Monday, May 31, 2021

The End of the Beginning

Portia continues her progress. Saturday represented, I think, a big step forward in her relationship with me. Though the door to the library (the new girl’s safe-zone) is now open all the time when I am home, so that she may come and go throughout the apartment as she wishes, she still spends quite a bit of time in that room. It was movie-night Saturday and, while she refused to sit with me on the couch initially, she later lie above my head on the bookcase under the window.

Two thirds of the way through the film (Colorado Territory, starring Joel McCrea), Portia decided to join me. She slipped down on to the couch and lie against me for about half an hour, and purred while I stroked her head.

Since then, the number of times she has hissed at me and warned me away has diminished, and she has reposed against me several times on the library couch. I sit with her and read. She will more often than not keep me company. It seems to me that she is a cat who enjoys being with people, but not of course with people she doesn’t know or trust. Once familiarity replaces strangeness, friendship can begin.



With regard to the other beasts, her progress is less noticeable, but is being made nonetheless. Renn is the least objectionable to Portia. Tucker growls and grumbles at Portia as much as she does at him, and Neville now keeps his distance, though he likes to come into the library for a drink of water (he has always preferred the bowl there) and to eat Portia’s hard-food. Why he does that, I don’t know. She has now made the transition to Orijen, which is what is available to the Nevsky, and at the same times. Perhaps, like the water, it tastes better in the library.



I feel confident in the interaction – or maybe in the lack of it – between our guest and the perma-cats to contemplate leaving the door to the library open at night, at some point during my holidays. (During my holidays because, if there is a fuss, I can make up the loss of sleep the next day…) I already leave it open when I am gone from the apartment for short periods.

Portia is purring more and hissing less. There is a long road ahead of us yet, but we are no longer at the start of our journey.

16 comments:

  1. Less hissing is a good sign and I think she's doing great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good news! Portia has learned that you are to be trusted, despite that there are other cats in the apartment. She's such a beautiful girl!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Portia is doing very well now she has come to know you better. As for Neville, the grass is always greener obviously applies to Portia's dry food too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely post to wake up to John..
    Portia is certainly a lovely
    young lady..Hissing or not!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The ratio of purrs to hisses sounds perfect to us. Hope your staycation is going well.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is fantastic, John! Portia has made huge progress in the short time she's been with you. Transitions are challenging when you don't understand what's happening or why, and she's doing so well. Derry send purrs to her, and to Tucker, Renn and Neville too -- of course!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Slow and steady wins the race.
    Mum says that , but I don't know what race she is talking about :/
    Good to hear that Portia is making progress :)
    Purrs, Julie

    ReplyDelete
  8. It seems that things are moving along nicely and that Portia is becoming more and more accustomed to the Cosy Apartment. You're doing a great job, John!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so glad Portia has finally realized she is safe and secure and that she can be loved. All beings are at their best when those needs are met, aren't they?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cats take to others be it humans or cats in their own time. Some quickly some slowly. We think she is moving along well and wish you a great continued vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is such good news. Portia must be a wonderful cat, when she's in an environment she trusts.

    ReplyDelete
  12. for sure it doez....water and food ALL WAYZ tastez better in de librareez.....portia we iz buzzed happee yur doin better N feelin safer....trust uz, de catfather, renn and nev bee AWESUM palz....we hope ewe come ta reel eyez thiz soooper quik soon...

    just due KNOT say de werd... gobbler .... round de catfather...

    ☺☺♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is a terrific development!! Good for Portia and good for you and all the other wonderful kitties!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a nice way to watch the movie, with Portia getting more confident about the pets. And to see she can move freely about to look outside and to inspect more of the Cosy Apartment.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's wonderful to read about Portia's progress.

    ReplyDelete