Posted by u/6_Cat_Night 14 hours ago
This is Brian. He was a feral friend for 7 years. He aged, was attacked a couple of times, disappeared, thought gone, reappeared with a limp or scabs. Began feeding him with the door open. Closed the door one night; he spent 6 months learning to be a housecat. He loved life and his human mom. RIP
OP here, Brian was about 17, and we'd rescued him about age 10. He was FIV positive, lived a happy life, and didn't infect any of our other five cats with FIV. The joy this animal expressed for a stable life after years on his own was visible 24/7. He spent his transition from feral to housecat time in a single room being fed on a schedule, with people in the room for hours every day speaking to him and putting hands near him but never touching. He had easy access to high and remote spaces where no one could get near him. We replaced the door to the room with a screen door so he could see the other cats and monitor activity outside his space. In time we opened the door and he began laying in the doorway, then a foot outside, then a little further...eventually we could step over him to go up or down the stairs. Then he was on the top step, the third step, halfway down. One night when he was 2/3 down the stairs I got up, walked to him, and started petting. His whole life he knew petting was potentially dangerous, perhaps even torture. Suddenly HE was being petted, and wtf it was awesome. You could see the wheels turning; he was in awe, terrified, loving it, not sure, but please do that more. We took turns marching over to pet him every few minutes. He was over the hump right then and the next night he was in general population with the other kitties. Brian was an exceptional cat and an exceptional person. He loved his mom with great intensity and loved to stare at her. He was very dearly loved by his family both human and feline. I could go on and on but the important point is that this was really a special friend and he is dearly missed.
Sounds like Brian lived his best life
rest in peace brian 🤍
I am very sorry for your loss. Your sweet little boy Brian will always be in your heart. 💙💙😿 [https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/loving-reaper/grief/viewer?title\_no=353275&episode\_no=11](https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/loving-reaper/grief/viewer?title_no=353275&episode_no=11)
Thanks for the link, you get it.
Sounds like you were a good cat dad, I’m sorry for your loss.
Your a good person op. Most people would not have worked so hard to give a feral a happy stable life. I’m so glad he got to know love and care. Rest easy Brian!
Sorry for your loss. This really struck me as we also lost a former feral feline friend. Your post reminded me of Mugs and I shed a tear as I looked at some of his old pictures. I think our kitties who lived outside at first have a special appreciation for their indoor homes. RIP Brian.
I hope you don't mind if I share my tribute to Mugs:
[https://allthepages.org/archives/2017/11/goodbye-to-mugs/](https://allthepages.org/archives/2017/11/goodbye-to-mugs/)
Precious indeed
What a wonderful home and family you gave him. I'm so sorry for your loss!
I’m so sorry for your loss! Thank you for giving Brian love and showing him he was loved!!! He will miss you on the other side of heaven!!!
What a great bond to have experienced. That’s about how long I lived with a stray I met, also, before he passed away.
Looks like a lovebug, glad y’all had so much time together, but im sorry to hear of your loss
God bless his little heart. God bless yours too for caring for him. I'm very sorry for your loss too. Thank you for giving him love.
So many people say feral cats can't be socialized past a certain age - I know based on personal experience this isn't true, glad to see I'm not the only one. Former ferals are absolutely amazing companions once those walls get broken down. Thank you for seeing that in Brian and giving him a happy, loving home.
Yeah, that's total BS. Growing up my family took in no less than 3 different feral cats over the years and they all actually became super friendly little love floofs. :)
So sorry for your loss. Good on you for taking him in. May he rest in peace. ❤️
He looks like the bestest boy ❤️
Rest In Peace old mate. 💙🐾
What a great tomcat. ❤️
Rip Brian, he looks like my cat that ran away that's less fluffy
I'm really very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Brian.. You did an amazing job.
I'm very sorry for your loss. Brian looks an awesome chap. You touched his life with love, patience, understanding, not to mention a warm bed and a full belly. You should be proud that in this case love conquered fear. Rest easy Brian. Xx
I’m very sorry for your loss, he seemed like the kitty of the century! Looks soft and happy❤️❤️
Goodbye sweet Brian! What a life you led❤️ so glad you found your humans inside who loved you very much!
rest in peace brian!! beautiful cat <3
I think both of y'all were very lucky. RIP Little Fellah.
So sorry.
Sweet baby 😭❤️ sorry for your loss
I had one with no teeth and no claws and my neighbor made here an outdoor cat, so we took her in by LAX (neighborhoods are tight, so a cat has to be able to defend with teeth and claws) and never even told her. She lived 2 good years with us inside, her owner assumed she got hit by a car. Thank you for loving your cat!
Feel so sorry for you and your lovely cat 🐈 let him go to the rainbow 🌈 and keep him in your heart ♥️ so he will always be with you 🐾💙🐾RIP 💕👑
You are killing me here (tears running down my cheeks). When I lost my 19-year-old cat a few years ago, I sought solace online and saw all of the references tot he rainbow bridge.
I am so sorry for your loss
Rest In Peace Brian, you strong and brave boy. You will be missed my friend.
Sorry for your loss!! 🙏🏽💙
He sure had the best life ever. You gave him so much love. I'm so sorry for your loss, sending you virtual hugs.
He looked like such a good boii... RIP
He was a fighter for sure, Brian knew what’s up
♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔
Thought we were talking about the Family Guy dog.
A really good cat! That’s a very good cat-tale you wrote.
Hes like Bill Brasky in cat form. Just look at that son of a bitch! Im sorry for your loss but Im glad you took the time to share him with us.
Sorry for your loss 😔
Hope he has heavenly forevermeows!
Thank you for taking care of him!
What an adventurous boy! I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️
🌥❤️❤️🌤
Thank you for caring about this kitty to give him a fine retirement life. By slowly helping him adjust to indoor life he learned he could be safe. And that story about the petting.... oh my. What a glorious moment it was for both you and Brian. My condolences on the loss of your special old man.
Natural warrior
What a handsome boy Brian was....I sure he is living it up over the bridge right now with all of our loved ones that have gone before him.
Thank you for loving him like he deserved to be loved. Rest In Peace Brian ❤️
Kitties are the best! They know when you are trying to help them. Good for you for caring for him.
Brian is awesome. Sorry that he's gone.