Bad introductions

Yesterday Zekie and Leeroy had their first proper introduction. Leeroy wanted to explore and make friends, but Zekie really didn’t want the company. But although he wasn’t impressed, he at least wasn’t violent or overly aggressive. Lots of hissing, growling and death stares, but generally Zekie remained safely in his corner, watching disapprovingly at his foster brother. Leeroy wandered around his new, unexplored territory, politely scampering away when he got too close to the big, mean hissing monster. After a while we decided they had had enough excitement for one day, and sent Leeroy back to his half, satisfied that while it would take some time, it would work.

Today however, things didn’t go so well. Zeke seemed more hostile than before, and more bold. Rather than wait until Leeroy got too close, Zeke would follow him around and hiss whenever he got too close to one of Zeke’s toys. Eventually, though, he settled under the table and fired death stares at Leeroy while he and I played with a ball. It was even Zeke’s ball (this was intentional on my part, I wanted Zeke to know that it’s OK). This was working well, but then suddenly Leeroy kicked the ball and it veered close to Zeke’s food bowl. That’s when things got bad. Before I had a chance to get between them, Zeke bolted full speed, cornering Leeroy against at wall and SWIPE! with his paw. No damage was done, I dragged Zeke out of range before he succeeded in his attempt, and we were forced to send Leeroy back to his half of the house.

After yesterday’s introduction, I had gotten my hopes up that it would only get easier from there. But it would appear that this is going to be a hard slog, and the little sleep I am getting is going to reduce even further. I really hoped they would get along a bit better than this. Zekie is very dominant, but that’s OK because Leeroy is submissive – to the point where he rolled onto his back in front of Zeke, and it stopped him from hissing. Unfortunately as soon as he got up, the hissing recommenced, but it was a start. A good start, that was followed by a bad end.

I hope this gets easier!

The downfall of being a crazy cat lady

Sitting in my living room, neatly in a row, is a piano, guitar, bass, amp and easel. So why aren’t I in my living room making the most out of that exciting and inspiring collection? Because I love cats. I really, really love cats.

We (my partner and I) are the proud parents of a 5 year old Bengal named Zekie. He is a beautiful marble boy, and displays a love and loyalty towards us that you would normally associate with canines. He has grown up as an only child, and although I always wanted another cat, Zekie’s happiness is paramount, and he has always had difficulties getting along with other animals. Then we meet Leeroy – a 6 and a half year old Bengal boy who was stuck in a shelter. He is a soft and cuddly brown spotted Bengal, and we just had to help him! So I signed up as a foster carer with a view to adopt, and I brought him home. 

Introducing Bengals is a tricky experience at the best of times, and I have to tread very lightly with my poor Zekie. Luckily, we are able to separate our house into two equal parts while we acclimatize them to their new living situation. So here I am in the back half of the house, sharing my attention with Leeroy. I don’t need to be actively showering him with love and attention, but sometimes he just needs one of us back here so he doesn’t feel alone.

It’s a slow process, and I do feel like I’ve had to give up a lot of my time, but I know it will be worth it in the long run. We have introduced them several times through flyscreen, and although Zekie still hisses, he does seem to be getting better. And Leeroy just wants to hang out with his new brother! So even though I’ve got a painting traced out into a canvas just waiting for paint, and the bridge to a song that desperately needs more attention before my next jam session, I’m just going to sit here for a while longer and tell Leeroy what a good, patient boy he is and that his new mummy will do whatever it takes to give him the best furrever home he could hope for.