These woods are dangerous for cats. Coyotes, raccoons and plenty of free range dogs are threats. We know he had survived on his own for at least five months.

How did he do it? Well on day two of our time together, I had just let him out for the night, he ran behind the building then quickly reappeared with a precious, native Douglas squirrel in his mouth. He paused then gobbled it up in front of me. I was horrified. I couldn’t really be mad at him, that’s his nature, he’s a killer. That’s how he survived, his needle sharp claws would capture anything he could swipe and he was a perpetually hungry cat. I wondered how many birds and squirrels he had taken out over the Summer, and why hadn’t I seen my bunny friend for awhile? That evening I went out and got a belled, breakaway collar and nail clippers.

The next morning I walked from the house to the studio calling his name and he appeared. He knows food and companionship are being offered and he’s going to gladly take it. Within a half hour of coming inside I have the collar on him and his nails clipped! I was floored. He is so docile — the collar hasn’t come off since.

After counsel from a cat-loving, bird-loving friend I decided he had to become a 24/7 indoor cat, like our other cats in the house and for the sake of the wildlife. So we got a big dog cage to keep him in inside the studio overnight. He spent several nights in the cage, then after he proved he knew what the cat box was for I let him roam the studio 24/7. Ta-da! he truly is the Amazing Blackberry! He’s caused no damage, except for the copious amounts of drool he leaves on your lap. He loves people, uses a scratching post and leaves the house plants alone. We took him to the vet, he’s healthy, except for the freaky tick that was on his ear, and he wasn’t chipped. The vet was impressed he didn’t have any scars, that tells us he’s smart and cautious, likely to get along with our other cats in the “big house”. His big issue is his food obsession, he instantly gobbles every morsel put before him, then cries for more. If we’re not careful he’ll be a huge fat cat in no time. That will be our big challenge when we try to integrate him into our house with our two slow-eating, pampered Abysinnians. Stay tuned.

We hadn’t had much luck, the cat is very skittish and usually runs away if you take a step toward him. We haven’t seen him too much lately, but last Sunday there he was near my studio. He was intently looking into some grass, surely hunting. I went back to the house to get the can of Fancy Feast. I calmly went back and let him watch me open the can. I carefully stepped toward him and set the can down and stepped away. It didn’t take long for him to figure it out and he chowed down the food. Obviously he was ravenous. I carefully approached and gave him a pet. He didn’t flinch or run away, in fact he liked it. After he was sure all the food was gone, he was very affectionate, you know the leg rubbing, give me more pets kind of behavior. He even let me pick him up and was happy about it. I was blown away.

So I went back to the house and got some dry food, he didn’t follow me. But was there when I returned with kibbles, he was very happy to eat some more. I opened the studio door and had no problem getting him to come inside (I left the door open while he was there.) He was so needy, I sat in a chair and he jumped in my lap! Our fancy cats rarely do that. So there you go, obviously this cat misses people and was someone’s cat at some time (he’s been neutered). He’s very passionate, a drooler and would give some love bites, which I was very wary of. I’d say “No” in a stern voice and he’s calm down. I really didn’t want to get a cat bite from a free range cat (or any cat). Blackberry has a gorgeous jet-black coat and green eyes, he is thin but not too skinny.

He got very comfortable with me and fell asleep on my lap, I couldn’t believe it. When I went home and left him outside. I removed the black hair covered clothing and washed up so our fancy indoor cats wouldn’t get suspicious. I better not have brought any fleas home.

I think this is a start of a long relationship.