To Change and Not To Change

Sometimes, the removal of a long-time resident in a cat-household will change things. I think that has been the case here. With Renn’s death, the feline pieces in the Cosy Apartment are re-arranging themselves a bit. The odd thing is that Renn did not have a very active influence on any of the other beasts, especially in his later years. But influence may be passive, too. Then again, the much more assertive influence of an eight month old kitten might have something to do with things.

The changes aren’t great, but they are noticeable. For instance, Indigo is coming out of the library more often. She spent an hour on an armchair in the sitting room, and coming out to sit on the dining table and yowl for her food – adding to the splendor that is the meal-time symphony here – is no longer unusual, if still not daily. As well, Indie has joined me on the library couch by jumping up from the front, directly from the floor, for the first time; previously, she had climbed Min’s cat-tree from the back. That is a very small alteration of habit, but, I think, significant.

Imogen is coming out to sit – or, more accurately, crouch – among the others. (And by ‘among the others’, I mean sit several yards away, watching them warily.) She seems less bothered by Tempo than I thought she would be. Imo still hisses and growls at the newcomer, but they have sniffed each other without complaint, as well. And Miss Silky has switched from lying on the near side of the bed by the pillow to the far side. Why? Who can say.

These are all small differences, but those who have cats know that small can grow, like a kitten. On the other hand, last night I watched Brazil take a literal flying leap at Imogen, land on her, then dash off, so not everything is changing.