(no subject)

[rusty_halo]

Lots of people have been asking me how my cats are, so here is an update for whoever is interested.

I'm really glad to have them with me. They've both adjusted to the move by now and seem fairly content.

Angel is happier than I've ever seen her. She likes the peace and quiet, and she loves being able to sleep without being trampled on or tossed about by the dog, my father, etc. Her favorite thing in the world is to snuggle up to a person, and I let her do this whenever I'm there, so she's very happy. (For example, whenever I watch TV she invariably curls up next to me and molds her body to mine, and she's in heaven if I put my arm around her.) She comes across now as a happy, sweet cat--you'd never imagine that at my parents' house everyone considered her an insane psycho who was always screaming and crying and throwing herself about in desperate pleas for attention.

Lucifer isn't doing quite so well--I don't think he's as happy here as he was in New Jersey. He has an unquenchable adventurous spirit; his favorite thing to do back at my parents' house was to sit by the back door, watch the birds through the glass, and dart out the instant someone opened the door. It was dangerous--he got into fights, got scratched and cut, and once caught a fever and nearly died--but it was also very exciting. He's safer indoors--but he misses being able to go outside. And he misses Darth, the dog, and all the activity of the house (not that there was as much activity once my brother and I moved out, anyway). I can tell he's bored and lonely, and I hate to crush his spirit, but he is much safer this way....

So I'm trying to keep him happy by buying lots of toys and playing with him a lot. He loves this toy called the cat dancer, he loves the laser pointer I bought, and he loves this dangling toy fish that I have hanging from the wall. And he's as cuddly as ever, and very happy to get attention from me. He loves to be petted, so as long as my full attention is on him, he's happy. It's just that as soon as I try to do anything other than pay attention to him, he either bites at me or goes off and sulks.

I'm also a little bit annoyed by their dominance arrangement. Angel is the boss--she's older, been a member of the family longer, and Vanilla, the old boss, liked her better. So when she's demanding my attention (which she pretty much always does), Lucifer isn't allowed to participate. He has to sit on the floor when she cuddles with me--she won't share. So I've been going out of my way to pay extra attention to him, since he's not allowed to ask for attention when she's around.

It really annoys me that they don't get along better. They could keep each other company when I'm away, but no, all they do is ignore each other or fight. Lucifer often tries to go over and groom her, but she always hisses and bites at him. I tell her to be nice to him, but, y'know, she doesn't speak English.

I am, however, very relieved that the latest bedroom re-arrangement seems to be working. I bought this 7-foot tall, 3-panel screen to block my entrance way, and am using it as a door. So far they haven't figured out how to get around it, so I don't have to worry about them escaping the bedroom when I'm away. Yet.

Comments

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

Dog psychologists say that animals' keepers should re-inforce or at least abide by the dominance hierarchy the animals establish among themselves: that way everyone knows their place - otherwise, when you are there, they may be equal, but when you are not they will keep fighting to be top, whereas if you let the dominant one be dominant, all the time they don't have to keep fighting over it. But its very hard and undemocratic. Maybe when they've settled in a bit more, and both feel more secure, they will not be so jealous over you.
Its taken two years for our older cat, Faggot, who we've had for 10 years, to get used to the new cat, Buffy, who we inherited - cats don't like change, never 'ave done, never will do!

[idyll.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that the cats are doing well. I was rather busy and over-worked when you first posted about the situation so I couldn't comment, but I'm a cat lover and I'm so glad that they're safe and secure. I'm sure the spare issues will settle eventually.

[10zlaine.livejournal.com]

You could get a gerbil, it's mesmerized my naughty-wishes-for-outside kitty! LOL.

Seriously, though, I haven't much time, but thanks for posting the update! With any luck I'll be able to visit them before end of summer. lonners wants to come to NYC after MR for a two days before she leaves Wed., so maybe we can stop by then?

not to be all inviting myself or nuthin, as you might be sick of us by then...

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

You could get a gerbil, it's mesmerized my naughty-wishes-for-outside kitty! LOL.

I remember once, at my parents' house, for some reason we had a fish in a small tank on our cat table (formerly kitchen table, but by then the cats owned it and the humans ate in the dining room). Vanilla used to sit there for hours and hours staring at that poor goldfish....

*misses Vanilla*

so maybe we can stop by then?

Of course! You're totally invited, don't worry. I so rarely get to see you; it would be great to spend more time hanging out. :)