Object of Affection #1
Since it was only going to be two weeks, I thought I’d see what would happen if I gave the kittens the run of the house. Thomas and Savannah had checked “negative” for serious feline illnesses, so there was no health risk to the other cats. I wondered what the reaction of the four adult cats in the household would be; Orson, for one, had been desperate to meet them. Orson always exhibits maternal behavior when he’s around babies and I knew he’d be gentle. With the other three, I prepared myself for the typical dramatic outbursts on first meeting. I expected arched backs--a hissing, spitting, fat-tailed Halloween image of cats. I got ready for standoffs and the usual defense of territory. But as each cat met Thomas, there was a conspicuous absence of friction. He charmed them with his deferential eagerness. Thomas paid attention to their cues and knew when to stop or back down. Maintaining the peace was more important to him than winning his way. If he galloped up to another cat to call it into play and was met with a grumpy “no”, he’d come to an abrupt stop and lower his head in a humble way—as if to say “Okay. Thank you for your time,”--and make a hasty retreat. It was heartwarming to watch Thomas. He seemed to know innately what the boundaries were with each individual cat. With the regal seventeen-year-old Sappho, for example, he recognized her clear dominance and need to be left alone. He clearly posed no threat to the dominance hierarchy. And Thomas was so good-natured, it seemed impossible to not like him. He was affable, and would keep trying to approach the other cats in a friendly way without fear of failure. It was as if he were completely pure of heart. He would contribute only harmony to the household. By the time Savannah went to her new home, the arguments against keeping Thomas were summarily dismissed, and Thomas was now a member of the family.
(#14 in sequence Living with Thomas)
UPDATE: The original analog photo was taken in 1995. I downloaded it today to get rid of a few spots on the photo, and I am reposting it for the Happy Caturday group's weekly theme "memories". It took a while to land on one choice, but this is both a memory of a specific moment and a reminder of two dear cats who crossed the rainbow bridge some time ago. Thomas remains my icon because he remains the most amazing cat I've ever known, and I still think of him often.
Happy Caturday, friends!!
Object of Affection #1
Since it was only going to be two weeks, I thought I’d see what would happen if I gave the kittens the run of the house. Thomas and Savannah had checked “negative” for serious feline illnesses, so there was no health risk to the other cats. I wondered what the reaction of the four adult cats in the household would be; Orson, for one, had been desperate to meet them. Orson always exhibits maternal behavior when he’s around babies and I knew he’d be gentle. With the other three, I prepared myself for the typical dramatic outbursts on first meeting. I expected arched backs--a hissing, spitting, fat-tailed Halloween image of cats. I got ready for standoffs and the usual defense of territory. But as each cat met Thomas, there was a conspicuous absence of friction. He charmed them with his deferential eagerness. Thomas paid attention to their cues and knew when to stop or back down. Maintaining the peace was more important to him than winning his way. If he galloped up to another cat to call it into play and was met with a grumpy “no”, he’d come to an abrupt stop and lower his head in a humble way—as if to say “Okay. Thank you for your time,”--and make a hasty retreat. It was heartwarming to watch Thomas. He seemed to know innately what the boundaries were with each individual cat. With the regal seventeen-year-old Sappho, for example, he recognized her clear dominance and need to be left alone. He clearly posed no threat to the dominance hierarchy. And Thomas was so good-natured, it seemed impossible to not like him. He was affable, and would keep trying to approach the other cats in a friendly way without fear of failure. It was as if he were completely pure of heart. He would contribute only harmony to the household. By the time Savannah went to her new home, the arguments against keeping Thomas were summarily dismissed, and Thomas was now a member of the family.
(#14 in sequence Living with Thomas)
UPDATE: The original analog photo was taken in 1995. I downloaded it today to get rid of a few spots on the photo, and I am reposting it for the Happy Caturday group's weekly theme "memories". It took a while to land on one choice, but this is both a memory of a specific moment and a reminder of two dear cats who crossed the rainbow bridge some time ago. Thomas remains my icon because he remains the most amazing cat I've ever known, and I still think of him often.
Happy Caturday, friends!!