Cats face introductions to lots of strangers when they’re first brought into a sanctuary. Like children just starting grade school, they have no idea who will become their newest best friends. They don’t know if they will like the lunches, or even if there will be lunches. Everything new and unfamiliar can be scary, and, of course, at a cat sanctuary, there will be other…um…cats.

For Silver, becoming a Tabby’s Place cat has been a fairly gentle transition. That is, at least, where people have been concerned. Tiny and floofy, Silver is liquid gold. She pours her heart out with affectionate kisses and contented purrs. A quick learner, Silver has already joined the ranks of cats who swarm the door at meal times or at every potential treat time, i.e. each time the door to the Community Room opens.

Community Room? Oh, yes! Silver was fast tracked into the Cool Kids Room (It’s labeled just left of the doorway, so it must be true. It’s definitely true.). There was initially some question as to the petite girl’s preferences regarding litter box usage. In fact, it was assumed that she would find it beneath her to use a litter box. But, we as we all know, that’s exactly where it should be when she needs it! To our great delight, the fantastic Drew opted for a low-stakes gamble. So, one day, shet set up Silver’s overnight crate with a litter box. Silver used it! A wonderful small victory for a place that treasures cleanliness for the benefit of the residents and their workforce.

Yet, there are reasons that celebrations are not in their fullest flower. Silver is extremely displeased with the fact that the term “residents” is plural. She is singularly unwilling to make new friends that have four feet and come complete with toe beans and a side of purr. Hilarious and true, Silver was overheard growling at Bob when his search for a nibble brought him within her personal space. Bob, being deaf, remained unaware and unconcerned. Lucky for him that Silver keeps her paws to herself and only voices her displeasure. Also lucky for Bob, he was adopted! Now, he has a forever family that can talk to him every bit as much as the people of Tabby’s Place. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t hear. We know. His family will know. Silver will only know that she won their one-sided disagreement.

Even as she celebrates this victory, the gray tabby is continuing her campaign to rid the CR (Community Room) of any inhabitants that are not Silver. Her distinctive language of non-love is largely limited to growling. So far, Rori (famed for sits), Brownie, and other door circlers, even occasionally Prescott (the sole dual-citizen, who has Lobby and CR rights), respect the growl. They are unconcerned about trying to make new friends with a cat who so clearly wishes not to befriend them.

Fortunately for the persons of Tabby’s Place (You can be one!), while Silver does not wish to make friends with one species, she is all in for ours. People provide everything a short-haired goddess of modest proportions could desire: petting, bedding, fish mush, plus many hands and arms to lick. As to the last, ick. Personal experience is proof that Silver’s preferred way to make people friends is to stun them with how adorable she is and then to lick them into delirium. Did I say “ick”? I meant to say ick. It’s icky. Silver is thorough. Silver’s licking is thoroughly thorough through and through. Silver’s licking is thoroughly thorough and icky.
Ick.

But, I digress.
Mea culpa.
Ahem.

As long as the other cats respect her space, Silver is content. She is happy to be our new friend. She will deign to allow us to keep our old friends. Her only stipulation is that our old friends do not approach her at any time ever. This makes sitting on the floor in the Cool Kids Room with Silver feel a bit like being in kindergarten when one unruly, yet lovely child is simply unwilling to play with the others at all. That’s okay. Things might change with time. Thankfully, we humans at the sanctuary learned our kindergarten lessons well. We’ve made a new friend in Silver, but we’ll keep our old friends too because every cat is more precious than gold.

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