YABCU™

[kaasirpent]

When my friend ian_smith visited for just one night after Labor Day, Matt skulked around the house for 2 weeks, not coming out or letting me touch him, and staying only in my bedroom suite where Ian never set foot. They were the only "safe" rooms free of the Ian Taint™.

Then, just as he was getting over that, I had a leak in the ceiling of my living room, which caused me to have to move my TV and one of the recliners out of the way of the dripping water. This changed the room and it was therefore Evil.

When he was finally beginning to get over that insult, I let the roofer in to look at the interior damage.

After that, my friend geek_72 stayed the weekend.

Even after all that, Matt only took a couple of days to re-enter the rooms with Brian Taint™ or Roofer Taint™.

Then the roofer and the insurance inspector guy were in the house for a few minutes a couple of days ago.

For some reason I cannot fathom, he has completely regressed. He was getting better. Now, I can't get within 15 feet of him. He won't let me touch him. He won't come into the living room at all. He'll sleep in the bed with me, but not if I acknowledge him in any way, such as looking at him, petting him, saying anything, or moving.

He stays in the kitchen, cat-loafed on the little throw-rug between the sink and the stove, not daring to put his head down for fear that I might Acknowledge Him™

<sigh> I don't know what to do for him. I'm at my wits' end trying to figure him out.

Comments

[feuervogel]

A friend of mine who does cat rescue (botia) recommends a book called The Cat who Cried for Help for problem cats. She's probably got some simple behavioral things you can try, since she's working on rehabbing a feral cat right now. If you PM her, tell her I sent you.