More About the New Boy
Simon really is the most endearing little soul. He has the kind of solemn, wide-eyed goofiness that reminds me sharply of some of the cat-characters in Doreen Tovey's series of books about Siamese cats (have any of you read these, by the way? They're lovely). I keep taking photographs of him sleeping, because I am constantly finding him in the most abandoned sleep positions - on his back or lying across my legs with his head lolling downwards.
Tabitha seems to be coming round to him, despite herself. Mornings and evenings are now punctuated by cat races around the house (yesterday, I had to move a bewildered Robinson from the place in the hallway where he was being trampled by two sets of thundering paws). Yesterday, I actually spotted the two cats wrestling, and howled with laughter when Simon launched himself from a chair onto Tabitha's back, actually escaping without a pounding. Tabitha is very vocal, and given to screeching as if being murdered when she's only playing. I am getting used to this, too. Tabitha still thumps Simon regularly, but it is with claws sheathed and seems entirely in a not-very-successful effort to put him in his place.
My only concern is that Tabitha may be feeling a bit displaced in my affections. I try to give her lots of love, but she's staying a bit aloof. Also, Simon is extremely affectionate and likes nothing better than to snuggle - it's hard when Tabitha comes chirruping up for a cuddle and Simon is already there. I think I may leave Simon shut in the study with his breakfast in the early morning, because both Tabitha and I are missing our morning ritual of purrs over the laptop and her finishing off my cereal bowl. Simon will be annoyed, but I think Tabitha's needs come first.
However, all in all I'm delighted with this new member of my family, and so thankful that I happened to be in the right place at the right time to find him.
By the way, I think he's twice the size now that he was when I first got him, and he has big paws. And he eats like a horse. I suspect he's going to be large.
Tabitha seems to be coming round to him, despite herself. Mornings and evenings are now punctuated by cat races around the house (yesterday, I had to move a bewildered Robinson from the place in the hallway where he was being trampled by two sets of thundering paws). Yesterday, I actually spotted the two cats wrestling, and howled with laughter when Simon launched himself from a chair onto Tabitha's back, actually escaping without a pounding. Tabitha is very vocal, and given to screeching as if being murdered when she's only playing. I am getting used to this, too. Tabitha still thumps Simon regularly, but it is with claws sheathed and seems entirely in a not-very-successful effort to put him in his place.
My only concern is that Tabitha may be feeling a bit displaced in my affections. I try to give her lots of love, but she's staying a bit aloof. Also, Simon is extremely affectionate and likes nothing better than to snuggle - it's hard when Tabitha comes chirruping up for a cuddle and Simon is already there. I think I may leave Simon shut in the study with his breakfast in the early morning, because both Tabitha and I are missing our morning ritual of purrs over the laptop and her finishing off my cereal bowl. Simon will be annoyed, but I think Tabitha's needs come first.
However, all in all I'm delighted with this new member of my family, and so thankful that I happened to be in the right place at the right time to find him.
By the way, I think he's twice the size now that he was when I first got him, and he has big paws. And he eats like a horse. I suspect he's going to be large.