Ty-Lee, a Success Story

It’s amazing how little things really do make the difference. Ty-Lee’s owner asked to share her story to show that, with a persistence and finding the “sweet spot,” you can work with each pet where they are to help them become part of your family. Thanks for sharing Brittany!

By Brittany Naujok

I have seen your features on various animals and pet friends and wanted to give you an update on Ty-Lee as she has made a million strides in the 15 months we’ve had her. 

Ty-Lee came to us through The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region as a kitten and was marked green (accepting of pets on her own time), but upon getting home we would find out she was almost feral. She hated humans and didn’t like our other cats or dogs much either, However, we had worked with a grumpy cat before, who took 8 years to enjoy pets and cuddles, so we weren’t about to give up on Ty. 

We tried to give Ty as much space as possible, even to the point of rearranging our living spaces, but nothing seemed to help. She was a very angry kitten. Biting, clawing, and scratching were commonplace for anyone or thing who got too close to her.  The exception was at night: She seemed to love cozying up to our son at night and would purr away in the crook of his neck. We knew there was a kitten wanting love in there!

We tried everything to help this kitten with her anger issues but medication, diet, alone time, and more did not make any difference. 

I brought Ty in for her one year exam with Dr. Lay at Pikes Peak Vet. Dr. Lay pulled out something I had never heard of. She used this chicken goo called Churu to lure Ty into allowing us to get her weight and vitals, and to complete her exam. I ran straight home and ordered some. 

Fast forward three months, our Ty-Lee allows us to pet her, no longer bites and claws, and even occasionally initiates pets with visits and licks. At most we give her one Churu tube a day, but probably more like four tubes a week. We use that time to pet her slowly and scratch her ears and just gently talk to her so she gets more and more used to being handled. She actually comes to the sound of the Churu container being shaken now, she loves it so much.

Ty-Lee has turned a corner, and we couldn’t be more proud or more in love with our little kitten.