Friday, March 25, 2022

Heat Rises

Because I can’t find a proper cat-sweater for Minuet, I worry about her being cold without her fur. I borrowed a space-heater and, clearing out some books, installed it on the lowest shelf of a bookcase in the library, close to and facing her favourite spot behind the couch.



During the evening and night, Min sleeps on her heated cat-bed, which now has the additional warmth from the space-heater. She doesn’t seem to feel the need of an extra temperature during much of the day, as she spends most of it on the cat-tree, or lying in the gentler warmth of the sunlight, on the carpeted top of the lower bookcase.



I would still like to find her a proper sweater, but unless it fits her perfectly, it will inhibit her climbing the tree, which won’t do at all. This rules out dog-sweaters and any cat-sweater ordered through the mail, as the chances of it fitting just right are slim. For now, though, I think the various sources of heat she is receiving will suffice.



With regard to her roommates, Minuet is doing well. She still yells at them but not as vociferously as she has; nor does their proximity stop her from doing what she is doing, which is usually drinking water. (Though she has a bowl of water in the library, she seems to prefer those in the corridor and the bedroom. Perhaps it’s a case of glass versus ceramic.) The older cats avoid her for the most part, while Hector stays out of her way except when he thinks he can get the drop on her. Then he rushes at her, usually without making contact. When he does touch her, it is not violent. Even so, Min hates it. I try to stop it but have only partial success, and who knows how often it happens when I am absent.



But, for the most part, I am pleased with Madame’s integration. She is free to roam about the apartment even when I am at work, and, of course, the others are free to enter the library. They are growing accustomed, establishing boundaries and learning about one another. And in these lessons are the beginnings of compatibility.


17 comments:

  1. She looks so contented in that last photo. It's such a great thing to see.

    As a side note, how is Hector doing without his playmate?

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    1. Hector is doing all right, I think. He doesn’t seem to be missing Auric overly much, but I have noticed that he stays close to me more than he did, and he seems to be playing more with the oldsters. The trouble with that is that the oldsters don’t know that they are playing with Hector… But he is doing all right. I nonetheless would like to see him adopted into a home with another active young cat.

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  2. Sweet Minuet!
    I'd act as she has, if I was sent to an old-folks home.

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  3. She is doing so well! I hope your sweater hunt is successful.

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  4. you know, by the time you find a sweater it will be summer ~~~ ☺☺

    and without sounding paranoid; which I am anyway...and being the daughter of a firefighter; my trust level on space heaters is...NONE ~~~~ be careful of that thing ~~~

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  5. Minuet seems to be doing very well, even sans fur. As for Hector, I hope he finds a more appropriate home with a young playmate sooner than later. He's a sweetie, but no, oldsters don't want to be pestered!

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  6. Minuet looks to be doing so well minus the fur coat. You are providing her with alternative heat and I agree with da tabbies, she'll sprout fur by the time you can try to find clothing that is in her size.

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  7. It looks like Minuet is doing very well, and that's great news. But I feel bad for Hector. Hopefully he will be adopted soon. It must be really difficult for him - he wants to play, but the older cats just aren't interested.

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  8. She's a sweetie. She probably doesn't do too much while you're gone, she misses her audience.

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  9. I am so enjoying learning how she is getting on. Perhaps of you had her dimensions...neck, arms, tail, waist & hindquarters something could be fashioned for her.

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    1. I was thinking along those lines, but it would have to be exact, and there'd be no returns with such an item.

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    2. I wish I lived nearby. Then I could knit Min a bespoke sweater!

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  10. Too bad about the sweater issues.

    I think Minuet is doing really well!

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  11. Minuet is doing remarkably well considering the upheaval she has been through, and her age too. She looks like she is doing well without her fur and probably feels much fresher for it.

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  12. Minuet is doing well, and if Hector doesn't behave I suspect she'll let him know in no uncertain terms. She doesn't strike me as a shrinking violet.

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  13. We're happy Minuet is doing so well. Paws crossed for a successful sweater search!

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