Lexi

Tuesday on my blog was a day of tribute to my one and only cat, Fyona.  Having never owned a pet growing up, it was quite an experience inheriting responsibility for a cat who already had it in for me. But I survived. Almost eleven years later, in fact.

Wenesday was the day that Lexi came over.

She’s seven. And pictured above. Her owner, Becky, had made plans for her to live here a while back — as her soon-to-be finance is allergic to cats. We didn’t know when that would be, but the schedule kind of fast-tracked on all of us. It brought up questions: how would these two cats get along? Would there be an issue with the 7-year age difference? What about the fact that Fyona is blind? Or that Lexi has claws? How long will it take for the two of them to get acclamated to each other?

Will these two cats learn to communicate and rise up against the house humans?

So far we’ve planned (over-planned?) a regimen to get Lexi feeling welcome in our home — and to get both her and Fyona used to each other. Yesterday she spent the night here in the office with Becky sleeping on the pull-out couch.  She spent the day in here — most likely playing Crazy Taxi and looking at lewd, scantily clad masters degree seeking students on the internet. Tonight while we were home we gave her some time to explore.  The dynamic between her and Fyona was not unlike the postitioning of girls and boys at a fifth grade dance. Both of them treaded with extreme caution.

Until, of course, the rumble occurred. Lexi figured a way to get her larger self through the baby gate and into Fyona’s personal space — under our bed. There was a lot of meowing, hissing and growling…

And tonight? I’m having a sleepover here in the office with Lexi. Just the two of us.

Yes. The above paragraph is grounds enough to revoke my man card for the unforseeable future.  But this is a great way to get used to me, right? She’s been rather skittish about being locked up in a stranger’s house so far; might as well at least spend some time with the person who owns that office.

And so far? It hasn’t been bad! Although I must admit — Lexi is quite the bed hog…

I’ll keep you all posted. Hopefully she doesn’t pee on my head while I sleep. Or look through my wallet. But we’ll see…