The kitties made me gush last night...
From my angle above, from Joan's angle below...
Murphy and Stella together. On one pad. Laying next to Joan. Peacefully.
I don't paint any "ideals" like you would see on Instagram. Trying to wrangle these two can be like babysitting toddlers. Toddlers with knives. Early on, Murphy wasn't sure of this intruder. Stella was sure that this big cat was always trying to kill her.
They went from mistrust and fear to trying to establish dominance. Don't let their size fool you into thinking any of that was one-sided. Murphy is much bigger and stronger. Stella can fight like a street brawler. It wasn't "Oh, aren't they sweet," but more like "Knock it off you two and go to your separate corners." If they were close, somebody was swatting somebody... and getting it back.
I didn't say it out loud, but I wondered if we had the patience and stamina to handle a street-smart kitten and a young adult cat. Then, last night, they laid side by side. Peacefully. For a short time, Murphy groomed Stella. Or maybe he was just getting a taste before trying to eat her. I hope I'm kidding.
Seriously, their "play" can get pretty rough. That's why this peaceful moment last night gives us hope.
This morning, they chased each other around for a bit, but not roughly. I took Murphy outside while Stella watched from the patio door. Back inside, they both got a Churu treat, which they ate face to face off a spatula. Peacefully. Neither of them is guarded about their food. And right now, Stella is laying on that same pad on the couch, while Murphy is dozing on his Murphy chair by the patio door.
There is hope. It has been seven weeks. If we are going to be able to do some traveling in the RoadTrek, we have to know that these two can peacefully co-exist. There isn't room to take a catio in the van. And I really don't want to have to do a Jim and Murphy trip, leaving Joan and Stella at home. Time will tell.
In the meantime, it was sweet and hopeful to see that these two can be nice together. And, no slap-fight.
1 comment:
That is wonderful, and soooo sweet (going for some extra insulin right now). We always had good luck with co-existing kitties - until Duke. I wondered about road trips with two cats, but kept my mouth shut. Fingers crossed for you all. Stella will have to be leash-friendly for that to work.
Just trading some emails with Dave (FrettingFlyer from AGF) this morning. He is retiring as an airline captain next month. I have his former X20 as my daily player. The neck did not agree with his hand. I have decided to part with the McPherson Sable, but it is already spoken for. A great guitar sonically and with a comfortable neck, but the body does not quite fit me. Can't even specify why but it is like a shoe that does not quite fit.
Post a Comment