Silky Freedom

I think Imogen feels the household has improved with the removal of Aurora. The latter had an unnerving effect on Imo; the younger cat stalked the older too often. Whenever Imogen would jump down from a height, or move from a room, Aurora would notice and follow. There was never any dangerous confrontation; I don’t believe that was ever Auro’s intent. It was something akin to a game to her. To Imogen, however, being followed everywhere by a cat who crouched low and hurried toward her, all the time seemingly ready to spring, must have had a tediously wearing effect.

Now, Miss Silky is less guarded. She moves about more and feels she has more freedom. She of course always was able to go where she wished but, like a man afraid of an omnipresent bully, she did not always wish to go anywhere, because of Aurora.

There is still Brazil. Brazil’s behaviour toward Imogen is similar in some ways to Aurora’s, but distinct in others. Unlike Auro, Shimmer will rush at Imo to make contact with her, and that contact is not always pleasant. Also unlike Auro, he will follow Imogen rarely. He may watch her from a distance; the hazard of contact comes only when the two are already near each other. Much of the time, Brazil will pass by Imogen without incident; neither will go unnoticed by the other – and there may be hissing and/or growling from the girlcat – but, contrary to Aurora, Brazil seems to have other things to do.

Aside from her relations with the other beasts, Imogen is doing well. She plays well and hard sometimes. When she is not distracted by her wariness over Brazil – I take her in the bedroom, close the door and bring out the string-toys – she will run and leap and roll in enjoyment. Other times, she will get it into her head, as cats do, to rocket about the apartment, rarely going into the sitting room, where Brazil is likely to be, but nonetheless exercising her youthful vigour.

Miss Silky is eating well and is diligent in her litter-box habits. And I was even able to cut some of her claws. How all this will be affected by the next addition to the household when it comes, will remain to be seen. That is the future. Today, Imogen is good.