Humphrey (was Gypsy) adopted May 2010
Just to let you know how Gypsy is getting on. We call him Humphrey!
He started off a sad, dainty thing, with a sweet but haunted face. He was friendly and playful with us from the start, but growled and spat at our old cat, Barney. We kept them separate for 10 days, then decided they would have to 'sort it out'. So we moved the litter tray downstairs and left them to it overnight. In the morning Humph was hiding behind the curtains, still growling if Barney came near. So we persevered for a few more days. Humph was eating like a horse and playing wild games with his toys in the veg box, but hated Barney coming near him. Mostly Barney ignored the bad manners but occasionally he would make a run at Humph and spit back.
One evening my husband plonked Humph on his lap and had a word with him. 'Look Humph, Barney's not a bad lad and you're just going to have to get along. Stop growling!' He growled more and more. I joined in and told him to stop it, there's no need for it now, you're being silly. Humph growled some more and swished his tail. 'Humph, pack in the growling now!' we said, and Humph ran off sulking to his windowsill. Then Barney put in his twopenn'oth, and made a dash at Humph, with a swipe and a loud hiss! So that evening poor old Humph had a bit of a telling off from all of us. But guess what, it did the trick! Next morning, Humph was cautious, but didn't growl. A couple of days later Humph and Barney were sniffing noses and brushing past each other in doorways. What a result!
It's quite remarkable how much he's changed in 3 weeks. Now he's far from dainty: he's quite literally grown bigger and stronger, and he swaggers around the neighbourhood chasing squirrels and birds. He is a great big, swaggering alley cat who couldn't be more delighted to be out there strutting his stuff. He is so cocksure now that he ignores Barney's attempts to goad him. I think Barney wants to be in his gang! But Humph is way too cool to consider it!
