This is taking way. Too. Long.

But then again, compared to what? We've only socialized one true feral before, and truth be told, she ain't exactly the best company, even after like fifteen years.

We caught Coyote (apt name, eh) more than five weeks ago now, but he was already more than six weeks old - maybe eight? - and as soon as we opened the cage, he disappeared into the baroque nightmare clutter of my daughter's room without a trace. He only came out to eat, when no one was around, and the few times we caught a glimpse of him, he hissed with tiny but authentic ferocity before vanishing into the chaos again.

But I've been taking time to sneak into the room and sit quietly till he peeks his head out, talking low-volume/high-pitched baby talk at him for a few minutes at a time. And now our little sessions last for as much as five minutes of eye contact, at a distance of only three feet or so.

We'll get there. We will.