Mansyur S - Benci

You've all seen my purr-baby, Wookie. (If not, check the Christmas pictures we posted). I'm sure I've mentioned my kitchen remodel (which, Thank You God, is now finished). This remodel has traumatized my baby.

She's always been stranger-shy, hiding whenever anyone comes into the house, flying up to our attic bedroom if someone knocks on the door. And she's always been afraid of the ceiling fan in our dining area. But now, after two months of upheaval, she won't even come downstairs. Instead, she lays at the top of the landing and stares down at us occasionally emitting a tiny meow of loneliness. She wants me to come up and keep her company in my office.

The poor baby used to come down to drink water from Zuzu's big water dish. Now I make sure she has water in the little cat water dish I keep in my office for her. She used to come down and snooze under the sofa. Not any more. She'll play with her toys. Upstairs. She'll race back and forth in the hallway. Upstairs.

But she won't come down and sit with us.

I'm at my wit's end. I've carried her down, taken her into the kitchen (and I've the scars to prove it). As soon as I let her go, she races back upstairs. I've brought her down and held her on my lap, petting her and talking to her to soothe her fears. The minute I let her go, she's--you guessed it--back upstairs. I've no idea what I can do to help her overcome her fear.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd sure appreciate it. I'd love to have my little purr-baby settled again and unafraid to explore her entire house.