The New Boy Moves In

Horace’s neuter-surgery took place yesterday afternoon. The doctor was able to fit him in and the new boy did very well. He was a little dopey afterward, as might be expected, but recovered quickly. He had used the litter-box prior to going to the hospital, so I felt safe in putting him in the library upon his return to the Cosy Apartment.

He slept on and off for the first few hours, finding Minuet’s thick, soft blanket comfy. As the evening went on, he became more alert, started exploring the library and had some food. He was hungry, of course, and has sampled both soft- and hard-food. I didn’t want to feed him too much so soon after his operation, though he could have eaten more. My sole concern at this point is that he has not drunk any water. I will have to watch for that, and examine the amounts he leaves in the litter.

His first night in his new home was a quiet one. He’s vocal but in a very subdued manner, as if he’s afraid of causing a problem. I didn’t hear anything from him during the dark hours.

Horace seems to love people. He had no fear of me, and spent some time next to me and even on my lap, which he appeared to consider a most enjoyable spot. He purred a lot and loved his head-rubs. There is some discharge from his left eye, which may be the remnant of an infection, and may require some antibiotics. It might be chronic, like Raleigh’s was.

The new fellow reminds me of Raleigh in a number of ways: his shape is similar; his age (about two years) is the age Peachy was when he came to me; the weepy eye and the anxious desire to be closer to a human are also similar, though he is much less shy than Raleigh.

Horace hasn’t met the residents yet, and won’t for a while, eager though he may be to leave the library. My middle-aged boys don’t care that there’s a new cat, but Hector was quite restless through the evening, and hissed at the smells emanating from under the closed library door. He hissed at Auric, too, and, though Horace has a full year of adulthood on what the Golden Boy had when he came to us, I think Horace will fit in well. If he maintains his current demeanour, I can’t see the newcomer giving any trouble, however much may come to him.