The Odd Glance

Packing for the move is proceeding apace. I am putting all the books in the library into boxes, though it is taking time – and a lot of boxes. Half the time, I think that I am leaving it too late; the other half, starting too early. But it’s better to finish the packing with plenty of time to spare than the opposite.

The cats are noticing the disorder. Aside from boxes appearing everywhere, things are vanishing. I was sitting in the library with Indigo, and saw Brazil trot past the doorway. He stopped and almost did a double take: the first three bookcases were empty. He came in, sniffed about, stood on the lowest, nearest empty shelf, and lie down on it, as if to prove to himself the void. Having established the emptiness, he departed, but not without a last glance back.

There will likely be quite a few astonished glimpses here in the near future…

Personal Effects

I am packing away items for the big move, which is now just under a month away. One notices immediately a diminution of space. When one packs up, for instance, books, one cannot put them back where they came from - a bookcase - because the bookcase needs to be empty in order to be moved. This results in heavy boxes all over the little floor space available, and pathways, as in an ever-growing labyrinth.

So far, I have observed only two changes among the cats. One is negative, but mild. Neville doesn’t care for encountering other felines during his ambling through the apartment. Indigo, who dislikes my other beasts, will sometimes object to the Nevsky’s proximity in a manner which frightens the latter. Nev has therefore become a little more careful in his navigation of the forming routes through his home.

On the plus side, Indie has started to come out of the library more. She had begun this prior to the start of packing up, but that activity seems to have accelerated the process somewhat. This is good, since, if I am lucky enough to capture the outsider-cats, one, or possibly more, will have to go into the library for acclimatisation, and Indigo will have to stay out. This will be a big enough change for her, without a head start now.

Otherwise, the cats are taking the changes in stride. Imogen keeps trying to jump from the micro-wave oven into empty boxes, which usually tumbles them, and her, over. Brazil periodically races about among the new obstacles. Though he may miss Tempo’s companionship, he is making his own fun.

So far, not so bad…

Coming Around

Indigo has changed quite a bit from when she first came to live with me. She is, I have determined, a people-cat. She is available for adoption and, I think, would become quite attached to a new person, given time. She is diabetic and responding well to her twice daily injections of insulin. To achieve this, I started giving her injections while sitting with her for a few minutes in the mornings and evenings. I can’t spare much time in the mornings, as I am getting ready for work; nonetheless, I sit with her for ten minutes or so, and give her a shot of insulin then. I sit with her longer after dinner. I also try to give her time before bed.

The interesting thing is that she want me to sit with her. After dinner, especially, she is watchful, and gives a creaky cry when I come in to spend time with her. Throughout our time together, she purrs, even when I am not petting her. Pair her with the right person, and I think she will enjoy a human’s presence very much.

She is not a cat-cat. She doesn’t care for feline companionship, though I keep hoping she will come around, perhaps with a new beast. Her liking of me and her dislike of felines combines when she jumps up on the bed when I sleep. She will stay and purr while I pet her, but, needing to sleep at some point, I stop and roll over. Then she loses interest in being on the bed and usually leaves.

A big change will be coming at the end of October, when we all move. Indie will lose her safe-room - which she doesn’t really need any more - and have to spend all her time among the others. I will also have to adjust when and where I give her insulin. This period should prove interesting. I don’t think Indigo is a cat who likes ‘interesting’…

Not Helping

There are many problems with packing up to move. One of them is a matter of space. You put all your belongings into boxes, but the boxes have to take up what might be called new space, because what is in them cannot go back to where they were. I have begun putting my books into boxes, but the boxes cannot go where the bookcases are, because the latter must be empty to move. So the boxes with books just sit on the floor, taking up new space.

Another problem is assistants who don’t help…

Squeaking

Imogen enjoys a vigorous petting session, especially having her head rubbed fast and hard. In this short video, you can hear her talking as I stroke her fur, though she is distracted by a fly, which I believe she later caught in the bedroom.

Operation Creamsicle

There has been a revision in the plan to capture the outsider cats. Originally, I had intended to try my luck at trapping the three of them in the fortnight during which I had access to both my old apartment and the new house. After discussion with a friend, I decided that this was too restricted a window of opportunity, especially when it came to capturing Arliss.

Now, I will try to trap that white-and-orange boy whenever he shows up. He does so very infrequently, so I cannot depend upon him making an appearance during the last two weeks of October. I don’t know if he will visit even between now and when I vacate the Cosy Apartment. But if he does, I will try to trap him, then get him neutered – I am pretty sure he is intact – and keep him where I can until it is time to move him.

This will lead to problems in itself. If, for instance, I capture him in the next week, he cannot stay for a month in a carrier, or even in a kennel. He will have to be released into the library, where he will be isolated. Then, there will be the difficulty of putting him in a carrier to transport him to the new abode. However, these problems are much less than that engendered by waiting until almost the last minute to corral him.

Operation Creamsicle begins.

Tempo's New Beat

Tempo went to her new home today. It is a trial adoption, but in our rescue-group, each adoption is well-thought out and prepared, and Temps is a fun, loving little girlcat, so I don’t foresee her returning.

She easily got along with me. She purred a great deal, and enjoyed my company, though I think that is a matter of her liking any human who is kind and respectful toward her. She will quickly grow to care for her new person, I’m sure.

Alas, poor Brazil is left without a playmate, again. This morning, while I was preparing for work, he and Tempo had an energetic play-session, which Shimmer will miss. But, he will adjust, and in the changing conditions soon to come to us, he may find compensation.