Happier Kitteh Update - the love story
We got Dexter back in August 2010, and our main rationale (besides wanting to give a rescued kitten a home) was to bring in a companion for Miss Bonkers. Ever since we brought Bonkers home from the humane society in 2006, Miss Orlando basically ignored her (apparently, no other cat could replace Orlando's one true love, Miss Lucy). Consequently, poor Bonkers became lazy, overweight, and anti-social.
When we first brought the little man home, Bonkers was pretty upset. But little by little, Dexter won her over...mainly by following her wherever she went, constantly trying to get her to play, and sneaking up to cuddle with her whenever she slept. They started playing together - which mostly consisted of Dexter jumping on Bonkers until she started biting him in the head while he latched on and purred.
Then Dexter grew - and oh, did he grow:
Dexter when we first brought him home...
Dexter around 8 months...
He's now built like a bull-moose, with freakishly long, muscular legs that make him at least an inch taller than Bonkers. Their playtime is now reversed: Dexter lying on the ground and using his legs to kick Bonkers around while she tries to jump on him. Eventually she gets through, nips him in the head, and then chases him all over the house. At first, we worried that she was hurting him, but he just keeps coming back for more, egging her on every chance he gets. During nap time, Bonkers settles in, and then Dexter comes over, wraps those gangly legs around her, and starts grooming her face. He'll pause, press his forehead against her and wait for her to groom him. They take turns grooming each other until they both fall asleep, curled up in an embrace.
Although Dexter is not a lap cat in any way, I am thankful that he and Bonkers have bonded so much. She's lost weight (she actually has a waist now), and her energy level is so much higher. Now Bonkers makes occasional attempts to be lovey with us, and will sometimes grace our laps with her presence -- but her heart clearly belongs to Dexter. Given their ages, I guess this now makes her a cougar?
When we first brought the little man home, Bonkers was pretty upset. But little by little, Dexter won her over...mainly by following her wherever she went, constantly trying to get her to play, and sneaking up to cuddle with her whenever she slept. They started playing together - which mostly consisted of Dexter jumping on Bonkers until she started biting him in the head while he latched on and purred.
Then Dexter grew - and oh, did he grow:
Dexter when we first brought him home...
Dexter around 8 months...
He's now built like a bull-moose, with freakishly long, muscular legs that make him at least an inch taller than Bonkers. Their playtime is now reversed: Dexter lying on the ground and using his legs to kick Bonkers around while she tries to jump on him. Eventually she gets through, nips him in the head, and then chases him all over the house. At first, we worried that she was hurting him, but he just keeps coming back for more, egging her on every chance he gets. During nap time, Bonkers settles in, and then Dexter comes over, wraps those gangly legs around her, and starts grooming her face. He'll pause, press his forehead against her and wait for her to groom him. They take turns grooming each other until they both fall asleep, curled up in an embrace.
Although Dexter is not a lap cat in any way, I am thankful that he and Bonkers have bonded so much. She's lost weight (she actually has a waist now), and her energy level is so much higher. Now Bonkers makes occasional attempts to be lovey with us, and will sometimes grace our laps with her presence -- but her heart clearly belongs to Dexter. Given their ages, I guess this now makes her a cougar?