We have been trying to get into the psyche of the cat and dog world here the last couple days in order to break down barriers between Ellie and a visiting cousin, Bella (which I believe is short for Bella Luna de la Notte). Sorely feeling the vulnerability of being the only feline in the house now, Ellie has become quite aware of her greater responsibilities to defend the home place, even from others of her own kind who wander into our yard. No longer does she have brothers to take on the task of escorting interlopers off the property. So, when cousin Bella came to stay for a few days this week, Ellie faced her with mixed emotions and a lot of spitting.
Bella is sweet tempered and quite polite; a bit hard of hearing with perhaps slightly hampered vision. Being fully open about acknowledging her place as visitor-to-another’s-turf, she steps carefully and waits to be invited before moving, all the time somewhat pre-occupied with wondering when her family will be back.
Ellie, feeling somewhat betrayed that another should be adopted, even temporarily, and allowed to wander the house freely and even sleep upstairs, is intent on flushing out any greedy motives to infringe as well as to physically protect herself from this large, unknown canine. To this end she has vigilantly refused to give up her favorite spaces and has decided she has little appetite.
We humans have tried to acknowledge and comfort both parties and help them find safe ways to move past one another and even exist within the same room; not an easy task, by any means, but one that shows improvement. Last night, for instance, we all managed to get upstairs to our agreed upon sleeping places without any growling, whining, or hissing. Oh, to be sure, suspicion still lurked freely, but no accusations were flung about as had occurred the night before. This is definitely progress.
Bella is sweet tempered and quite polite; a bit hard of hearing with perhaps slightly hampered vision. Being fully open about acknowledging her place as visitor-to-another’s-turf, she steps carefully and waits to be invited before moving, all the time somewhat pre-occupied with wondering when her family will be back.
Ellie, feeling somewhat betrayed that another should be adopted, even temporarily, and allowed to wander the house freely and even sleep upstairs, is intent on flushing out any greedy motives to infringe as well as to physically protect herself from this large, unknown canine. To this end she has vigilantly refused to give up her favorite spaces and has decided she has little appetite.
We humans have tried to acknowledge and comfort both parties and help them find safe ways to move past one another and even exist within the same room; not an easy task, by any means, but one that shows improvement. Last night, for instance, we all managed to get upstairs to our agreed upon sleeping places without any growling, whining, or hissing. Oh, to be sure, suspicion still lurked freely, but no accusations were flung about as had occurred the night before. This is definitely progress.
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