Cat Behavior/Fearful Cat

Question
I adopted a male stray who wandered into the yard and who is very affectionate and seems mostly Russian Blue (Bright Green eyes/silver short fur).  He was sick with a lot of things but after a few months was well enough to be neutered.  He was about 8 months-1 yr. old when I found him.  I then saw a similar breed when I went to the vet one day for his medicine--she was a stray, 7 mos. old, had had a litter at 4 mos. and had been abused--she is polydactyl and her tail was either cut or deformed at birth.  I decided to adopt her as a playmate for the male.  She was spade by the vet.  I brought her to a different home from where he was convalescing (he had not been neutered yet).  She would not let us pet her but did not hide.  She would play and gradually allowed us to get close every other day.  By that time, the male had been neutered and we brought him over.  They hissed for about 24 hours and have been inseperable ever since--licking each other, playing with each other--we couldn't have asked for more.  However, while she is very affectionate with the other cat, she seems to have regressed and will not let us near her.  If I try to pet her, either on the floor or on the same level as her, she runs away.  She doesn't hide--she just won't let us more than 3 feet near her.  What can we do to help her?  He is still very affectionate and has established dominance--he has to play first with us--she watches.  He has never pushed her out of our way, but I wonder if his dominance is holding her back somehow.  We can't pick her up or pet her and she never comes up to us (which she was starting to do before he arrived).  We are new cat owners, so we are at a loss.  They seem very happy and play and sleep together.  Thanks for your help.  Stephen  

Answer
Hi Stephen,

You are very fortunate that the cats took to each other so well and so rapidly.  That usually takes a lot more time.  As for her warming up to you, that will take a lot of time, but give her your patients, talk gently and lovingly to her, let her see how you pet and play with the male.  It might take a long time, but I feel that in time, she will start warming up to you.  Be glad she has the male to bond with, that is SO important.  They are good for each other.  She will adjust a lot more quickly to her surroundings with him in her life.  Maybe it will take her longer to warm up to you, but she will.  Sit on the floor and play with them both with a string, or some yarn, or a fishing-pole-type toy.  Get them both actively involved in playing if you can.  That will help.  Do this a couple times a day as time allows, and eventually she will get the idea you are a good guy and start inching her way toward you.  Just keep reaching out to her.  She will surprise you one day.  Good luck and write again if I can be of further help.  

Barb