Friday, September 22, 2017

Taking Dictation

It’s very early days for Echo in her new foster-home, but from what I have been told, things are proceeding well. She seems to be following Vinny, chasing him sometimes. She jumped on him once, and his reaction was to run to his foster-guardian. Echo used only the one litter-box Vinny used, until he used a second one.

Back at the cosy apartment - which is becoming cosier with the early nights and the chillier weather - Parker’s behaviour bears watching. This is not because he has become dangerous or troublesome but because it may prove more interesting with the changes we have recently undergone vis a vis Echo. His aggression toward Tucker seems to have abated, though those two may always be at loggerheads of a sort. Toward Cammie, Parker has felt an interest he hasn’t with the others. I have written before that it seems to be reciprocated to an extent. But Cammie is still mostly a loner when it comes to other cats.

Last night, I was in the bedroom and heard a commotion in the sitting room. I arrived in time to see Parker being chased away from the taller cat-tree, from which Cammie was descending at speed. They stopped, Cammie hissed at the orange boy, who protested in his high-pitched yelps - probably insisting that he was doing nothing wrong - then went back up her tree.

What I suspect happened was that Parker climbed the tree, perhaps not even intending to get close to Cammie, and the princess decided that, intentional or not, his proximity was offensive. I was not bothered by the incident, to tell the truth. While I would like to see this pair - or any combination of my cats - become friends, it is much more probable that Parker will push too much too rapidly, so it is better that Cammie have control of the situation. In terms of stress, the newer boy is less likely to be troubled by dictations from a longer-established feline than vice versa.

I comforted both of the beasts concerned, as I didn’t think either had done anything wrong. Cammie knew this already, of course, while Parker was somewhat disconsolate but recovered quickly. I don’t think he was so discouraged as not to try again, at some point in the near future.

11 comments:

  1. some boys just don't learn :) Junior has this problem with Ivy... mom keeps telling her to just smack the heck out of the orange stalker, but no luck so far

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  2. I am happy to hear that things seem to be going well for Echo, and hope she and Vinny become good friends.
    Cammie and Parker do make me laugh. She has to remind him of the pecking order!

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  3. guyz...well sharin de same sofa haz ta count for sum thin huh !! we hope de week oh end iz spent bee in cozee; with each other az best az can be had N with dad !! ♥♥

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  4. Oh dear. Parker might just learn the hard way! At least he respects seniority.

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  5. Oh no, poor Vinny. LOL. Hopefully he'll soon turn the tables on Echo and jump on her (in play).

    As for Parker and Cammie -- at least they can be on the couch together, albeit at different ends, without issue. :-)

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  6. Pardon the suggestion, but I've found The Way of Cats blog to have wonderful thoughts on cat personalities and integrating new cats into an established clowder http://www.wayofcats.com/blog When we had Loretta for a few months, I read lots of Pam's suggestions on handling it all, and the knowledge gained was great! Cammie is a doll, and Parker is handsome!

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  7. It's so good to hear that Echo is settling into her new home. But poor Parker. It seems that he wants to be friends with Cammie, but she's just not interested. Well, hang in there, Parker. The above photo, makes me wonder if Cammie is just playing "hard to get".

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  8. Good news about Echo. Vinnie seems to be such a dear boy. Hopefully they'll find their way to friendship.
    The same can be said for Parker and Cammie. It may take some time, but I suspect than Cammie will eventually accept Parker. That would be just lovely !

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  9. I had hopes for them...I still do but: Cammie is Mistress in charge of the tree. Parker needs to remember and have a care, poor fellow. But that is the way of the hierarchy.

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  10. Parker will learn - maybe not so soon - who is in charge. Cammie is just reminding him although her patience maybe tested. Boys!
    Thank you for the update on Echo. I am sure with a bit of time she and Vinny will get along well.

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  11. I'm sure they will work it all out and we all send purrs for that to be the case.

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