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| You've chosen your new baby, probably a Blue, and you are sitting in your kitchen watching him as he comes out of his carrier, slinks across the floor, and disappears under the vegetable basket. His cries all the way home are still echoing in your ears. Is this the same little baby you saw in his first home, bouncing off the walls and tearing around the room chasing anything that moves with uninhibited recklessness? Yup, that's him. You sit there quietly, talking soothingly to the baby in the hopes that he will come out and chase a bit of fluff that just tumbled across the floor in a draft. Nothing. You dish out one of his favourite treats that I recommended, trying to coax the baby out to sample the best of the best cuisine money can buy. Nothing. Sometimes for hours, nothing. |
| You've got what is called 'a case of the Blue's'. |
| British Shorthair cats are wonderful family pets, but sometimes it can take a little while for them to achieve that grand status. The 'Blue's' are well known for their beauty, their cuddly teddy-bear looks, and their tendency to be rather particular, or slow, to accept some situations. Many are renowned for being very independant creatures of habit, and seekers of routine. The Blue's take their time in getting to know you, sometimes to a very frustrating degree. They like to do things in their own time and in their own way. The best way to a Blue's heart, is through food and play. Treats such as the flavoured Cat Sticks that you can buy in shops are a sure way to entice your shy kitten to look forward to seeing you come into the room. Please don't worry about 'unhealthy treats' for your kitten at this stage, it will not hurt him and he is well used to his daily treats in his previous home. Once a Blue has decided he will accept you as a friend though, I'm afraid that you will have a friend for life in your Blue cat, who will not leave you alone for a moment and will crave your attention in every wakeful hour. Some Blue cats will sit by your side on the arm of the sofa, or curl up next to you. If you try to force him to sit on your lap though, unless its his own idea, he will turn his back on you and go sit somewhere else. Other's can make a mockery of that last statement and toast your lap for as long as you like! |
| Finally, Blue creeps out, thinking no one is watching him. He tiptoes across the kitchen floor, sniffing each inch before he places the next foot down, and catches a whiff of his food... oh my, that smells just like home! You can feel your heart starting to swell with desire to pick this little baby up and cuddle him and listen to him purr, and you resist the temptation... he's so sweet, and oh, he looks hungry, and hmmm, when did he last use a litter tray? Nearly there... and you make a slight move to brush a fly out of your field of vision to see your little Blue all the better.... ... and he's gone! Make yourself very comfortable, have a cup of tea, get a good book to read, and just let him get used to seeing you there not bothered with him at all. You could leave the room for awhile and let him just get used to the new sights and smells that are filling him with ... yes, curiosity now, not fear. He will explore the room, get to know it, and eventually feel easier there. When you come back in, you might find him in another place... watching you, but not hiding this time. Remember this day, it will never be like this again. Next time you leave the room, he may cry for you to come back. |
| Within a week, a shy kitten has already realised that you are his source of food and comfort. It may take a little longer for him to trust that when you are there with him all will be safe around him too. As he is still very young, these are all new experiences he is going through with you, so be patient with him, sooth him with gentle voice, encourage him to play, and before long you will wonder that he was ever a shy kitten at all. |
| Now as you are sitting there having your cup of tea with him on day ONE of his arrival, know that within just a few days he will learn to love you. You will be his new 'mum'. Until then he will be missing his mum and brothers and sisters, and he will feel very vulnerable without their presence. When he learns to trust and love you, all that love he had for his mum will be transferred to you. |
| Marvel in the knowledge that Blue has chosen YOU ! Each day, your relationship will grow and grow. That's a promise. |
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| Some kittens of all breeds and colours can be shy. |
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| Little things could scare Blue |
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