I am going to HAVE to learn how to catch a cat that does NOT want to be caught.
I've never pushed the issue with him, because he has come sooooooo far. I don't want to undo what trust he does have in us. It took him soooooo long to not totally fear us.
I KNOW everyone is wondering about vet visits... I have only taken him once
...and I had a lady with LOADS of experience come over. She caught him by the scruff of the neck and put him in a carrier. Scruffing barely phased him. He fought, as if his life was on the line. Once he was at the vet's... he didn't move at all. That was actually the first time I ever pet him.
When he allows pets, from me and hubby only. I do sometimes put my hands under him, as if I am going to pick him up... just to see if I can get him used to my hands around him. Or him more comfortable with me, in general. He wants no part of that. I don't do it every time, because I don't want him to stop trusting me completely again.
We got him at a year old. He wasn't a people cat then. Him trusting us at
all is huge. We started slow... treats, shorts pets, rubbing his ears, rubbing under his chin, etc...all of that has taken years. He will take a treat from our hands now, but he is quick to do so. He prefers tossed treats. He only just recently will sleep in a bed with me, at times... without Lilly.
He is difficult to explain. He doesn't walk around in fear of us all the time... we know his limits, and he knows we know. If that makes any sense. We pet, play, talk, and interact with him EVERY day, but... on his terms.