to Mindy to see how she's doing with Ruby.

Momma Dora is doing great. She is completely assimilated into the family and loves , loves, loves all her new friends and hiding places. She can often be found hiding under one of the couch flaps in the living room. If course I can see her because her tail is hanging out!

I have moved her kitty litter to the basement with the others, and she is fed right with the other furballs, Boxer and Sophie, in the kitchen. She has found her favorite spots, which Boxer then 'discovers', but she moves on to another.

I had the door open this morning and didn't realize she was right there. She could have bolted but I think she saw the snow and figured she was safer and warmer inside! She's one smart kitty.

She is quite playful, and sometimes the other, older cats aren't receptive to her playfulness, but for the most part there is peace.

There are also 'firsts' every day. The other day she sat next to me on the couch. I have no problem sleeping next to me, or being pet or brushed (she LOVES that) but she's never sat next to me on the couch until now.

She also love her new human daddy, often sitting next to him and happily accepting his touch. When we're in the kitchen, she is often sitting on one of the stools, checking out the activity.

In all, its been great.

Hope you are all well. Sue

Just a quick note that Momma is doing well and is perfectly at home with her new family. It's been 8 months since we snagged her and her and Boxer, our male tuxedo, are good friends, They're very playful with each other and enjoy spending time together.

The queen, Sophie, a tiny tuxedo, still hasn't accepted Momma but there's not much fighting so all is well.

Momma has found her comfy places, one of which is right beside me on the arm of the couch. She still loves her window seat and spends a lot of time in her room, where she stayed when she first came.

I most enjoy the morning when they get a good brushing before I put on my makeup. The three of them will lounge on the bed until I open the armoir, at which point they sit up at attention knowing they're getting a treat. I am so predictable apparently, and they are adorably predictable as well.

I hope Mindy is doing well with Ruby and thank all of you again for helping me acclimate Momma the right way. I believe that is why she is as comfortable as she is.

Now if I can just get her to lose a little weight, she's gotten a bit chubby!!

Sue

I think I must be a little physic, I had a feeling I'd turn on this machine and hear about Momma.....
So happy to hear all is well with your fur babies...Your household sounds so much like mine...Our "prince" Clancy still has problems with 1 of our girls and we've had the girls for almost 4 years...It just seems he needs to show who's boss and most of the time they ignore him...And our little princess, Kelly, sounds so much like Momma..She prefers to stay in her bedroom which was her "safe place" in the beginning....
I'm just so happy all is working our for you and the "kids". Thanks for posting