Friday, October 1, 2021

One Couch, Two Cats

At the risk of provoking the wrath of the universe, I must state that Hector’s integration has probably been the best I’ve experienced. There is certainly some distance to go: he sometimes growls at the perma-cats even when there are six feet between them, and will periodically chase them, probably as a kind of pre-emptive action. The others will hiss and growl at him, too.


But these instances are not as frequent or as strong as they could be. Furthermore, they are balanced by positive developments. Portia continues to reclaim the library for all the beasts: I saw her lying on the short bookcase under the window, gazing out, as she used to do. And then there was this, last night.



The picture is off-centre and blurry, but it was hard to encompass both cats when I had to hold the telephone so far up and away that I couldn’t see the image it was recording. Portia had been in the corridor again, and I suggested that she come into the library and lie on my lap. She was pleased to do so and spent some minutes there, purring and being brushed. Then, Hector came in. I encouraged him to jump up to the couch, too, and he did, settling on to the heated towel at the other end. Not being a long couch, the two cats were only a couple of feet apart. Portia remained on my lap purring, and Hec was content in his corner, also receiving pets. They only moved about a quarter-hour later when a noise outside sent them to different windows to investigate.


I would like to allow Hector out of the library all day while I am gone. I think the beasts will regulate themselves adequately, if not perfectly. I will need to devise a way of keeping the soft-food I leave out for the others out of Hector’s always-hungry maw, but that is a minor problem. The major one seems to be on its way to solving itself.

15 comments:

  1. I suppose they felt it was safe to share the couch with you there to protect them. :)

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  2. Looks like there are paw steps toward togetherness.

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  3. All coming together quite nicely John..
    They ALL seem to be happy with one
    another's company at the moment..Long
    may it last! :).

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  4. It seems they are perfectly happy to share the same space.

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  5. This definitely seems to be the smoothest integration since I've been following your blog. Knock on wood for good luck that this continues. :-)

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  6. I love the picture of Portia and Hector on the sofa. They both look very relaxed and comfortable. May this smooth integration continue.

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  7. That's very nice together time. Hector is a good one, some cats jut know how to go with the flow!

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  8. I think Brian has nailed it. Some cats really do know how to go with the flow. Hector does. Portia has found that the rest of the family are not threats and she doesn't need to keep an extreme defensive attitude by attacking (hissing etc.) first. One can walk through a room without expressing "attitude" and threats.

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  9. Hooray! Life is great at the cosy apt. Nothing is better than a purring cat on the lap and another cat nearby soaking up the heat.

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  10. Hector and Portia seem to want to take the lead in being the shining examples of easy living together for the Cosy Arms. If only humans could learn the same, as easily.

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  11. Wonderful to see John! I wonder if the two of them, being the latest cats in the apartment have found some bond because of their newness. In any event, it's terrific to see the two in such close proximity without fur flying.

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  12. Cats have figured out a better way to resolve problems than humans! :-)

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  13. Laz took months of reassuring nonsense sing-song talk from me to calm down from his horrible start in life and more months to stop thinking he had to attempt dominance in the house.

    Marley (twice his size) cured him of the dominance idea pretty fast (though Marley is a kind tolerant type). Laz still gets some hisses from Ayla, but mostly from memory of him trying the dominance thing.

    Laz has calmed after 16 months. Sometimes it just takes time.

    Now he adores Marley as a Big Brofur. And leaves Ayla alone (mostly). And for Ayla's part, she has learned Laz respects her claws.

    Time has value in adjustments.

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