The boys remaining in the Cosy Apartment have undergone a few changes since Minuet’s departure. Some may be due to the turning of the seasons: on Saturday, we experienced what I felt to be the first day of the year with a hint of autumn in it; we often have one of those in late August. But one change I’ve noticed is certainly due to Madame’s passing.
Minuet used to use the litter-box quite often, because of her age. The conscientious little girlcat continued to climb into the boxes right up until her end, refusing to give in to one of the issues that had caused her to be given up by her owner. Being a feline of advanced years, though, she had to visit the facilities more often than younger cats. I think this encouraged the boys to do so, as well.
Since Min left us, the amount of activity in the litter-boxes has dropped obviously. Each mancat visits now no more than twice a day. The results look larger, to compensate for the fewer instances. I’m sure ill-health is not involved, as the behaviour of Renn, Neville and Hector is essentially unchanged. They simply are not reminded, on a basic, instinctual level, to use the boxes as frequently as they had. As well, the use of the remaining box in the library and the two in the storeroom has reached an equilibrium.
When an oldster, or some other cat who needs special tending, dies, things become simpler. There is less inconvenience, less cleaning, less maintenance. This is an example of that. It is one of the changes, big and small, that allow life to go on, after one of us no longer can. I can’t say that things are better. They are just different.
Handsome boys for sure. They probably wonder why no girl kitty is yelling at them when they get up and about. Might be a bit too quiet.
ReplyDeleteEveryone looks good! If things are a bit easier now, at least until the next special needs cat comes into the Cosy Apartment, that in no way diminishes the time you had with her or the love and caring.
ReplyDeleteTheir faces...almost like seeking...
ReplyDeleteInteresting, that Angel Madame's litter box habits affected your mancats.
ReplyDeleteIt's like they were in some sort of litter box competition.
DeleteThey all look like they miss Min - especially Hector.
ReplyDeleteKim says it is best. And I suspect it won't be long before another cat will need your help and join the others in the Cozy apartment.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for everyone when the dynamics change.
ReplyDeleteThey'll soon readjust, I hope. Maybe they are subdued and secretly grieving. Once when I lost a cat, younger than the 'left behind' cat he went around yowling a lot more than I was used to hearing. We think he was looking...
ReplyDeleteEventually there a=was a new kitten, and he mentored it like a kind grandpa!
I wonder what the younger Hector is like now?
Soon the new dynamics will be sorted out.
Yes! Bit of a 'boys' pad for now John....for a while anyway! :).
ReplyDeleteThey will work out a new routine or revert to the old one, but I have no doubt that they all miss Min in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteAugust looks very sweet. I hope he soon gets his forever home.
Yup! It does take a while to adjust to the 'new' normal.
ReplyDeleteThe boys are handsome :)
Purrs, Julie
Sometimes one doesn't want a new normal, after such a cat as Minuet, but it must come. Thank you for your kindnesses about her.
DeleteThat's something I've always wondered about multi-cat households: what do the others think when one of them suddenly isn't there?
ReplyDeleteAugust looks adorable, by the way. I'll be surprised if he isn't adopted soon. (Of course, I think that about any cat who's up for adoption, because I'd want to take them all in...)
I imagine they all have to adjust to a new normal.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. Things always change when one soul departs. XO
ReplyDelete