Below is a diary following the progress of two feral kittens on their path from being wild outdoor kittens to tame domestic cats. It is posted here on the website as encouragement to others who adopt feral cats and kittens so that they might find some encouragement. No two kittens are the same but over time all cats can become trusting of humans if provided with the right incentives and patience.

There are many ways to socialize kittens. Although one can enclose kittens in a small space and step up the bonding by forced proximity with humans, the diary below is an account of the low pressure bonding that we prefer at Urban Cat League. It’s not often that we can place kittens that haven’t been completely tamed but this is the ideal way for cats to slowly learn to trust and bond with their caretakers.

Background on Rosie and Mo:
Three kittens from the same litter had been caught in a TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) project on Roosevelt Island. The kittens were neutered and were ready to be released back to the outdoor colony with the rest of the adult cats. Although the kittens were several weeks older than the age where kittens can easily be socialized, one of the trappers had worked with them and felt they could be socialized if adopted by a patient person with the right information about how to work with them. An Urban Cat League volunteer, Catharine agreed to foster the more feral of the two kittens and eventually decided to adopt them permanently. The third kitten also found an adoption. Catharine received the female kitten first, and the Male kitten a couple of days later. Here’s their story. We’ll continue to add installments of their progress.

First Month
When the kitten, which I named Rosie (short for Roosevelt), arrived at my house, she wouldn’t come out of the cat carrier for 3 hours. She looked terrorized every time I so much as looked at her. She ventured out after 11:00 PM and explored my apartment, all 400 square feet of it. I could hear her walking around and meowing in the night. When I got up the following morning, she was wedged behind the TV and expressed no interest in coming out. She had obviously helped herself to some food and water overnight, and left footprints in the litter box although nothing else. She didn’t seem anti-social as much as just scared and shy. She showed no evidence of being high strung or anxious. I decided to let her take her time and not pick her up or force her to come out. I figured that once she became acclimated to her new environment, she would probably come out more often. She is very curious, and had climbed on every surface and into every corner of my apartment.

Day 3
I got a call that day that one of the males was adopted and I could now have the other. The male arrived at my house on Saturday. I am calling him Mo. Upon his arrival at my house, Mo was out of the cat carrier and joined his sister behind my table immediately. Neither one came out for a long time. Rosie had been with me for 2 days and nights and still did not come out or interact with me at all. She plays with toys, eats, drinks, and uses the litter box, but not when I am watching. When I peeked behind the table this afternoon, both cats were huddled together. They seem happy with each other's company. Rosie is definitely nocturnal. She gets going after sundown and seems to be up most of the night. This is not surprising with outdoor cats since they are so vulnerable during daylight when they can be seen and only come out after dark.

Day 4
The kittens still had not made an appearance by Sunday night. I knew they were happy because they were eating, drinking and using the litter box. Also, Rosie had meowed for the two days before I got Mo, and had not made a peep since he arrived. They are inseparable and sleep, eat, and play together. I enticed them to come out from behind the table by opening a can of tuna fish. I also got them to play with a toy: an elastic with a bell and feathers on the end, which they chased and batted about. They seem less afraid of me in that they will cross through a room while I'm in it, but they don't come close. Rosie is much more outgoing than Mo, maybe because she has been with me longer. She came out to eat the tuna and play with the toy while Mo warily watched from a distance at first. Mo got jealous and did play with the toy a little bit but lacked her energy and enthusiasm. They are both obviously healthy and active and completely devoted to each other. I would not recommend that they be separated.

Day 5
I got home late last night and coaxed Rosie out with food and then she played forever as I dangled the feather & bell on an elastic that she chased and batted. In her focus on the toy, she mostly forgets I exist and runs around and near me with no concerns. Her brother, Mo, on the other hand did not come out. He watches from a distance in his hiding place with an expression of extreme boredom on his face. I don't know if his issue is fear or simply disinterest.

This morning I put all their food in a bowl in the middle of the couch. Needless to say, both cats came out to eat but as soon as I came into the room, they took off. Rosie came back to eat and also played with a toy by herself while I was on the computer. She obviously is getting used to my presence. As long as I ignore her, she's fine sharing the same space. As soon as I look at her, she gets nervous and moves away. She's showing a lot of progress though. I'm going to need to work harder with Mo or find something that will make it worth his while to come out for. The toy is just not his thing.

They continue to eat like pigs, drain the water dish, and use the litter box. So they are healthy, growing kittens who are not acting out. As I write this, Mo has come out to join Rosie to see what she's doing. If I win her over, maybe he'll follow by example.

Day 6
Kittens being kittens and cats being curious, Rosie & Mo are venturing forth more often. I deliberately left a smaller amount of food out when I left the house this morning which was completely gone when I got home. When I returned home I put out a large bowl of food in the middle of the couch hoping it would coax them out. They didn't really go for it, but they did play with some toys, and went into the kitchen and bathroom while I went about my business. I think it's just a timing issue with them wanting to play/hunt after dark. They are wary of my presence and keep track of where I am, but seem comfortable with me in the house although not anxious to get too close. The progress continues and I look forward to the day when I can hold and pet them. The good news is that they've shown no signs of aggression to me or to each other. I haven't heard a peep out of either one of them since the two were reunited: no meowing, hissing, or growling.

Day 7
Rosie & Mo are coming along. They are moving freely around the apartment although mostly when I am not looking. Rosie is much bolder in her willingness to move about in my presence. However, she is much more timid about being touched. Both will eat out of my hand, albeit very reluctantly. Mo will allow me to pet him while he's eating, but Rosie still flinches every time I touch her. However, when she sees me touching Mo, Rosie is less freaked out when I try to touch her. Hopefully, each will be an example to the other since their fear areas seem to be different. They both like to have a play session with me and the toys at night. Using food and toys as an incentive, they should continue to make progress. This may take awhile but no danger signals so far.

Day 12
I've been home all weekend and have seen less of the kittens than during the weekdays. They really do sleep all day long. I ran the vacuum today and they didn't budge. Before I left the house tonight I had to poke them both to see if they were still alive. Around 6:00 PM they start to stir and come out. They play all night and early morning, retiring shortly after I get up or leave the house. They are very comfortable in my apartment. They will move about freely and plop themselves down at the other end of the couch from where I'm sitting to take a bath or nap. They run around and play together or with their toys as if I'm not even around. However, they are not comfortable when I move in their general direction, scurrying into one of their hiding places. I haven't forced the issue of trying to touch them as it prevents them from coming near me at all. I want to get to the point where they treat me like a piece of furniture instead of a giant ogre about to overrun their village. When they are comfortable sitting next to me, the touching part won't be a problem. As I type this, they are each sitting at opposite ends of the couch a couple of feet away from me. As soon as I lean forward, they are off and running.

They seem much bigger already and their activity level increases daily. The pitter-patter of little feet running about and the sound of the bells jingling on their toys and the muffled "thump" as they jump on and off furniture are wonderful sounds.

Day 15
The last two days I've left the apartment really early and returned really late. They must have missed me, because when I came home, even though there was food still in their dish, they came over to greet me when I sat down on the couch. They come close but don't like it when I reach or move toward them. Mo will eat out of my hand and lick food (usually soft cheese) off my finger. Rosie will eat food out of a dish next to me, but won't get near my hand. The cats have made themselves at home and go regularly into the bedroom which they didn't before. They run around everywhere chasing each other and playing with toys. One of them loves to remove the drain trap in the bathroom sink while I'm sleeping.

Both cats are enjoying my apartment and each other's company. We can all go about our business without terrifying each other. Some day I may be able to touch them, but we are taking baby steps. We continue to make good progress.

Day 19
The cats continue to enjoy my apartment. They seem to be switching to a less nocturnal way of life. They still run around while I'm asleep at night, but not as much. They both love to chase the toys so I can wear them out if I'm home. They both seem to be getting bigger. Mo is bigger and stronger than Rosie but doesn't take advantage of it. They play so nicely with each other. The two cats I had growing up which were from the same litter, beat the crap out of each other, screaming, and leaving tufts of fur behind. I inadvertently scared the begeesus out of Mo yesterday when I pulled a box out from under a table not knowing he was sleeping on it. He hid behind the toilet for the rest of the morning. I'm fortunate that neither shows any signs of aggression toward me (or each other). Surprisingly, they don't howl, hiss, growl, or moan at all. Rosie cried a lot the first couple of nights she was here but hasn't made a sound since Mo arrived. They are still comfortable in my presence but cringe and get ready to run when I move in their direction. As they realize that I'm not going to touch or chase them, their flight reaction decreases. I find them enchanting and adorable although I'm sure they don't think the same of me. We continue to progress.

Day 21
I bought baby food and have the cats eating out of my lap while I pet them. They are less afraid every day and come out when I'm around. They sit and lie near me without terror when I move. They are really coming along. My attempts to get them to sleep through the night are meeting with mixed results. I can still hear them chasing and playing with each other. I put all the toys out in the morning and take them up before bedtime to discourage them from playing in the middle of the night. They are both using the litter box - no accidents/incidents as long as I keep the litter box clean. I come home at night to find shredded toilet paper, pens and other objects on the floor, and small area rugs bunched up in the corners, so I know they are having a good time when I'm not home. As long as they have a good time while I am home, they should be fine.

Day 23
Rosie and Mo will let me pet them while they eat baby food. We had a nice long play session last night with the toy on the elastic. They come over and sit next to me all the time so they are comfortable in my presence, but they still don't like to be approached. They are getting big. Rosie is still smaller and skinnier but she eats plenty. They are obviously healthy and happy and continue to progress well.

Day 26
Rosie & Mo continue to be adorable. They enjoyed a fair amount of turkey baby food this Thanksgiving weekend. They are fine with my petting them while they eat the baby food and I increase how much and where I touch them each time. They still will not let me touch them when no food is involved but they love to sit near me as long as I don't reach toward them. Rosie is much bolder and likes to watch whatever I am doing and plops herself down in the middle of the couch or floor while Mo watches from a safe hiding place. They both love to play and take turns chasing the toy on the elastic. I've never seen siblings play so well together. They are becoming less nocturnal. They are getting big! Rosie is still skinnier and smaller and always will be. One of them (probably Mo) likes to steal the drain catch from the bathroom sink and hide it for me to find. Other than that, they don't jump up on things or knock things on the floor. They do sharpen their claws on my rugs and furniture and I'm glad I didn't invest in a new couch since they are tearing mine up. I don't mind in the least since everything I own is crap anyway. As kittens go, they are very non-destructive but they do love to wrestle and chase each other when I'm out or asleep. They continue to enchant and amuse.

Second Month
Day 32
Rosie and Mo are the cutest. They eat like pigs and are getting bigger every day. They are both fine with my petting them while they eat food out of a bowl in my lap but still don't like to be touched otherwise. They now jump up on the couch and sit next to me every time I sit down. They must be getting a new set of teeth because I keep finding little teeth around the apartment. The high winds last night scared them a little because the windows and skylights in my apartment were rattling. I could tell because they stuck together and winced every time the wind blew. They are coming along nicely. The still sleep most of the day. They have a play period when I get home at night and always run around between 6:30 & 7:30 AM.

Day 35
The kittens are coming along. Rosie is still more outgoing and follows me around and sits next to me. One of them got up on the bed with me the other night after I went to bed, but I don't know which one because it was too dark to see. Normally, they never even come into the bedroom when I am in there. They still have a morning play session with each other between 6:30 and 7:30 AM every morning. They play with me when I come home. They sit on the couch with me every time I sit down. Rosie let me pet her without food the other day but there was food in the vicinity. As long as they are in the act of eating, both will let me touch them anywhere on their bodies.

Day 38
The kittens like the baby food OK, but when I bring out cheese, they climb all over me to get to it. They both allow me to pet them before and after I feed them cheese. They have gotten into the habit of following me around the house and always escort me into the kitchen. They are very much at home and my presence no longer sends them skittering behind and under furniture. The next step is being able to pick them up and hold them. At the rate we're going, I should be able to do that some time in the New Year. They are such a joy.

Day 41
Rosie has started to rub against my legs when I'm in the kitchen - the first physical contact either of the kittens has ever initiated. I've given up on the baby food (which they liked) for cheese (which they love). They will tolerate almost anything for cheese. They play a lot, chasing each other. My wish to no longer be the giant ogre in their world and become a piece of furniture in their minds has come true. They run past and around me as they play as if I were the coffee table. They show no fear of me unless, of course, they think I am going to touch them, which I never do unless they come to me first. They steal my socks to wrestle with, and knock their toys under the couch where they can't reach them and then expect me to retrieve them. They are training me well. Rosie (maybe because she's female) is out and about a lot as the huntress, playing with toys and looking to be fed; Mo (maybe because he's male) sits in an isolated place and does nothing. However, whatever one is doing, be it eating, playing with a toy, or using the litter box, the other will quickly join in. They have become less nocturnal and sleep through the night with a play period before bedtime and first thing in the morning. They obviously also play while I'm out during the day (judging by the mess when I get home), but also sleep a lot during the day as well. All is going fabulously.

Day 45
Rosie continues to rub against my legs when I go into the kitchen. She is always the first to approach me when I feed them. Mo always hangs back and waits to see what I do to Rosie before he decides to come out. He is such a scaredy-cat. Both Rosie & Mo continue to have no problem with my touching them as long as there is food in the vicinity. They especially like to be scratched behind the ears and I can hear purring. When I arrive home, Rosie is always sitting in the same place on the couch, and Mo is always curled up in the same place behind the furniture. They never meow, cry, or make any sounds. I've never had such un-vocal cats. I know Rosie is capable of crying because she did it for the two nights before Mo got here. I don't know if it is because they are afraid the sounds will bring attention to them, or they have no reason to make any noise. Rosie almost let out a little cry the other day as she was rubbing against my legs as I prepared food for them, but it was so stifled you could barely hear it.

Day 53
Rosie and Mo continue to be their silly selves. Any time I offer food, Rosie is first in line. She gobbles away while her brother watches. I don't know if he is a gentleman or just not hungry. Still, he lets me pet him while she is eating, so mission accomplished. They both like to be scratched behind the ears and on the back of the neck. Rosie is the far more active of the two. She likes to run around and play a lot, and also seems to eat a lot more than her brother, even though she is smaller. She's the huntress and he's the couch potato.

Rosie continues to be very gregarious. She rubs against my legs more and more and occasionally becomes a tripping hazard. She has started to express an interest in the front door (as in going out into the hallway). Before, when I opened the door, they would both make themselves scarce.

My 8-year-old niece and 5-year-old nephew are spending the night with me tonight. This will be the first people other than me to enter the apartment since I got the kittens. It will be interesting to see how they react (the kittens, I mean, not the children). I'll let you know how it goes.

Day 55
Well, no surprise but when my niece and nephew were here, Rosie & Mo didn't make an appearance. After the kids went to bed, Rosie and Mo came out long enough to give me a disdainful expression and then went back into hiding. I slept on the couch and figured they'd come out in the night, but they never did. I took the kids to the Park in the morning and as far as I could tell, the cats didn't even venture out while we were gone. I took the kids to my parents for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. When I returned tonight, both cats were very happy to see me, especially since I didn't have the dreaded children. I received a very warm reception. When I sat on the couch, they were all over me, wanting to be scratched and petted. They have followed me around the apartment and Rosie, as always, has been rubbing against my legs. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Second Month
Day 60
My sister and father dropped by my apartment the other night and the cats were extremely circumspect. I opened a jar of baby food which enticed Rosie to come out of hiding but not for long. Any movement my family members made sent the cats packing with a look of fear and horror on their faces. They have the same reaction to any noise in the hallway outside my apartment.

Right now they are both curled up together on the couch, sound asleep. They see me as benevolent but strangers are still the enemy. I sat down on the couch this morning and they both came over expecting to get food (baby food, cheese, cat treat) but I just pet them and they were fine with it. They like being scratched around the head and behind the ears and on the cheek. Rosie purrs, but Mo sounds like he's wheezing because his purr is more like heavy breathing. I rewarded them with treats after the fact. I am still not able to lean over and touch them from a standing position, even when Rosie is rubbing against my legs, without having them take off. I am still very far from being able to pick them up, although they don't mind being touched under the belly or my making a lifting-type motion, as long as I have food.

I'm still amazed at how gentle they are with each other and with me. What they do to my belongings is another story. I'd rather they take out their aggressions on my furniture than on me. I just love having them and they seem very appreciative of being indoors with all the food they want instead of their former life outside. They never complain about anything.

Third Month (January, 2007)
Rosie and Mo survived New Year's, barely. There are fireworks in the park near my house and the noise is deafening. Both cats hid in the back of the closet and then were reluctant to come out. They were stacked on top of each other with one's head underneath or on top of the other one's behind. It was kind of cute but I felt so bad for them.

A friend came over this morning and used the bathroom while she was here. One of the cats was already in there and she told me she was able to touch it, but I don’t know which one.

When I sit down on the couch, they both come up to me and I pet them with no problem. Mo is OK being touched, but never comes too close. Rosie is all over me. Some days I do feel like a jungle gym. When they've had enough petting, they leave or start ducking my hand. They always hope they will get treats, but sometimes the affection is treat enough. They have no issues with my moving around or near them in the apartment. If I look like I might touch them, then they'll run off, although I never actually touch them unless they come to me first. They seem happy in their new home and I am very happy with them.

Since both cats are comfortable being petted while I am sitting on the couch, I've decided to up the ante. I am trying to entice them into the bedroom which they won't come into while I'm in there. I lie on the bed with a jar of baby food on my stomach. They come running and dive right in but flinch when I first touch them. It's funny the difference a room makes. They behave like they did when we first started the baby food and touching on the couch. In time, they will get used to it and I will probably regret the uninterrupted sleep I have at night. I have also started to lean over and touch Rosie when she is weaving between and rubbing against my legs. Some-times she moves away and sometimes she is OK with it. Again, in time she'll be fine with it.

Overall, the cats (they are way too big to be called kittens anymore) are incredibly cute and sweet. Last night I took a bath and they just sat next to the tub and stared at me. A little discon-certing perhaps, but their fear of my physical presence is non-existent. Physical contact is a dif-ferent matter, although they really both enjoy being petted and scratched around the head and neck. It will be a while before picking them up will be an option, but some day, maybe.

We are making great strides. Both cats come to me to be petted on a regular basis, whether I have food for them or not. Sometimes I need to use both hands because if I am only petting one of them, the other one gets jealous. I bought a brush and have started brushing them which they like although they were a little wary at first. I have been continuing to feed them on the bed in the bedroom to get them more accustomed to me in that environment. They now come running into the bedroom when I get in bed, although they won't get up on the bed unless I actually have food for them. I have been able to pick Rosie up without her completely freaking out. I bend over and try to touch both cats more to get them used to it and they are sometimes fine with it and some-times scurry off. Mo is still the more skittish and will take off if I make eye contact with him and then lean in his direction. It cracks me up that he is so much bigger than Rosie and such a scaredy-cat. They still spend most of their time together and curl up together like kittens. Rosie prefers a spot under the chair by the door and Mo prefers sleeping at the foot of the bed (when I'm not in the bedroom) or under the chair by the window. Neither has expressed any in-terest in going out the front door of my apartment and any activity or noise in the hallway outside my apartment door sends them into hiding. Some day they may greet visitors at the door.

I've been trying to pick up the cats more. Rosie is OK with it. Mo wants no part of it. Since Mo is so big, it's difficult for me to even get my hands around him to lift him, and as soon as I begin to touch him, he wriggles away and runs off. I'm feeding them baby food regularly in the bedroom so they now jump up on the bed while I'm there but if I don't have food, they disappear quickly. They have no fear of me at all walking around them or being near them. I can reach out to touch them but they always look worried until I start scratching their heads or petting them, at which point they relax. Over time, their anxiety level should diminish. They are cute as buttons and still behave like kittens even though they are full grown.

Fourth Month (February, 2007)

Rosie and Mo are staying warm and cozy in my apartment.  This past week was a little rough for them.  Last Thursday I had 5 friends over for dinner.  Rosie and Mo both hid in the back of the bedroom closet, as I suspected they would.  In an odd twist, Mo came out and sat under the chair in the living room for all to see and watched the proceedings with interest and alarm.  Rosie, who is usually the more outgoing of the two cats, at one point ran out into the living room, saw the crowd and, with a look of panic, ran right back into the closet and didn't come out until long after everyone left.  On Saturday night, my mother spent the night.  Neither cat made an appearance, even when offered a fresh jar of baby food.  My mother slept in the bed and I slept on the couch and, other than trips to the litter box, both cats remained in hiding.  Once again, Mo proved the bolder of the two by staying under the chair in the living room while Rosie hid in the closet or behind the toilet. 

Once all my guests left, it took a while for the cats to return to their normal selves.  Once they deemed their surroundings "safe" they were tearing around as usual.  They both come to me to be petted, whether food is offered or not.  They really like to be scratched around the head and ears.  I can brush both of them without incident.  I can pick Rosie up with no problem, although I have yet to successfully pick up Mo.  Frankly, he's so big, I'd have trouble lifting him. 

Mo loves to curl up and sleep on the bed (as long as I'm not in the bedroom), although Rosie never does.  Rosie loves to curl up and sleep on the couch, although Mo does not.  They are both creatures of habit.  They have their play periods in which they run around the apartment wrestling and chasing each other early in the morning (between 6:30 and 7:30), in the evening (6:00 to 7:00ish), and around my bedtime (between 11:00 PM and midnight).  They tend to sleep most of the day although my downstairs neighbor says he can hear them running around during the day, so they may have an additional play period during daylight hours.  I've noticed that Rosie will play by herself while her brother sleeps soundly.  She is much more playful and active than Mo, and sometimes wants me to play with her when her lazy brother won't get off his butt. 

All in all, they are the sweetest things.

Rosie & Mo have settled into a regular schedule.  They are no longer nocturnal and sleep through the night, and most of the day as well.  When I am still asleep, around 7:00 in the morning, the two cats play and chase each other around the house, but stay out of the bedroom.  I always leave the bedroom door open so they can come and go, but they just don't like to come into the bedroom while I'm sleeping.  A typical day starts with my getting up and leaving the bedroom, at which point both cats go into the bedroom to play and hang out.  Mo has a spot at the end of the bed where he always curls up and Rosie likes to look out the window.  They also wrestle and jump up on top of the dresser to rearrange things, and play with the window blind cords.  When I fix and eat my breakfast, they come looking for food.  They always have cat chow in their food bowl, but they are always hopeful they will get something better.  They run and play some more and eventually settle down for a long day's nap.  When I leave for the day, they are usually asleep.  When I come home at night, they are also sound asleep.  My arrival excites them and they start to run around the house and play.  When I fix something to eat, they are very attentive.  We usually have a petting or brushing session, either with or without food as an incentive.  Since they both enjoy being petted and brushed, it is often reward in itself.  It tickles me that they get jealous of each other and push each other out of the way for physical affection because when I first got them they didn't want to be touched at all.  Rosie purrs and Mo wheezes - it sounds like he's snoring, to show their appreciation.  I can pick up Rosie pretty much any time and carry her around the house like a handbag, but I still haven't been able to lift and carry Mo.  I have a bath every night before bed and both cats love to sit and play in the tub after it drains.  Rosie still comes to me to play with her when her lazy brother isn't in the mood to do so.  The cats usually have one last tear around the house when I go to bed.  Then they sleep through the night until their 7:00 AM play session.

Such is life with Rosie & Mo these days.  We did have an exciting day when a fly mysteriously appeared in the apartment.  Both cats went into hunting mode.  The fly had the good sense to hover near the ceiling, so the cats tried climbing the lamps, computer, furniture, and walls to get to it.  The fly kept them occupied for hours.  I don't know what happened because I had to leave the house and when I returned, the fly was nowhere to be found. 

Both Rosie & Mo are huge and probably full grown at this point.  I am slowly introducing cat chow in with their kitten chow.  I got a slip cover for my couch to keep the cats from tearing it apart which has been effective.  However, they continue to chew and claw my Oriental carpets and my grandmother's silk scarf and a silk bathrobe; a price I'm happy to pay for such wonderful companions.

Well we've come full circle.  I sit down with a bowl of baby food in my lap and the cats come running for petting and scratching and don't eat the food.  The affection has become the activity of choice, not eating.  The cats are full grown (I hope!) and are acting like teenagers.  They enjoy playing and running around the house and, being bigger, cover a lot of territory.  Like human teens, their interests have diversified.  Rosie often wants to do things that Mo doesn't.  Mo's preference is always to sleep as much as possible and not have to get up.  Just like an adolescent sister and brother who may have been playmates as children, they look to other people to play with now that they are older.  Mo comes to me for scratching and petting and loves to be brushed.  Rosie comes to me for food and treats and likes to be picked up and carried around the house.  She also likes to play and cuddle with me when her brother is not in the mood.  They are still inseparable most of the time and if one eats, uses the litter box, or finds something to play with, the other one is not far behind. 

Fifth Month (March, 2007)
We continue to make progress.  The cats join me on the bed at night just before bedtime for petting, brushing, and scratching.  However, they don't stay after I turn out the light.  Rosie is also now in the habit of jumping up on the bed in the morning.  She doesn't bother me, just sits or curls up quietly, hoping I'll get up and give her better food than what's in the dish.  Both cats come to me often, provided I'm sitting still, for petting and scratching.  They both really love to be brushed. 

I'm still amazed that neither makes any noise.  They both purr, of course, but no mews, meows, howls, or other sounds.  When they get excited, like when chasing a fly, they will make a little gurgling noise.  Rosie also will sometimes let out a tiny squeak when they are playing, usually when her brother has his jaws around her neck.  As I've said before, I know at least Rosie is capable of meowing and wailing because she did plenty of it before Mo came to live with us.

I'm also amazed at their gentleness.  When they grab each other, or me, with their teeth or paws, it is always very delicately.  Perhaps because they play only with each other, their intent is never to hurt or harm.  They wrestle with and bite each other, but never with the severity I've seen other cats, even from the same litter, play.  They do grab toys with their claws and teeth and shred them, so they are capable, they just don't have violent natures, unlike some other kitties I have known.  If they had to defend themselves or were presented with another cat, they might do some damage, but that scenario is not going to happen. 

Now that we've conquered their fear of the bed, I guess the next step is to get them less afraid of strangers.

Rosie & Mo continue to delight.  They knocked my wristwatch off the top of the dresser several times this morning and batted it about the floor before I discovered what they were up to.  I have found a new place to put my watch where they can't reach it.  They are expert in ignoring their toys and playing with things like push pins, pens, upholstery, and rugs instead.  Although I've never seen them do it, they take stuffed animals from the bedroom and drag them around the house to play with.  This morning I woke up to find both cats curled up on my bed which was a first.

My mother visited last weekend and both cats ran to their "invader/visitor" positions:  Mo under a chair in the living room and Rosie in the back of the bedroom closet.   At one point, while my mother was in the living room watching TV and I was in the bedroom, both cats joined me for a petting session on the bed.  Frankly, I think they forgot my mother was in the apartment.  As soon as my mother said something, both cats ran off and hid.  A new development was that after my mother left, the cats came out fairly soon afterwards instead of staying in hiding for several hours. 

Rosie sits next to me a lot and wants to be petted frequently.  Mo is more standoffish, curling up on the bed or on a chair to take long naps.  However, when he's in the mood, he'll come to me to be petted and brushed which he really enjoys.  Rosie cracks me up because when I give her cat treats, instead of eating them, she bats them around the floor.  Rosie is always soliciting food and affection, but Mo never comes to me for treats, preferring for his sister to do all the work while he shares in the benefits. 

A pigeon perched on the ledge outside the window one day to the endless fascination of Mo.  Rosie was too busy playing in the bathtub to notice.  She stares at the drain for long periods of time, perhaps hearing the distant gurgling of water or hoping something will crawl out.  Despite their different interests, they almost always eat, use the litter box, and play at the same time.  They are very attuned to each other.  It will be interesting to see what happens when Spring is here and there are a lot more birds and squirrels to watch from the windows, which will be open (with screens) so the cats can smell and hear as well as see what is outside.

I was away last weekend and when I returned, Rosie & Mo, after hiding briefly just to make sure it was me and not a stranger coming into the house, gave me a warm reception.  They were eager to be petted and brushed and seemed to have actually missed me.  I've been sick in bed this week and the cats have been keeping me company.  They sit and lie on the bed with me and even bouts of coughing don't scare them off.  They have both become little cuddle bugs.  I'm still surprised at their structured schedule, especially since my life has little or no structure.  They are up at dawn racing around the house while I sleep.  They then sit on the bed with me or stare at me from a safe distance until I get up.  They then take over the bedroom.  They love to look out the window, especially now that there are so many birds and squirrels to watch.  They jump up on the dresser and knock my things on the floor or just steal them outright to play with elsewhere.  They seem perturbed if I don't make the bed right away - I don't know if it offends their sense of tidiness or if order relieves some of their anxieties.  They then both take naps on the bed but at opposite ends.  When I fix my morning hot chocolate, Rosie always comes into the kitchen to rub against my legs, hoping for better food choices, a treat, or just some loving.  Mo couldn't care less and continues his nap on the bed (assuming its made to his comfort and specifications). 

The day then proceeds alternating between naps and play activity.  Mo sleeps way more than Rosie.  As the huntress, she is always playing with toys, wrestling with area rugs or toys, and running around while Mo sleeps.  He joins her for a few fevered periods of activity each day and night.  They always find something annoying to do.  Their latest is knocking the push pins out of my bulletin board and batting them around the house and leaving them in strategic places where I can step on them.  They've also ripped open the upholstery on my chairs to pull out all the stuffing.  I cover up the holes, but they either uncover them or create new ones.  I knew the new slipcover on the couch, which keeps them from ripping the stuffing out of the couch, would lead to new fun and games for them. 

Whether they've been napping or playing most of the evening, when I start getting ready for bed, they get very excited.  Rosie can barely contain herself while I brush my teeth.  They both jump up on the bed and want to be petted and brushed.  Since they have to race around the house when I turn out the light, they don't stay.  I don't know if the obligatory bedtime playtime is because they finally have the house to themselves because I've retired for the night, or they're just crazy.   When I take a bath or shower, Rosie has gotten into the habit of sitting or standing on the edge of the bathtub between the shower curtain and the clear plastic liner.  This way she can watch the water splashing around without actually getting wet.  I'm amazed she never falls in.  Needless to say, while she's doing this, Mo is sleeping.

Sixth Month (April, 2007)
There hasn't been anything particularly new and exciting to report.  Rosie & Mo continue to love being touched, petted, and brushed as long as they initiate the contact.  However, they initiate contact a lot.  I have all the windows open now that the weather is warmer and they are adjusting to that.  Sounds from outside like dogs barking, construction noise, slamming doors, and shrieking children are now a part of our lives.  There are also lots of birds and squirrels to observe which they seem to enjoy.  I'm convinced they are still getting bigger.  I continue to be amazed that they (1) never jump up on the kitchen counters, (2) never make any verbal sounds, and (3) have no curiosity about anything outside my apartment and express no interest in going out the front door into the public hallway.  My immediate short-term goals are to pick up Mo and get them used to strangers.  I'm getting close on the first but nowhere on the second.  They still go into alarm mode when they hear any neighbors in the hallway. 

They are very happy in their limited real estate and never complain about anything.  They would prefer more wet food in their diet and occasionally go on food strikes when I've given them only dry food for too long.  They are so cute and cuddly, and we are all getting along extremely well.

Mo is getting comfortable with my hands underneath his stomach and lifting him up.  As long as he is being brushed or petted he will put up with anything.  I have yet to try to pick him up and carry him across the room, but lifting him onto my lap or up a little bit off the bed or couch doesn't seem to freak him out too much.  He is very affectionate and likes to climb up close to my face and head when he's being touched.  Rosie likes to lie next to me and get stroked and tickled but is not as fond of brushing.  She visits me in the morning when I'm still in bed when Mo is nowhere to be found.  Both cats are happy on the bed and I am able to join them.  However, when I get under the covers at night, they take off.  I don't think they understand that I am the bump in the bed and not a big scary monster.  They prefer to sleep in the living room when I am in bed, but they love to be on the bed during the day to look out the window and nap. 

Rosie is always the hungry one and obsessed with food.  I cannot go into the kitchen without her following me, rubbing against my legs, and looking eagerly for treats or more food.  Mo never bothers me for food and when treats are offered or new food put down, he often takes a pass while his sister dives in.  Mo is obsessed with being brushed.  He jumps up on the bed every time I go in the bedroom hoping he'll get brushed.  I don't know why he equates brushing with the bed as I often brush and pet him on the couch as well.  As I've said before, they are creatures of habit. 

Seventh Month (May, 2007)

We have experienced a breakthrough.  I was able to pick up Mo and carry him from the bedroom into the living room with no problem.  He didn't squirm or panic at all.  Since then I have continued to lift him up without complaint.  Both cats have become incredibly cuddly.  They seek out and enjoy being held, touched, and brushed. 

I've had Rosie & Mo for 6 months now and we had our very first vomiting incident.  Mo threw up a log of food on the bed.  Poor thing didn't have a clue what had happened or what it was.  He looked both astonished and terrified.  He didn't know whether to attack it or run away.  Needless, to say, Rosie came running over to take a look at this frightening object as well.  I got a paper towel and picked it up, and then wiped the spot with a wet sponge.  Mo spent the rest of the day trying to "clean up" the spot by raking his claws over and around it like cats do after they've made a deposit in the litter box.   He seemed horrified and embarrassed by what he'd done, even though I kept telling him it was perfectly natural and OK. 

Rosie & Mo are forever in search of new and annoying things to do around the house.  Their latest is to take a flying leap at my hanging spider plant, grab the low lying clumps of leaves, and break them off.  Once on the floor, the cats enjoy playing with the clump like it's a real spider - alternately batting it around, pouncing on it, and fleeing in terror, until I realize what they've done and take it away from them.  (Note to self - no more hanging plants with tendrils that descend downward.)  I am going to have to order chair covers to protect what is left of the upholstery on my two chairs.  The cats live to shred the fabric and then remove the soft batting with which it is stuffed.  The Oriental rugs are also taking a beating from scratching and chewing.  My silk robe hanging on a hook in the bedroom is full of cat-clawed holes.  It is but a small price to pay for such wonderful companions.  I'd rather they took their aggressions out on my possessions than on me.  I've never had cats that were so gentle in their human encounters.

I am trying to get in touch with the woman who adopted Rosie & Mo's brother, who she named Delano, the other cat from their same litter.  He was much bigger than both Rosie & Mo at the time of their adoption and I wanted to find out how big he is now as Rosie & Mo are enormous and seem to still be growing.  I'd love to exchange photos with her and see what Delano looks like as compared to my cuties.

Rosie & Mo are enjoying the summer.  The windows are always open so they sit and watch the birds and squirrels throughout the day when they are not napping.  At night they sit and watch the bugs that are attracted to the light and bat at the screens.  When an insect gets inside, they go into stalking and hunting mode with Rosie on point.  Mo loses interest after awhile, but Rosie is relentless. 

Instead of sleeping curled up or with their legs tucked under their bodies, they lie on their sides to keep cool.  They stretch out in the best places to catch a cross breeze.  Since they are shedding like crazy, I brush them daily. 

They continue to chase each other around the house with abandon.  They follow me around and want to be brushed and petted.  I can pick Mo up regularly now and he remains completely relaxed.  They both will get up on the bed with me, but usually not for very long.  They prefer to sleep in the living room at night.  During the day they will sleep anywhere. 

When I first got them, I could hardly tell them apart, probably because they were always partly hidden.  Now, Mo is much bigger, has stripes where Rosie has spots, and has coarser fur.  They still cling together a lot of the time.

I had a friend come over one evening this week and they both went into hiding.  I found Rosie in the back of the bedroom closet while Mo was sound asleep on the bed.  Mo has less fear of strangers although Rosie is much more outgoing in general.  Go figure.  In time, they may become accustomed to visitors, but not yet.

If I leave the front door of my apartment open (to get more ventilation), they will take a few steps into the hallway but with extreme caution.  Any time the front door opens, they go into alert mode.  Again, with time, this may change.

Overall, they are as delightful as ever.  So sweet, so gentle, and so adorable.

Eighth Month (June, 2007)

Rosie and Mo have been such a delight.  They sit on the windowsill next to each other and chirp at the birds.  The sound is most unusual and I don't believe I've heard such a noise coming out of a feline before.  They spread out on the floors to get the best cross breeze to stay cool and I have to be careful not to step on them.  They've managed to lose every toy I've ever given them, but the three pipe cleaners (two red and one yellow) which Jennifer Dunning brought with Mo when she dropped him off at my apartment have never disappeared and they still play with them.  They just adore wet food and will wait as long as possible to see if I will give them more before eating the dry food I leave out for them.  They are filled out but not fat.  I can't get over how huge Mo has turned out to be.  The scrawny little things that I adopted last November are nowhere to be seen in the big, strapping, healthy cats I have now.  Their personalities have also expanded as they have both become lap cats who love to be held, petted and brushed.  I have a couple of friends coming to stay with me this week for a couple of nights, so we'll see if there is any change in their reaction to strangers.  I was afraid the heat would get to them living in an unairconditioned apartment, but they don't seem to be at all uncomfortable.  They still curl up with each other and love to sleep on a knitted blanket and my down comforter so they obviously aren't suffering.  They have been getting up on the bed with me more at night so they are getting over their fear of the scary monster under the covers (me).  All continues to progress well.

My houseguests moved in and both Rosie & Mo made themselves scarce.  Rosie heads for the back of the bedroom closet and Mo sits under the living room chairs.  It was so hot in my apartment, I don't know how Rosie could stand it.  My friends and I went out for a couple of hours and neither cat came out to eat, drink or use the litter box while we were gone.  However, when we went out a second time, the cats had obviously eaten and used the litter box.  Once my friends went to bed (I gave them my bed and I slept on the couch), both cats came out for petting, food, and to chase each other around the living room.  This was the pattern for the two days and nights I had overnight guests.  Mo did let one of my friends pet him under my supervision, but he wasn't very happy about it. 

Lately, I've left the front door open when I'm home to get some ventilation because I have no air conditioning in my apartment.  The cats go out on the landing and Mo even went down one flight of stairs, but at the first sound of neighbors in the hallway downstairs, they come running back.  They lie by the front door of my apartment calmly and without concern, enjoying the breeze, until they hear something which frightens them.  They also continue to patrol the windowsills on the lookout for birds and insects.

I've made two trips in the past week where I've left the cats for 2 or 3 nights.  When I return they are very happy to see me.  They don't act out or behave badly, however, they do make quite a mess.  They move all the area rugs to one end of the apartment and push throw pillows on the floor.  This probably just happens when they are chasing each other.  However, they have put two holes in my bathroom wall which may not be accidental.  Whether they are trying to get to critters in the walls or just enjoy sharpening their claws in the plasterboard and tile grout, I'm not sure.  Fortunately, neither hole is big enough for them to crawl into....yet. 

They enjoy their "quality time" with me when I am home and guest-free.  They couldn't be more cuddly.

Nineth Month (July, 2007)

I bought a can of cat repellent from my local pet store as the holes in the bathroom walls were getting bigger and Rosie & Mo started scratching up the cardboard sleeves of my vinyl record collection as well.  No great harm done, but I have to spray daily.  If I skip a couple of days, they are right back at it.  One day I found a chunk of plaster on the bathroom floor and I still have not figured out where it came from.  The cats obviously broke it off or loose from something.  They are quite clever.

I’ve been away on and off for 2 or 3 nights at a time throughout this month without incident.  Both Rosie & Mo are very glad to see me when I return.  They clamor for affection (and food) but they do that when I’m home all the time, too.  They couldn’t be sweeter.  I usually have quality time with them separately, but if they both want attention at the same time, they can get a little jealous.  One will push the other out of the way or just try to get closer to me.  I have two hands so I can pet both of them at the same time.  If I am brushing them, it gets a little trickier as I only have one brush.  Most cats I’ve known like to be petted for a couple of minutes and when they’ve had enough, they let you know by either moving away or pushing your hand away.  Rosie and Mo seem to have no saturation point and can be petted or brushed forever.  The surprising thing is that when they do move away, they both have the same exit strategy.  They turn on their sides and, as I pet them, they slowly stretch their front legs out until they start to slip off the couch or bed, and slide onto the floor head first with their front legs outstretched.  Sort of like a snake, they slither away.  I don’t know where they came up with this, but it cracks me up that they both do it. 

I keep the front door to my apartment open on hot days when I’m home, and Rosie & Mo have become completely accustomed to it.  Surprisingly, they never venture out onto the landing any more.  So much for a cat’s innate curiosity.  They just go about their business as if the door were closed.  Of course, open or closed, if there is any sound in the hallway, they start looking for cover.  The only other things that seem to stress them are the usual:  the vacuum cleaner and thunder.  They don’t seem bothered by the heat - lying on their backs with their feet in the air seems to be sufficient to keep them cool.

Being cats, they still do the profoundly stupid thing from time to time.  One of my favorites is Rosie standing underneath the hanging planter after I watered the plant and it started dripping.  A drop of water would fall to the floor and she would lean over it to take a better look, and the next drop would land square on her head.  She’d shake her head with surprise and then the process would be repeated over and over again. 

It still amazes me that Mo, who was so standoffish when I first got him, is so affectionate now.  Rosie was always more outgoing, but doesn’t seem as needy as her brother.  They get sweeter and cuddlier every day.

Next month’s adventure is having a friend come in to my apartment to feed them and give them fresh water and scoop the cat litter while I’m out of town for a week.  Look forward to that report in the next Rosie & Mo diary entry. 

Tenth Month (August, 2007)

Rosie & Mo spend more time on the bed with me.  They will jump up when I’m sleeping and curl up at the foot or side of the bed, but they never get too close.  It may be that in the summer months, the scary monster that is me under the covers isn’t so scary because there are less covers. 

The chunk of plaster that mysteriously appeared in the bathroom one day, just as mysteriously disappeared.  The cats may have pushed it through one of the holes in the walls they continue to enlarge, but you never know, I may find it under the couch in a few months’ time. 

I took my week-long vacation and left the cats home alone with a friend coming in every couple of days to feed them, change the water, and scoop the litter box.  When I returned, they were very happy to see me.  The only unusual thing they did was unroll the entire roll of toilet paper in the bathroom.  I was met with a mound of tissue in the middle of the bathroom floor which has never happened before.  Other than that they didn't really act out at all.  Every day I come home they’ve rearranged the area rugs, knocked things on the floor, and scratched places I would prefer they didn’t.  However, they sometimes will do something completely new and unexpected.  They certainly keep me on my toes.

Rosie & Mo still love to be petted and brushed indefinitely.  Their craving for affection is a wonderful thing considering how they wouldn’t even come near me when I first got them.  Their craving for food remains unchanged and they would eat 20 cans of food a day if I’d let them.  Mo still has a sniffly-sounding purr which makes it sound likes he’s congested.  I can always tell when he’s happy because I can hear him breathing. 

When the weather got cooler, Rosie & Mo became a lot more active – chasing each other around the house and playing.  Prior to that I thought they were slowing down because they are over a year old now, but I guess I can expect increased physical activity as Fall approaches.  I still can’t get over how big they both turned out to be.  Mo is still much larger than Rosie, and has much coarser fur.  I still haven’t been able to get in touch with the woman who adopted their brother who was much bigger.  I’d love to share photos and find out how big he is now. 

September  (11th Month)

Rosie and Mo are more active now that the weather is getting cooler.  On hot days, I still open the front door to try to get some ventilation and am surprised that they never venture out into the hallway, nor do they seem to be concerned that their safe haven has been compromised.  They go about their business until there is a noise in the hallway and then go into alert mode until the noise stops. 

They both must be full grown by now, but some days I swear they look bigger.  They have excellent appetites and will eat any brand or flavor of cat food (wet or dry) that I put in their dish.  They are not at all finicky. 

Like all animals (and people) they get bored with a new toy after awhile and the toy lies on the floor untouched.  Then, one day, the toy will be the favorite again, for no apparent reason.  The 3 pipe cleaners that arrived with Mo continue to amaze and amuse both cats.  I have taken to twisting feathers from other destroyed toys onto them which makes them fascinating again.  The pipe cleaners are the only toys that both cats like to bring up on the bed to play with while I am sleeping.  Again, I cannot begin to understand what goes through the mind of a cat.

The cats get up on the bed around my bedtime for petting and brushing, especially Mo.  When I brush my teeth they go into an excited state, much as they do when I open a can of cat food.  Rosie’s modus operandi is to lie next to me on the couch which is her preferred place to be petted.  They will also rub up against me when I am standing in the kitchen, typing on the computer, or just walking around, just to remind me how adorable and need of affection they are.  They sleep on the bed with me at night but come and go as they please so neither, one, or both can be found on the bed at any given time.  Oddly, when I turn out the light to go to sleep, both cats jump off the bed to go chase each other around the house and play.  This is a holdover from their youth, although I’m happy to say that their early morning roughhouse session no longer occurs as they prefer to sleep in.  However, if they think I am not getting up fast enough, Mo will jump up on the bed and walk around, and sometimes on, me.  Rosie, jumps up on the bed, looks at me, and then jumps off again….repeatedly.  Can’t quite figure her out.

I was able to go see Rosie and Mo’s brother, Delano (aptly named as they all three come from Roosevelt Island).  He was adopted by a woman who already had a cat and all three are getting along famously.  I went to her apartment for a visit.  Since Delano, like Rosie & Mo, disappears at the first sign of a stranger, I didn’t get to see much of him.  He was under a chair and then ran under the bed.  When I looked under the bed with a flashlight, he ran through the apartment to a closet door which was closed and he picked at it with his claws until he got it open and ran inside.  He was so well hidden in the back of the closet, all I could see was a piece of paw.  On his dash to the closet, though, I did get a good look at him.  As I suspected, he is huge!  He is also the most feral looking cat I’ve ever seen and looks like a cross between a lynx and an ocelot.  He also looks like Rosie & Mo as all three have the same markings.  Delano’s owner and I exchanged photographs and Delano’s kitten pictures are indistinguishable from Rosie’s – they both have the same sweet face.  In size and build, however, he is much more like Mo.  In talking to Delano’s owner, it became clear that Delano may be a fierce looking cat, but he is a marshmallow in personality, just like Rosie & Mo.  Chances are that if the 3 cats had been returned to the streets as kittens, and not adopted, they wouldn’t be tame at all. 

So I’m glad I and like-minded individuals took these beloved cats in in their time of need and provided them with good homes.  The felines are certainly appreciative but, as we all know, they give so much more to us than we ever give to them.

October (12th Month)

Well it’s been almost year and I couldn’t be happier with my Rosie & Mo.  Yes, they’ve destroyed parts of my apartment and possessions, but they are the sweetest, dearest, cutest creatures.  The two run around a lot more in the cooler weather and seem forever hungry.  The front door is never left open any more but they neither notice nor care.  They are also sleeping with me more.  One usually takes the foot of the bed and one takes a spot by the window.  They don’t get too close to me, though.  Whether that is so I won’t roll over or stretch out and hit them or they still have feral instincts about humans getting too close, I don’t know. 

I still can’t get over how big Mo is compared to the tiny critter he was a year ago.  Yet, he still runs and hides as soon as there is any noise in the hallway, as does his sister.  Due to a leak in my downstairs neighbors’ apartment, plumbers came to fix something in my bathroom.  A neighbor let the plumbers in while I was at work and when I got home the cats were pretty upset.  They seemed relieved to see me, however, they were extremely skittish for a couple of hours.  Every move I made sent them into emergency mode.  Once they settled down, they were their same old selves.

Both cats really love and, occasionally demand, affection.  Whether it’s petting or brushing, they enjoy it and can’t seem to get enough.  Rosie prefers to be petted on the couch and plops herself next to me for petting as soon as I sit down.  Mo jumps up on the bed when I enter the bedroom and expects to be brushed.  Once I begin, they don’t want me to stop.  They also expect and demand to be fed.  Although I leave dry food in their dish all the time, they clamor for better and go crazy when it’s wet food feeding time.  They both dive into the bowl of wet cat food as soon as I put it down.  They jostle for position but always share without incident.  They leave a little in the dish just so they have something to come back to later.  It’s not clear which one eats more but they both eat plenty.

November (13th Month)

The woman who took in Rosie & Mo’s brother, Delano, called me on the anniversary of our adopting them.  She and I want to get together again and compare notes and photos.

The plumbers came to replace my shower body and left a 13x26 hole in the shower wall.  The plumbers taped up plastic but my fear was that the cats would peel it off and disappear into the wall, never to be seen again.  I placed as many plastic bottles (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.) on the areas of the tub from where they could reach the wall in the hopes that as they reached up, they would knock bottles onto the floor or into the tub which would scare them off.  I don’t know if it worked as no bottles were knocked down.  However, the tape did come unstuck from the wall but I’ll never know if that was with help from the cats or simply from gravity.  The tiler came a week later to patch up the hole without incident.  Needless to say, the cats went into hiding when the workmen arrived and didn’t come out again until after they left. 

My 9-year-old niece and 6-year-old nephew came to stay with me for a weekend.  Rosie took her spot in the back of the bedroom closet and Mo went under the chair in the living room.  Once the children were in bed, both cats would come out to take care of business (eating, drinking, litter box) and run around and play.  In bolder moments, Mo would crawl out but as soon as there was any sound from a child, he would dash back to his safe spot.  I was surprised that when the kids were asleep in bed (I slept on the couch), both cats had no problem getting up on the bed with them.  But, at the first sign of any movement or cough, the cats bolted.  The kids and I came back from the park one morning to find Mo hiding behind the toilet.  Since he is rather exposed in that spot, I took the opportunity to have each child slowly approach him and pet him while I was petting him.  Although he was clearly scared, he tolerated it and even enjoyed it a little.  When the kids were watching television in the living room, I went into the bedroom and was surprised to see Mo lying on the bed.  He didn’t seem nervous at all, even though he was out in the open and not in hiding.  I called the kids to come quietly into the bedroom and pet him, and he was OK with it.  If I had any houseguests stay with me more than a couple of nights, I believe the cats would become accustomed to other people, although Mo seems more willing than Rosie to give strangers the benefit of the doubt. 

Rosie & Mo continue to become more snuggly and affectionate.  This may be due to the colder weather.  They both sleep on the bed with me now – Mo at my side and Rosie at the foot of the bed by the wall (a heat riser is there so I know why she likes it).  Any time I sit down on the couch, I can count on one or two bodies joining me.  It’s a good thing I have two hands when they both want attention at the same time.  When I get up in the morning and come home from work at night, I can expect one or both cats weaving between my legs and rubbing against my shins since they consider those feeding times.  They are quite the tripping hazard.

On my first anniversary of taking in Rosie & Mo, I couldn’t be more delighted with them.

.