You are all wonderful - thank you for your responses! This forum always amazes me. Bestyears - thanks for pointing out the hand feeding. I will do that for sure. I think one kitty is good for us with the dog but maybe once he passes, another kitty might be in order. I can see how people adopt mucltiple cats. They are so much easier than dogs. (But I adore my dog) :) Busybee - I did not know that about the purring. I hope she wasn't purring at the shelter because she was stressed although I am sure it is possible. She purrs when she eats and plays so I think that's a happy purr. Aunjen - how kind of you to adopt feral cats! I would want to love on them too. I agree that no matter her disposition, we will love her and it will be a rewarding relationship. Thank you. teacats - I will use all of your suggestions. Chijim - She is doing a lot better with my husband - I think it is going to be fine. I have had him feed her. He has taught her to drink water from the faucet. So, they're bonding. My 16 year old son is the next one who needs to feed her. Kiki - really good information - I am going to get her some treats today and start with the rewards immediately! It makes sense about the hands. She does let me pet her - when she's in the mood. I am really gentle with her and try to avoid sudden movements. I also pick her up when she lets me hoping that she will get used to it. I put her down right away once I sense she's had enough. HIIWTHI - more reassurance - thank you and thank you for the kind words. I'm glad I did too even if the adjustment takes a bit longer. There were beautiful cats at the shelter that had been there for 2 years. That would really be a tough adjustment! Thank you again. You have helped so much! Dawn

KD, do you know how rare it is to have three grand trines?? And, yes, the memory does get lousy. But basically for me, I now understand why I think in non sequiturs. This is so weird. You and I also lived very close to each other (as I recall you shopped at Jurgenson's...which was very close to our home). I lived in that area until 10 years ago....we may have been neighbors!..and we both have grand trines (and many months ago I had been thinking about Brooke (chinabrooke) and I looked in here and saw you had posted a "where is Chinabrooke" thread....and that day, I received an email from Brooke....how weird is that, fellow triple grand trine person?

I'll be getting the regular flu shot soon and I'm not sure about H1N1. I've gotten the regular shot every year for several years since I have lots of allergy/sinus/asthma trouble and even normal colds hit me hard and last a long time, usually with a sinus infection to follow, etc. (Sorry if TMI!) We spend a lot of time with my 80-year-old mom and my concern is that we'd pass the flu on to her. Since I inherited my upper-respiratory and allergy tendencies from her, she'd be in big trouble if she had the flu. I'm sure she'll get the regular flu shot this year, too, but as always, it's uncertain as to whether the formulation is accurate for this year's strains. One school about an hour away from us is closed as 1/3 of the students are out with the flu, and they haven't determined if it's H1N1. It did seem like they hyped H1N1 a few months ago, but now the news seems to be full of stories on it.

Bumblebeez, I AM very lucky, and I say that every single day. I bought this house and yard looking VERY different in Dec. 1986. In all that time, the only time it came close to my house is the '200 year flood' in October 1996. But my house stayed high and dry, despite the road/bridge over the river washing out and the street being closed for 10 days while it was reconstructed. I'm so close to everything I need, stores, airport, you-name-it, but I look out back and feel like I'm on vacation every day.