![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
So that dreaded first step has been taken
Apr. 30th, 2011 06:08 amBecause, you guys, now I can admit that, much though I wished ze boyz and Lola might hit it off, I was also mortally afraid something bad might happen. Yes, Lola would be in her solid carrier, and yes, I was going to be there, but there still was a possibility for injuries. Eyes, paws, bites...
OK, so I didn't start the project on Thursday night, as I'd half-and-half decided, and neither did I do it yesterday morning. But last night after Pilates I did.
In the afternoon I'd already switched ze boyz' snuggly blanket for Lola's, and vice versa, and much sniffing ensued, followed by peacefully curling up on said blankets.
This was encouraging, and I decided to take the plunge.
So, what happened?
Surprisingly little, which is the bestest possible news.
Lola was purring while I took the carrier over to my place and only uttered a small meow, though not one of fear, when we entered the flat.
Ze boyz pricked their ears and strolled over to investigate.
My heart rate shot up to about 250, and I bravely sat down on the floor and talked to them in the voice one uses for dangerous madmen with bazookas.
Lola growled and hissed, but didn't try to attack through the grille.
Lucius, the beta-male, stayed well away and watched events unfold.
Cornelius prowled around the cage, hackles raised, but did neither hiss nor attack nor say anything.
Then he sat down at a distance.
Lola gowled.
Then Lola fell silent but growled whenever Cornelius so much as moved a whisker.
Cornelius did another round of prowling, accompanied by deep Lola-growls, and sat down a little closer to the cage.
Lola fell silent and didn't growl anymore when he moved.
Then Lucius decided it was time to do a bit of prowling, and came very close to the cage.
More growling, but no attacks.
Lucius sat down at a distance, looking watchful, and Cornelius went to sleep on Lola's blanket on the armrest of the couch.
Total silence.
When total silence had reigned for 10 minutes, I decided it was time to take Lola back home. The whole ritual had lasted about 45 minutes.
I let Lola, who was totally un-traumatized, out of her cage and fed her three slices of ham -- positive conditioning is a wondrous thing.
I'm going to do this again at least three times today, and will see whether anything changes, be it towards the positive or the negative. And then I'll think about the next step.
Considering what could have happened, I think the first encounter was rather positive. Ze boyz are the coolest cats on the planet, really. And Lola is a pretty cool girl, too.
Keep your fingers crossed, people, and send all the good vibes you can spare!
OK, so I didn't start the project on Thursday night, as I'd half-and-half decided, and neither did I do it yesterday morning. But last night after Pilates I did.
In the afternoon I'd already switched ze boyz' snuggly blanket for Lola's, and vice versa, and much sniffing ensued, followed by peacefully curling up on said blankets.
This was encouraging, and I decided to take the plunge.
So, what happened?
Surprisingly little, which is the bestest possible news.
Lola was purring while I took the carrier over to my place and only uttered a small meow, though not one of fear, when we entered the flat.
Ze boyz pricked their ears and strolled over to investigate.
My heart rate shot up to about 250, and I bravely sat down on the floor and talked to them in the voice one uses for dangerous madmen with bazookas.
Lola growled and hissed, but didn't try to attack through the grille.
Lucius, the beta-male, stayed well away and watched events unfold.
Cornelius prowled around the cage, hackles raised, but did neither hiss nor attack nor say anything.
Then he sat down at a distance.
Lola gowled.
Then Lola fell silent but growled whenever Cornelius so much as moved a whisker.
Cornelius did another round of prowling, accompanied by deep Lola-growls, and sat down a little closer to the cage.
Lola fell silent and didn't growl anymore when he moved.
Then Lucius decided it was time to do a bit of prowling, and came very close to the cage.
More growling, but no attacks.
Lucius sat down at a distance, looking watchful, and Cornelius went to sleep on Lola's blanket on the armrest of the couch.
Total silence.
When total silence had reigned for 10 minutes, I decided it was time to take Lola back home. The whole ritual had lasted about 45 minutes.
I let Lola, who was totally un-traumatized, out of her cage and fed her three slices of ham -- positive conditioning is a wondrous thing.
I'm going to do this again at least three times today, and will see whether anything changes, be it towards the positive or the negative. And then I'll think about the next step.
Considering what could have happened, I think the first encounter was rather positive. Ze boyz are the coolest cats on the planet, really. And Lola is a pretty cool girl, too.
Keep your fingers crossed, people, and send all the good vibes you can spare!
