Sharing

Who can determine why cats make friends with some and not with others? They seem to judge the acceptability of others with the same unfathomable criteria that we humans use. Sometimes, the reasons a person likes one individual and dislikes another are obvious; sometimes, they require a little thought. But in the case of cats, we can only surmise, really.

Tungsten some time ago came to accept all the cats who are now counted as mine. Josie, Renn and Tucker were resented at first, but then tolerated. My top-cat gave her permission rather quickly for Bear-Bear, with his affability, to stay and not be hated. But her particular friend is Renn.

I’ve mentioned before how they groom each other, and how they will lie next to each other, on the bath-mat come bath-time, for instance. That’s not to say that the tiny terror doesn’t exert her authority when Renn makes her physically uncomfortable; on the bed, for instance, my big boy will try to get close to me and sometimes doesn’t regard how he is trampling the smaller orange one. Tungsten reminds him. But most of the time, they are friends.

I’ve written all of this before, of course. This repetition is no more than a preamble to these pictures of Tungsten and Renn enjoying the sitting room armchair together. I like seeing my cats enjoy each other’s company – or at least not minding each other’s proximity. My household feels more like a home when I see its occupants sharing.