Karl and I have been working on Laura and Matt to get a cat, so Karl would have a living buddy to sleep on his bed. It was pretty easy convincing Laura, but Matt was tough. We really had to work on him, but even I was surprised at how quickly he caved. That's because we found a very nice cat! I had been keeping an eye on the available cats at the local shelters, because I knew what I wanted: a cuddly adult cat that was easy-going and would adapt well to our living situation (read: two kids and a dog). When "Peanut's" profile was put online last weekend, I knew she might work, so after guitar lessons on Monday Karl and I covertly visited her on her way home (and when I say covertly, I mean until I had to call Matt to help me with the directions because we drove around for a half hour looking for this place until I gave up and knew I had to call him…). Peanut was very friendly right from the start, and purred the whole time we visited, rubbing her face against us and snuggling up. So sweet! We could've taken her home that night, but I said I had to talk to my husband first, and at least give him time to find an apartment or something. When we came home, though, Matt and Laura were standing there expectantly, because they were sure we would have a cat with us. Come on, give me a little credit! I waited until the next day and THEN picked her up (I did ask Matt first, asking him if he would still love me if I got her, but I didn't wait for an answer). Karl and I decided that Peanut did not look like a Peanut at all, and that "Pippa" would be much more appropriate.
We set up a bed for her on Karl's bed, and sure enough, it's become her home base. Although she got up several times in the night (mostly to eat and use her litter box-- good girl!), she always came back to sleep with Karl. They are buddies now.
Pippa lived with both a big and little dog, so I figured she would be ok with Penelope. They're still working things out. Right now Pippa is very wary of Penelope, and Penelope is learning that she's not allowed to look at the cat (greyhounds "track" their prey, so you have to teach them to let the cat approach them instead of the other way around). I don't think it'll take long, although we kept Penelope's muzzle on yesterday, and Pippa gave Penelope a good swipe at one point. It's only the second day, and things are already much better. The other thing we have to work on: counter surfing. Apparently Pippa's former owners were quite lax with their rules, because we've already gotten a fair amount of use out of our water bottle. Pippa was surrendered because her owners are getting a divorce, so I guess they had other things on their minds other than teaching their cats manners.
So, to sum up, I have a husband, a girl, a boy, a dog, and a cat. How perfect is that? And they're all sweet, most of the time. Pippa is such a cuddle bug that she's even starting to win over Matt. Give it time. It'll come.
