Millie Moves Ahead

I am satisfied with Millie’s progress. It is now a month since she last wet outside the litter-boxes. This includes her introduction to the many other cats who live in the Cosy Cabin; seeing cat after cat appear as if from nowhere must surely have been stressful to her. Yet she maintains her good hygiene, so far as I can tell.

Initially, she hissed and even physically fended off any cat who came too close to her. I cannot think this was a bad thing, since her reaction was not an over-reaction: there were no injuries, though there were some lessons learned. Brazil, who still goes after Imogen now and then - but, I am interested to see, with less vigour or seriousness - has been put in his place twice by Mills. Even the Mixer, who means no harm, has been kept at a distance by some judicious whapping.

In the last few days, Millie has been watching more than hissing. The latter still occurs, but she seems less frightened or anxious about the others. She had taken to jumping to the top of the cat-room’s bookcases when she saw other beasts enter the room. Already, she is more likely to maintain her ground at the top of a cat-tree. She has even left her room’s safety and explored a bit; previously, I had had to bring her out. And, for their part, the others seem to find her less fascinating than they did.

Nonetheless, I will give the newcomer plenty of time alone, with the door to the cat-room closed to anyone else. She will continue to be allowed to set her own pace. That pace, however, is moving in the right direction.