Probably her new man/lady friend fiance, I'd guess.

And the claws finally come out!

I'd like to see that happen. He's pretty on edge most of the time.

First the obvious step: shower him with edible treats (he's a sucker for treats, it appears ;)). Then, he will come to thank you for it after he's given himself a post-treat grooming, you'll know he's thankin you because he will either be rubbing up against your leg or seeking a quick head-pat or something.. And therein lies your opening: immediately, scratch the areas he himself cannot reach (i.e.: the divot directly under the chin, or the inside--this is important--the inside of the ears). I swear, it's like cat crack; I got this tomcat I can't get rid of because I'm just too damn good at ear/chin massages.

He's mad picky about treats. I know how to handle him but I mean having a stranger do the same things I do. He would have to really warm up to you after a few weeks before any of that sort of touching goes on. Even though I've had him for a few years sometimes he is still stand offish with me. My method is a bit different.

I put my hand out so that the kitty can smell it and know that it's safe then I touch the top of their head and move to back behind the ears then I go for under the chin. Under the chin is the last spot I attempt because if they aren't ready for it they may snap at me. I've never had a cat snap at me but it seems like something they would do if they don't want you touching them under their chin space.

The ol' choke and stroke?

Poor little guy :( In my experience, female cats can be a bit more skittish like that, and take longer to warm up, but I usually find that male cats are more chill, and more open to affection. He sounds like he was maybe abused by a previous owner, or perhaps he's simply old and full of physical ailments and therefore is uncomfortable being touched. Sending my good kitty vibes his way, poor baby.

That's the thing, I feel like he was abused as well as a baby kitten and he's held onto the trauma of it. The girl that I was cat sitting him for she was okay with him but I don't know about the owner where she got him and his mother. They are the ones that named him porque and whatever happened to him. It was done at that owner's place.

Twelve years ago, I adopted a cat from the humane society who was with me for the next eleven years before passing away last year. She and I were attached at the hip, and while she loved my kitty massages and rarely left my side, she never, ever let me pick her up and carry her... I became convinced that she must have been abused before I met her, and it always bothered (and slightly intrigued) me that I'd never know her back-story.