Monday, July 27, 2009

One of the Family

By the human

Some of you have been wondering how Opus and Olive have been getting along.....

When I visited Olive at the animal shelter, she was in a room full of cats and didn't seem to mind. She sat in the window hoping to catch the attention of the humans on the other side, while mostly ignoring the cats inside. When I held her, she purred instantly and I never heard a bad word (or sound) come out of her sweet little mouth.



When we arrived in Italy, Olive's attitude changed. While Opus was excited to have a new friend, Olive was quick to let Opus know that SHE was the boss. Any time Opus would enter the room Olive would growl. Any time Opus got close to Olive, she hissed. For the first couple of days Opus was afraid Olive. It didn't take him long to realize that her bats to his head didn't hurt.



Opus wanted so much to play but Olive didn't want him anywhere near her. At one point I even cried because I thought that bring Olive into our home might have been a mistake. However one night while Opus was sleeping on our bed, Olive jumped up and laid down near him; a good sign that things might take a turn for the better. A few days later, she even let Opus lick her head. As the days passed, little by little, a friendship between the two began to blossom.



It has been over 3 months since Olive joined our family. I am happy to say that she and Opus have become the best of friends. They sleep near each other, play together and lick each other to death. I am also happy to report that Opus no longer cries out in the night like he did after Roscoe's death. Though we all love and miss Roscoe still, Olive has helped to fill the hole that Roscoe left behind.











Olive is still a bit of nervous cat. We can tell that in her last family she was not held much. She still cries out with a squeal each time we pick her up, but as time goes by she is learning to enjoy being snuggled. She has brought all of us so much love and joy and we are happy she has joined our family!

14 comments:

Gemini and Ichiro said...

You two get along better Gemini and I do! The Woman was just wishing we would like each other!

Thoughts said...

This is a precious story! What sweet kitties you have, and I am so sorry for your recent loss.

I am new to this blog and found you through other blogs. I LOVE your blog though! Hopefully we can be new friends! come on over and check us out sometime. We will be back to see you for sure!

Wags, woofs, purrs,
Theodore, Sasha, Benson and Gibson
(and jaime, the human)
thoughtsfurpaws.com

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are so happy that Olive and opus have become such good friends. ~S,S,C & F

PS: Mommy feels sorry for Fenris because us cats don't play or snuggle with him.

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Good to see you again and that you are getting along fine. Really cute photos of you two.

Jans Funny Farm said...

Such good news and cute photos. Thanks for the update.

Texas Espresso said...

I am so glad they love each other! i still wrestle with finding sophie a friend or not. they are so cute!

ps. aren't calicos so pretty!

Shilgiah the Cat said...

Hey, I could see up your nose in that last picture...haahaahaa! You two look so happy and beautiful together. Glad you are getting to be the best of friends.

What a wonderful story.

G and G A said...

Glad to see the photos! Enjoy so much seeing both of our grandkitties. We are so happy to hear that the two are setteling in and getting to know and appreciate each other. Olive has a big job ahead of her and looks like she is doing her best to make all happy. We will never forget Roscoe but now we have sweet Olive in our family bringing us new joys!

The Cat Realm said...

We are so happy to hear this! It is wonderful that you get along so well and are there for each other, bringing ever more happiness to all!

Anonymous said...

We are pleased that Olive is now poperly settled in. It must be so nice for Opus to have a playmate ans companion. Dear little Roscoe will always be missed and no cat can ever take his place (there will always be a Roscoe shaped hole in the family's heart) but we do think that Roscoe would want his brother to be happy and have companionship ~ until they can meet again.

The Crew said...

It's not always a smooth transition when introducing a new family member, but we're glad to hear things are going well now. I cried day & night when my littermate sister suddenly went to The Bridge. But when we adopted Tipper, that really helped me. We're happy that Olive helped Opus.

George

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

We're so happy that Olive is settling in and that she and Opus are good friends. Roscoe would want Opus to have a good friend to cuddle and play with.

Charlemagne and Tamar

Just Ducky said...

So glad the Opus and Olive are getting along better and are now friends.

Football training camps are opening, soon they will be playing for real.

Margaret Cloud said...

This is such a touching story, I am glad they are getting along.