I think so, too. I'm quite smitten.

Oh no, that would be horrible! Did they get your neighbor's cats?

I don't recall seeing racoons around my neighborhood but I was worried about the bobcats we have. I don't leave their food out when they aren't there - they come to my door around meal time, usually twice a day. I've seen the ginger with a squirrel in his mouth, and just this week I was cleaning out the shrubbery around the house and found a stash of squirrel skeletons. Hopefully eating regularly will stop his need to hunt.

Oh, you are a very good person! The expense, especially for an older cat, is one of the reasons I hesitated to take on more cats but I guess it can't be helped. But not dozens! I think the ginger is a true feral because he's so hand shy (and he also knows how to hunt) but the grey may have been owned before and became lost, so I'm not sure either would even want a home.

@Lauren
The trust will grow, and they will let you know what they want.

@Lauren Likely the grey was left behind or turned out by someone who didn't want him/her anymore and the Orange may well be a feral from what you are saying. I have two cats one was part of a litter who were put up for adoption at a local pet store he is pure black and now 15 years old as well as being diabetic. The other was born feral but made the decision to become an indoor only cat when she was at least 9 months old, under nourished and very small. She entered the house when I held the door open for her because I had gained her trust and fell in love with my older cat and he decided to keep her. If you want to be able to touch and hold them you have to gain their trust and the way to start is when you feed them stay present and gradually move closer. As time goes on gently touch them when they are eating then quickly more your hand back so they realize you aren't trying to grab or control them soon after they calm down you can give them a single stroke but still move back right away. After you have that trust level things will move faster but this can easily take months of patience to achieve on your part.

@Lizard_of_Ahaz I really like the expression you used about her making the decision to become an indoor cat - as in most good relationships, the decision has to be mutual. I'm glad there's a point it may move more quicky because it's been very slow so far but they used to run to the edge of the patio when I came out with the food. Now I only pour out the food on their plates once I'm outside so they get used to my hand, and they're comfortable eating while my hand is there. I will try the touching some time soon so fingers crossed that it goes well. Thank you for the advice.

@Lauren Start with quick light touches and move back so they don't panic and be patient. Once they become used to it you can increase the duration starting with single strokes and things will move faster as time goes on. Remember it is all about gaining their trust.

The only interest my girl has in the outdoors is watching it out the window... When I have to go out both of them are waiting by the door for me when I come home.

I think so, too! His eyes are so magnetic that after the first time we caught each other's eyes I knew I was love struck!

@Lauren Awwww!!!!

@michelle666gar Somebody seems to have a 'soft' part.

It really has been a joy!

What a wonderful story - I'm so happy for all of them! And I love the name Atticus who was meant to be. I had a pair for a few years (I watched my sister's cat while they were on vacation but then she wouldn't go home - fortunately my sister was a sport about it) and it made me realize how nice it is for them to have another cat around. So is Harper about the same age as Atticus?

@Lauren They are fairly close in age, no one is sure how old Atticus is as he was picked up by Animal Control and not chipped. (yeah, in this day and age not chipped.) Atticus is a chonk, about 16 pounds, so alllll the neighborhood must have been feeding him. He isn't fat, just big boy. Harper is around 6, and had some teeth issues. He had to have some pulled after my daughter got him. Harper and Atticus trill to each other, they got accustomed to each other within 10 days. They both have been really good with the little grands, the youngest will be 3 soon and she has a cat at home. But Atticus and Harper are definitely more playful. They are both black, with white feet and white belly. Brothers from another mother.

Cats are smart. They know a good heart when they see one.

You have been chosen by the cat distribution network...

@Lizard_of_Ahaz
I'm elated and insulted. lol

Oh, I should have known you'd be a cat lover! It's hard to get close to them (hopefully soon) so this is the best I can get of the grey. I had my last cat for 21 years and I wasn't ready to make that commitment again, but my daughter thinks that decision has been made for me so we'll see.

@Lauren Yes…your daughter is right, looks like they’ve chosen you so the decision has been made. The grey is a longhair…eventually with patience when he trusts you enough, he may allow you to brush him to smooth that fur out.
Yes…I’m a lifelong lover of cats, I’ve had many feline companions over the years, At present I have two cats…Oscar who is a very handsome large 15 year old tabby/white, and Willow a 10year old small and elegant black female who belonged to my late son Graeme…she’s very precious to me for that reason, obviously.

@Marionville Oh my, that's precious indeed that you have Willow as a warm, tangible memory of Graeme. Speaking here has confirmed for me that it's definitely time that I opened myself to a companion (or two) again.

I wish the three feral cats we feed would eat the moles that are destroying my yard.