Bob and Stella (adopted August 2009)
I am happy to say that both Bob and Stella seem to have settled well with us. After the first few hours, Bob would come out of hiding, allow himself to be stroked and quickly ventured onto knees. He now spends his day luxuriating on various beds, sofas and window ledges, and knees, whenever we sit down for long enough!
Stella is certainly much more shy and a little distrustful of people. She still prefers her secret place - on the chair under the table, where she can hardly be found. However, the problems she had with the litter tray have disappeared now she can go out. Both of them wander in and out whenever they want, preferring early mornings and after dark, spending little time in our own garden, but exploring the whole area - very different from my last cat who rarely left the garden. Stella also loves sitting on stairs and the landing is the place where she feels most at ease to give and receive fuss from us, particularly just before bedtime. She loves to be stroked then, nestles into my hand and arm, walks round me, but has only twice attempted to sit on me, so I think, though the signs are good that she will gradually feel more trusting.
The two of them complement each other well. They get on so well together, often playing together, especially in the evening - tearing up and down the stairs and round the upstairs rooms, even though they now spend a lot of time apart during the day. Bob is very confident with us. He’s the one who jumps on the bed to remind me it’s breakfast time and sits on the edge of the kitchen as I prepare their food, while Stella hangs back a little. Outside, Bob seems clueless - like a little round-eyed child on a big exciting adventure, but easily scared by the unknown. Stella, however, is very wily outside - seems streetwise and always steps out with confidence. I have seen her watch Bob carefully when he could have got into difficulty with another cat, then prowl out from her hiding place to put the frighteners on the other cat by sheer force of numbers.
They are very much loved here. We thoroughly enjoy their different personalities, have a lot of fun with them and I think they like us too!
