Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 had separate write ups. I’m moving to weekly updates I think? If we’re going by the 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months pattern (see end of post) that makes some sort of sense I guess. But who knows, it’s my blog, I’ll do what I want.

February 27

Both kitties were out overnight, and Cali didn’t just come out and eat and go back. The camera picked her up near the door for a bit. Henry played with me some more with the stick toy. He even played in he sun with a mouse toy like a real cat.

In the afternoon, I was with them and I was near Cali. I slowly put my hand toward the pyramid. Closer and closer. I pet her tail successfully! Then I got greedy and went in for a second pet, and she swatted at me. My bad, she didn’t seem too miffed, mostly telling me to back off. Which I did. Refilled their bowls and went about my day.

Later that night, I was giving Cali some more Churu on the toothbrush, and slowly moved my hand down the handle with each refill. Eventually I got her to eat from my hand! No swatting or hissing. She kept giving me side eye, but I’ll take it!

February 28

Today I let Gwen into my bedroom, she’s been shut out for the last few days. She explored a bit, and then finally (with some hints from me) seemed to figure out that there was something in the bathroom. I opened the door a crack and used the feather toy to get them both interested. Gwen was very eager to see who/what was in there. Henry was more reserved. She started sticking her paw through the crack. I think Henry had his fill and he hissed. So I gently shut the door. They both hung around near the door, not agitated, just curious. I’d say a pretty successful first intro.

Henry thinking about playing with a toy. Henry on his side of the door. Gwen on her side of the door (and Henry’s shadow under the door).

Successfully got her all four paws out of the pyramid while feeding her a Churu! This photo was just before (only two paws out haha), while Henry supervises.

March 1

Overnight I left my bedroom door open so Gwen could sleep with me, I’ve been shutting her out and feeling bad about that, but it’s necessary to maintain two-door protocol (in case she gets past one, there’s still another door).

In the morning, I fed them and again was able to entice Cali out of her safety zone with a Churu. Henry continues to play more and more while I’m not in the room, and happily eats his food out in the open while I give Cali her Churu. He chirps at her while I’m doing it, which I can’t help feel like he’s saying, “See? She’s nice”.

Neither of them seemed concerned when I vacuumed my bedroom right outside the bathroom door, which is great.

My son is home from college for the week, so I brought him in to meet them. They retreated to their safe spaces. Cali at the Churu, but only from inside her pyramid. Henry stayed behind the tub the whole time. I came in a bit later and they were both still hiding.

I saw on the camera that Henry tried to play with Cali and she swatted and hissed at him, but it didn’t seem too serious. Henry did come out to play eventually. I saw them both out on camera a few times. I moved the food bowl, so the camera may just be picking up their movements more.

Left to right: Henry playing with his favorite toy. Henry taking part in the scent exchange. Henry checking out my sock.

March 2

Monday morning (we’re getting into a routine now), I went in to brush my teeth, wash my face, scoop poop, and feed them. The routine is now that I put food in Henry’s dish, then I sit down to give Cali a Churu. If I try and do her first, he tries to intervene. I was able to get her all the way out of her pyramid and right next to my knee. She also seems to retreat less in between bites. Henry ate and then circled around us a few times. He hasn’t been brave enough to walk behind me before, so that’s exciting.

If you look in the circle, you can see two little ears. That’s Cali! (Please ignore my morning hair and pjs). That’s a Churu in my left hand.

As I’m typing this up, I can hear (and see on the camera) that Henry is going nuts playing with his spring. Pouncing, chasing, zooming. You know, being a regular cat.

Another successful luring out of Cali with a Churu in the evening. I think Henry eats more than she does from the food bowls, so I don’t feel too bad about giving her extra Churus. (Also I really need to start dressing better when I go in there).

March 3

Overnight, Cali was actually out for at least 6 minutes! (Hard to say from what the camera catches or doesn’t catch.) That’s her on the ottoman while Henry explores. So exciting to see her more relaxed and not just inside her pyramid.

And here we are, Tuesday morning, just a few hours from exactly a week at home.This morning’s routine went well with Cali getting lured out with her morning Churu all the way to her whiskers brushing my hand and then…HER PAW TOUCHED MY LEG. And she didn’t freak out. I did! Internally. Haha. And when we were done, Henry came over and sniffed my toe.

They don’t seem to mind my presence while I move around their space. Cali sometimes sleeps, or briefly looks up at me, but isn’t doing the shut down thing nor does she need to always watch me. Henry will move to the other side of the room if he thinks I’m headed where he is, but is curious about what I’m doing. I’m excited to see what the next week brings!

Integration with Gwen

I think this will be a slow process. I mean, it’s normally a slow process, but it may need to be even slower. One of the recommended steps is to swap spaces. Since I can’t currently pick up Henry or Cali, there’s no way I’ll be able to swap spaces. Another of the steps includes playing near the door together, which will be no problem for Henry, but at the moment Cali will not participate in that. I’ll be patient, and try to make Gwen patient, too.

3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months

The common advice seems to be that milestones and progress follow the 3-3-3 rule.

The first 3 days they’re just settling in, understanding completely new surroundings. Where will food be? Where is the litter box? What’s with all these new sounds and smells? They’re overwhelmed, scared, and potentially shut down. Of course, with two shy/spirit cats, that’s on an even greater scale.

The first 3 weeks, they start to feel more settled. They get into a routine. They hopefully start to let their guard down. They can start to have some behavior issues. This reminds me of a pre-schooler who behaves so well at school, but then melts down the moment they’re home and comfortable. Having completed week 1 of 3, I’m definitely seeing Henry let his guard down some. And they understand the routine. I’m in no rush and I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes Cali a lot longer than the three weeks.

At 3 months, they should hopefully feel comfortable in the home and begin to build trust and bond. They feel secure in the home. Again, I won’t be surprised if Cali takes a bit longer.