[Born wild, trapped 20 December 1999]
Xander (naming trend: characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is a shorthaired brown tabby male.
Xander went to his new home on 3 July 2000, ready to celebrate the land of the free and the home of the catnip mouse.
He is a very affectionate, and cuddly kitten/young cat (probably born around the beginning of November 1999). He started out very shy, but has come a long way since then.
Like most cats, he is easily startled by unfamiliar things. Unfortunately, living in the garage, a great many things are unfamiliar. The first time I put the radio on out there, be crossed the garage at full speed. Now he hardly notices it, except for when it is turned on first thing in the morning -- that signals it is time for cuddling.
Originally, he was living in a cage with a bed and litter box. As he got more domesticated, he progressed to being caged at night (putting him to bed) and roaming the garage through the day. The structure of being caged at that point seemed to keep his wild side tucked away.
For several months now he's been uncaged, except for the occasions when the garage door needs to be raised.
Xander's favorite activity (as shown in some of the pictures) is being held. He likes being held at chest level, with his paws and head over the shoulder. The right shoulder is best, but he is willing to try both. He has been receiving ongoing training on sitting in a lap. He likes it well enough, but will shoot back up to the shoulder when an opportunity is presented.
Xander is sharing the garage with one other cat who doesn't like the crowding of the house. They get along well, and Xander handles it well when Shadow growls that he doesn't want to wrestle. Xander also likes being in the house, but doesn't like dealing with the large number of cats in the welcoming committee.
Even during hot spells, Xander is most likely to be found laying on a pillow or blanket rather than the cool, bare concrete. I think he will be very comfortable with a bed or couch.
He is still learning how to approach people. Frequently, when someone goes into the garage, he'll meow/squeek and sort of dance around. He'll start to approach the person but turn off when 4-5 feet away. Then he'll go to one or more of his "safe places," where he may be approached. The exception is in the morning, when he gets scheduled "kitten handling" time. All it takes then is getting my shoulder in jumping range and he is there.