In attempting to socialize with undersocialized cats who prefer to not socialize with humans, one finds oneself socializing with sociable cats who are willing to demonstrate the assets of sociability to their less sociable suitemates. Just such a social enterprise led to the discovery that Regina George‘s eyes roll up in her head in a sort of creepy yet completely adorable way when both of her ears are rubbed at the same time. (Aaaaaw!! Geeeeee!!) In a similar social circumstance, Sweet Pea revealed himself to be a bounding, blissful ball of buffoonery, scampering after toys between bites of chicken. Both Regina George and Sweet Pea also enjoy squeezy beef liver mush. As with chicken, if they’ll accept it from a human, then Sweetie will too. (Update: Sweetie will now eat his treats right in front of me…before I look away…without my having to move!!! Aaaaaw!! Geeeeee!!)
This begs the question, what was the precise catalyst that led to these discoveries? Why, it was nothing less than the magnificent, much celebrated adoption of the midnight marshmallow himself, Oram. Without Oram to cling to my hand while eating chicken, who would sweetie observe eating in front of me? Without Oram around, would would Sweetie watch enjoy casual socializing, such as lap sitting, face combing, and chatting over a cup of tea? With Oram’s gigantic presence gloriously relocated to a forever home, who would fill the essential role of Demonstrator in Chief? (Aaaaaw!! Geeeeee??)
Worrying, as is typical, was an unnecessary exercise and a complete waste of energy. Minus one giant, black cat with a white-tipped tail, two tabbies have taken up the mantle. Rather than running away when he sees me, Sweetie now runs to his preferred cubby in the cat tree. He awaits his treats attentively, if tentatively, exchanges slow blinks, and, now, only rarely waps my hand for too quickly venturing too close despite the proffered delicacies.
With utmost care and caution, the colorful calico Pisa is included in these shared treats. For her part, though, Pisa is still at the hissing-because-humans-have-no-business-at-all-being-all-up-in-my-business stage of her residency. Her introduction to the suite was very recent, so she has not had nearly as much time to adjust as Sweetie. Although at different stages of scared, both Pisa and Sweetie have two very friendly, playful, treat-begging suitemates in G setting good examples to follow. They are cats, so following even the best examples might take a significant amount of time. They are Tabby’s Place cats, so they can take forever if they want to.