The Hurdle

Horace’s integration is progressing. Surprisingly, Renn seems the least affected by the newcomer’s presence. He will walk right past Horace while he is lying on the floor; there is little hesitation or concern. He is more wary of Hector than of Horace. Just this morning, my big boy was drinking from the water-bowl on the ledge under the bedroom window; Horace jumped up and faced him – not with hostility but with strong curiosity. Renn watched for the other’s next move but didn’t growl or hiss or develop a defensive stance. Not wanting Renn to do any of those, however, I pushed Horace gently away.

Neville hisses at Horace, but is not aggressive with him. Again, this morning, the new fellow spontaneously started playing by himself, chasing a fuzzy ball. In his enthusiasm, he ran at Nev – not charging him; there is a visible difference. The Nevsky, lying on the carpet, hissed harshly, but didn’t stand or get ready to defend himself; his only response was the hiss. Horace halted and turned about.

The sore point in the integration is Hector. Hec doesn’t like Horace and won’t go near him. He yells and hisses at him. And this brings me to the point of this entry.

There is in feline integration little that the human can actively do. His is a passive rôle. He arranges the setting to be as calm and facilitating as possible; he makes sure all cats have enough time and attention; he makes them feel safe, no matter what occurs. But the human can’t actually do much to influence the situation beyond providing support. It’s up to the cats, and they cannot be forced or hurried. They must accept one another, and at their own pace.

There is always a hurdle to overcome. Sometimes, it is achieved in a startling moment. More frequently, its completion goes unnoticed, until one realises, later, that it has been done. In a few cases, that hurdle is never leaped.

I am sure that the barrier will be crossed with Hector and Horace – and, to be fair, the others have yet completely to span theirs. In Hec’s case, he will simply come to know at some point that Horace’s curiosity isn’t that great a problem. If it were, the white cat would be pressing himself continually on the black; there would be constant agitation. As it is, Horace’s is more an interest of opportunity, whenever the occasion arises. I think that sort fades, to be replaced by a more routine acquaintance.

At that point, the hurdle will have been crossed.