I finally caught Smurfy!
It took 1.5 hours of perseverance and patience.
Initially, I thought of other plans like removing the platforms leading up to the lookout, or even caging him for another 48 hours but caging would feel like a punishment for him. To cage him just to be able to feed him his medicine in the morning for two more days sounds extremely stressful and unfair, so that’s out though that would be the “easiest” solution.
Removing the platforms sounds more doable, but the metal frames that are screwed on to the wall would still be there and he can still use those to escape. Any cat worth his salt would be able to very easily balance on these frames.
So, I went back to the patience and food plan.
I knew he was hungry. And males might give in to hunger, unlike females (with the exception of Gerald where fear reigns supreme).
So I waited with food on the ground. Meanwhile, the Monsters were having an unexpected feast, thanks to Smurfy!
Finally, Smurfy came down when I put out another very fragrant kibble.
He approached very cautiously while I did absolutely nothing. He waited for awhile before he finally ate. I just watched him while he ate.
Then very slowly, I went into the house to get my phone and when I came out again, I was behind him.
I took this photo and I just stood behind him as he ate. He’s hungry, alright.
Then, very, very stealthily and quietly, I bent down slowly and I caught him!
Quickly brought him into the kitchen where I gave him his Promax without any problems at all. You see, the problem with Smurfy is in catching him. He’s really easy to feed medicines, so far.
I did it all as nonchalantly as I could so that it won’t seem like an intense scary episode for him. I have two more days of having to do this. But at least it’s one done today, and every day of Promax really helps.
Then I released him back to the catio as gently as I could, but he did not resume eating anymore. He fled up the platforms. The rest came to give him moral support and hopefully, praise!
There he is.
Well, at least he has eaten food and I’ve given him his Promax for the day.
As for tomorrow, we shall see how it goes.
Tabs and Ginger also escapes every morning when they know they need their medicines, but both will relent after awhile and appear for me to administer the medicines and subcut for Tabs. Perhaps they already know the drill and they know it’s good for them.
Smurfy doesn’t understand this yet and I certainly don’t blame him, especially when he is such a skittish cat.
Done for the day!!
Tomorrow will be another day.