Saturday, October 29, 2022

Friends and Relations

After a very busy week – it’s astonishing how much a job interferes with what’s important in life – I have at last been able to write another entry on the blog. Unsurprisingly, it describes Zofia’s continued integration in the Cosy Apartment, a process which is going well.

Her biggest challenge is Neville, who did not like her advent and has only grudgingly, and slowly, come to understand that he might have to accept her presence. The Nevsky no longer growls at the sight of the baby, and even acquiesces to her lying on the bed – at some distance to himself. For her part, little Miss Zed will avoid the big grey uncle; when she climbs up onto the bed – she’s discovered the softness of the folded comforter at its foot – she makes a wide circle to go around Nev.

Her relationship with Horace is better but still progressing. As may be seen, it has its very pleasant moments, when Ivory finds his little sister near him and draws her close for some cleaning. Zofia enjoys the attention; when Horace finishes washing her head and moves to her body, she sticks her head back under his tongue. She clearly prefers the feel of her fuzzy pate being groomed.

When all is placid, Zofia will be, too. But when they meet on the floor, the baby is just as likely to want to scrap with Horace as cuddle with him. It’s not play; I think his size is a bit intimidating to her. It needn’t be: when faced with such infantile opposition, Ivory backs away. He’s not a fighter.

Meanwhile, Hector and Zofia’s play now includes wrestling, as well as chasing. I worry about the former, since Hec is so much larger than Miss Zed, and I know that she feels overwhelmed at times. She will growl and hiss when he presses his advantage too heavily. I keep an eye on them and, when I must, break them apart. But Zofia doesn’t let Hector’s ignorance of his own strength end their good times. She is frequently urging the Turk to play.

The rescue-group is now promoting Zofia for adoption. Ordinarily, I would predict her rapid removal from the Cosy Apartment as a result. But adoptions have slowed greatly in the last couple of months, probably due to the sudden and rather frightening increase in the cost of living. I don’t believe ours is the only rescue-group in North America so affected. We have a number of kittens quickly passing their most adorable stages because of a lack of interest (to be precise, a lack of funds with which to take on a new family member). Zofia may be one of them. She is, of course, welcome to stay in the Cosy Apartment for as long as she likes.

18 comments:

  1. Fosters like you have hearts of gold.

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  2. It may be a sad break up of friendships if Zofia leaves anytime at all, now. She certainly appears happy with her new brothers. I do Neville is eating better as he tolerates this lively kitten.

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  3. What a sweet little girl. It's so good to know that whether she's adopted or not, she'll have a loving home. And it's a pity Neville hasn't warmed to her, but at least she's smart and leaves him be.

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  4. My goodness, the boys look HUGE next to her. She is truly very brave. They are gentlemen- and brotherly. I think that is true. Neville...you are the aristocrat of the family and can't be bothered by such things. One must needs concentrate on other things ...invitatons, social graces, differing champagnes, caviar...all that. They can all consult with you on appointment basis as always; and meanwhile, carry on. Eh?

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  5. She is integrating so well! Which I am so happy to hear all about!

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  6. She's doing very well with her big "brothers." She's definitely a heart-melter, and I do hope she finds a forever home at some point. I would miss seeing her sweet little face, though!

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  7. Such sweet photos of them together.

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  8. I love the pictures. I didn't realize that the boys were so much bigger than Zofia. Boy, if one of the guys sneezes she'll get blown across the room. :-)

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  9. It is so nice to see Zofia getting on equally well with Horace.

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  10. What a doll!

    I was sorely tempted when I went too get dog food today, there was a rescue group in their with multiple kittens! OMC! One little black fella had me very tempted, along with a white one who had a black tail.

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  11. She really is adorable and such a sweetheart. I think she thinks she is home.

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  12. Everyone else has voiced my opinions...happy families
    all round...Bless!x
    And, yes, we have a problem over here with adoption,
    many cats and dogs taken out before and during lockdown,
    are now being returned, with people going back to work,
    Battersea is being overwhelmed with returns..!

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  13. She's such a sweetie. I suspect like the ladies who have come before her, Tungsten and Minuet, she'll be ruling the roost in no time. It sounds like things are settling down quite well.

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