On Sunday, a kitten came home. One of a litter abandoned outside and brought in to an animal shelter nearby. She has come to fill a space left by an old and much missed cat, who died three years ago and sleeps in the cold earth of the garden that he loved. Forest Cat has found a box and can hear something rustling inside. Something that smells of Cat.
The lid was opened, and out in a tabby-spotted blur jumped Lucy.
Crouching and unsure, despite kind hands around her. The small shaved patch on her side shows the wound where she was spayed, and shows tiger stripes of black on her grey-pink skin.
Now the box is empty, so Forest Cat inspects........
...jumps in.....
...and watches the little interloper from a safer place.
...and watches the little interloper from a safer place.
First meeting........
Forest Cat accepted her at once. He watched her explore and sniff, coming to her again and again to chirrup a greeting and to show her that he meant no harm.
Suddenly, Kitten saw a bird. Even through the window, she was ready to pounce and hunt.
Grandma Cat appeared at the door, roused from her daytime slumbers.
A sniff, a growl and a huge, fierce, explosive spit!
Kitten ran and hid behind the curtain. Grandma Cat turned her back in disgust and slunk away with hackles raised to find her old ,warm place on an upstairs bed.
Getting used to being held, Lucy began to purr, her body softening and relaxing while needle sharp claws kneaded the air.
The Ginger Man came in, spat once, then shared a bird watching spot at the window.......
....before watching the kitten explore. He is not a brave cat, but this little girl posed no threat.
Finding a place to climb......
and a place to relax.......
and a jungle tree to hide in.
Forest Cat follows and watches ......
....while Lucy finds more birds to watch, her whiskers twitching.
Wide opal-eyed and alert, she rested on someone`s coat. It was time to take her to a quiet place for food, a deep kitten sleep , and a chance to realise that this was a place where she could stay and be at home. Fourteen weeks since she was born, and at the start of another great adventure.
10 comments:
There speaks a cat-lover!
I feel quite ill with envy. Almost a year since I last acquired another cat, and tabbies are my very best beloved.......
Do please keep us updated on how quickly she takes over the house, won't you!
That is an excellent picture story!
It looks like you have quite the collection of characters there...I love the descriptions and the photos Thank you :0)
She's very like our Banshee! The photos made me smile and the one of her on "hunting alert" made me laugh out loud! She looks to be settling in very well. Lucky Lucy kitten to have been found by you.
I've always gotten my cats as very young kittens, and I have a large cage where I keep them for their own safety until everyone has hissed and made up. It's always tricky bringing in a new one. Rather disarranges the social order, and they always feel they have to sort things out again. Maybe Lucy and Forest Cat will bond and she will have a big brother to look after her. Lucy reminds me of my dear Jett who I lost in May of 2008. She has such a sweet little face.
You are so fortunate to have everyone (mostly) accept Lucy into the household. I had one cat that took me close to six months to fully integrate with the other three. But he came as a three year old feral cat, so there was also a lot of socializing with his humans also.
And how's the weather down in Hampshire? Snow for you all too?
I read this in the morning without time to comment, so returned to enjoy it again.
You captured this event so nicely in words and photos. I have found that bringing a young cat into our feline household works better than introducing an adult cat. The adjustment time for all seems to be less traumatic.
Lucy sounds as though she will be a wonderfully companionable addition to your family.
Such a lovely post. I admire people who can help new cats adjust to old. It can be tricky. Lucy looks charming. At the shelter they have just put an 11 month old in with two other older cats in a large room with ample space, beds and climbing furniture for probably 5 cats. But the 11 month old is spunky and feisty and not about to share visitors like me with the other cats. I'm not sure she is going to fit in. She can be an attack cat when others get in her space. I keep a small towel handy to throw over her when she has her spats. That usually distracts her. I think I would make a good cat psychiatrist!
I predict lots of entertainment ahead! I did smile at the BIG fluffed up tails when Lucy and Forest-cat met. What fun!
What a lovely story.
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