The Long Kitten

Tempo’s first night in the Cosy Apartment was not bad, but not good, either. I put her in the bathroom to see if she would eat and/or use the litter-box. She did neither. Nor did she use the cat-bed, I left there; I think she spent the night – after the first hour and a half of banging (and I mean banging) on the closed door to demand an exit – on the counter next the basin.

There is often a concern with a new cat over eating and, by extension, using the litter-box. Cats in a new environment are frequently reluctant to consume food, even beloved, familiar fare. I have seen Tempo drink water, so I suspect a visit to the litter-box will be some time today. She probably ate the morning before she came here, so there is no urgency to the matter yet. I will not, however, put her in the bathroom over night again.

Her relations with the other beasts are good for the most part. She growls at them all; her growl is a low hum that sounds more like she is concentrating on how to assemble a chair from Ikea. She saves her hisses for close proximity. Neville was at first the most intimidating cat, but Tempo seems to be realizing that he is harmless. Indigo is curious about the newcomer, but isn’t forward about it. Brazil has been trying rather too hard to become acquainted. I have seen him running from the bedroom after an angry noise indicated Tempo’s dislike. Having Shimmer a little afraid of a female cat is not a bad thing. Once Tempo becomes accustomed to everyone, those two may become playmates. Maybe.

The one who worries me is Imogen. She dislikes all cats on principle, and is staying in the kitchen, high up and far away from Tempo. I would like her habits not to change because of this. The kitten is not actively trying to attack or bully anyone, but her explorations bring her near others, at which point she growls.

That Tempo is not very oppressed with her new surroundings is obvious. She hides under the bed for short periods, sometimes only a minute or so. The kitten in her, however, urges her to get out and learn about her new home. She has been everywhere, including into the library. She knows where the litter-boxes are, and has sniffed the food-bowls. She has been in the nylon tunnel and up cat-trees. Her tail is almost always straight up, and she enjoys being petted and stroked.

The astonishing thing about Tempo is her length. She is quite thin, though neither her ribs nor her spine can be easily felt, so she is not gaunt. She is about two inches wide and three feet long when stretched. I don’t think I’ve had such a long, narrow cat living with me since Bear-Bear. Maybe once she starts eating, some of her proportions will be altered.