Cammie, Suddenly

Cammie is now a member of the family, as well as of the household. She was before, really - just as Bear-Bear was - but when the adoption papers are signed, it will be official. I have changed the heading on this blog to reflect her new status, and to reflect another alteration in the population. One happy and one sad. Such are our lives.

My Siamese princess is going through a strange phase right now, and it is undoubtedly related to the transition in our home. Kola left, Tungsten passed away, Faber came and went… Those are many things to deal with, even when you know the reasons behind them. To Cammie, they are bewildering mysteries. So she has been restless, especially when it comes to lap-time. She has jumped on to my lap numerous times, only to jump down again a second later; in some cases, that’s literal: a second later.

On the other hand, she has been getting up on the bed more often, spending time there, snoozing there. She has done that previously but not to this extent. And when she gets down, she uses the steps provided, rather than leaping down.

And Sunday night, the strangest event occurred. Cammie had joined me on the bed when I was ready for sleep. She lie half on me and half off, and purred, as if she were on my lap. Evetually, she got down. I woke in the middle of the night, however, to feel a cat lying on me. This one was in a position similar to that which Renn adopts, so I gave him a gentle push on the rump to move him. But it wasn’t him, it was her. It was Cammie.

It was Cammie on the bed with all three other perma-cats. They were all in their usual positions, except for the princess. She doesn’t have a usual position. Yet she lie down next to me and stayed there for some time. I fell asleep and think I woke when she got down. But for her to settle on to the bed while the others - or even one other - were there, or to stay while others joined her, is unprecedented. She did not repeat this startling action last night, and may not again for some time. But she did it once, so I predict she will do it again.

The loss of a top-cat can lead to widespread changes in situations and behaviour, I have no doubt, or it may lead to nothing new. But Cammie may feel that without Tungsten certain behaviours are permitted. She may have decided not to attempt sleeping on the bed while the orange one held sway. Whether expressed or not, rules applied. Now that the tiny terror is gone, Cammie may not feel the bed is out of bounds.

But it is a coincidence that my newest cat decided to try the bed the very weekend I told her that she was with me to stay, that she was part of the family. Can she understand my words? She ignores them most of the time, so I see no reason why she wouldn’t in this case. But a slight alteration in attitude, in tone, the changed circumstances in the household… All may contribute to new dynamics. 

I hope to have all four perma-cats on the bed with me again. This time, Tungsten will have given her spot to Cammie. And I doubt if the orange one will be hissing at her this time.