Alice Waters and Carly Simon: Two Kitties

When our beloved Teddy Bear died suddenly we knew the only way to heal our hearts was to find another MC who needed a home, preferably a male. Little did we know we would be adopting two older females, a mother and daughter; both of whom growled!

We named the mother Alice Waters when early on we noticed she liked to be in the kitchen. We named her daughter Carly Simon as she seemed torn between extreme shyness and wanting to be a star. We adopted them in July 2006

Alice has adjusted very well and hangs out with everyone except for the dog. She especially likes Jim. She still growls now and then but is basically a very happy girl. She sure is aptly named, she loves people food and comes running whenever she smells any being prepared. Jim has nicknamed her "The Chef". She has learned the house rules concerning sleeping on the bed. She likes to snuggle and seems to enjoy the company of the other cats as they do the same on their individual towels. During the day she can usually be found in the cat bed we have set up in the dining area off the kitchen.

Carly is adjusting steadily. She shadows me everywhere I go within the house. She does like to be catered to. If you forget to fill the water bowl with fresh water in front of her she will jump up on the counter to drink out of the sink or faucet. She is more standoffish with the other cats. The other day I mentioned to Jim that something had caused her to reject the place I had set up for her beside the bed. He reminded me that a few months back it was a big deal when she moved from behind the toilet to the shower! So it's a minor setback. She still has a temper and growls anytime you try to hold her but we have discovered that often her bark is worse than her bite. Down deep she wants the attention, she just has to learn to trust us. Even Frank, our friendly male cat, has learned that most of the time the growl is now more of a habit than a 'imminent attack' warning. She has attacked him more than once but he just rolls up into a ball or at the most sort of spreads his paws out wide and bats her away. He is determined to make her a friend. He won over Alice some time back. Ivy, our shy little female is at ease with both the girls and doesn't seem to take offense if she gets a swat from Carly now and then; so I think even she sees it as an act.

The other night I was amazed to feel Carly climb into bed next to me. I couldn't get over it. It was around 1am and she eventually got annoyed that Frank was there already and left. She hasn't done it again, that I know of, but at least she did it once. Yesterday I caught her playing with a bean she found on the kitchen floor and every once in awhile we actually see her completely relaxed, playfully rolling around on the floor in the sun spot from the kitchen skylight. So, we know if we just give it time she'll come around. After all, every once in awhile I catch her giving me that kitty 'look of love'.

January 2007
Mary and Jim Chandler