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Yep, yet another felinocentric post
Aug. 19th, 2013 03:40 pmSo skip, if you're not interested. It's more a Dear Diary thing anyway, to keep track of my labours and travails.
I'm not *complaining* as such, mind you, because I knew (more or less) exactly what I let myself in for when I adopted Rambo. I have to say, though, that the new addition to the "family" is very, very time-consuming.
At first, when there was no contact between the grown-up Critters and Rambo, I had to dedicate huge amounts of time to all four of them -- Critters, so they wouldn't become jealous, and Rambo, so he wouldn't become a hyperactive, antisocial kitten.
Over the long weekend there has been progress: Lucius und Cornelius are now constant visitors in Rambo's room, Rambo is seriously investigating the flat, and Lola is inching closer and closer. Funny, BTW, how the process of getting to know the new kitty shows who's the most self-assured. Cornelius, of course, who, after running for the hills twice, immediately took an interest and simply invaded Rambo's room. Lucius followed suit -- he's a bit more grumpy and volatile, so I have to be especially careful. I don't want major trauma to occur after all. Lola, the most insecure, still doesn't go very close and still hisses.
Anyway, carefully furthering the process of getting closer translates into endless hours of playing, de-escalating and watching.
Today I ordered two books on behavioural training for kittens. Who knows when the three adults can take over, and now is the most important phase of social learning, so I'll have to do it. If I'm successful, getting cozy with the Trio will be easier for Rambo, too.
I suppose I wouldn't be yammering at all, if only I didn't feel so terribly inadequate at times. Every now and again, I have this sensation of being a total loser who is bollocking it up completely, and I'll have to give away Rambo, and the Trio's relationship will be destroyed forever, etc.etc. This makes life a little more difficult, even though I always manage to catch myself before the total descent into the Black Hole.
I feel it most in the mornings (working days only), when I have to keep some semblance of a schedule, which is of course very difficult if a highly interested kitten insists on "helping". Locking him away for the duration isn't really feasible, because there's already so little time, and I don't want to deprive him of company. So his door stays closed only while I shower and clean my teeth, because I can't hear what's going on and, while I'm showering, I'm also a bit hampered in my freedom of movement. Otherwise, kitty is free to wander and receive visitors under the Mother Goddess's watchful eye.
Moments like this one, however, are heart-warming and pretty much compensate for everything else:
I'm not *complaining* as such, mind you, because I knew (more or less) exactly what I let myself in for when I adopted Rambo. I have to say, though, that the new addition to the "family" is very, very time-consuming.
At first, when there was no contact between the grown-up Critters and Rambo, I had to dedicate huge amounts of time to all four of them -- Critters, so they wouldn't become jealous, and Rambo, so he wouldn't become a hyperactive, antisocial kitten.
Over the long weekend there has been progress: Lucius und Cornelius are now constant visitors in Rambo's room, Rambo is seriously investigating the flat, and Lola is inching closer and closer. Funny, BTW, how the process of getting to know the new kitty shows who's the most self-assured. Cornelius, of course, who, after running for the hills twice, immediately took an interest and simply invaded Rambo's room. Lucius followed suit -- he's a bit more grumpy and volatile, so I have to be especially careful. I don't want major trauma to occur after all. Lola, the most insecure, still doesn't go very close and still hisses.
Anyway, carefully furthering the process of getting closer translates into endless hours of playing, de-escalating and watching.
Today I ordered two books on behavioural training for kittens. Who knows when the three adults can take over, and now is the most important phase of social learning, so I'll have to do it. If I'm successful, getting cozy with the Trio will be easier for Rambo, too.
I suppose I wouldn't be yammering at all, if only I didn't feel so terribly inadequate at times. Every now and again, I have this sensation of being a total loser who is bollocking it up completely, and I'll have to give away Rambo, and the Trio's relationship will be destroyed forever, etc.etc. This makes life a little more difficult, even though I always manage to catch myself before the total descent into the Black Hole.
I feel it most in the mornings (working days only), when I have to keep some semblance of a schedule, which is of course very difficult if a highly interested kitten insists on "helping". Locking him away for the duration isn't really feasible, because there's already so little time, and I don't want to deprive him of company. So his door stays closed only while I shower and clean my teeth, because I can't hear what's going on and, while I'm showering, I'm also a bit hampered in my freedom of movement. Otherwise, kitty is free to wander and receive visitors under the Mother Goddess's watchful eye.
Moments like this one, however, are heart-warming and pretty much compensate for everything else:
