Neville the Wondercat

I’ve decided Neville needs a career – he’s going to be a kitty therapist. For other kitties. Seriously.

I think he has some kind of calming effect on other cats (in addition to people!). I’m working from home today and left the bedroom door open so that new foster kidden Casey could come out, if he chose to. He’s been out playing with Wink all morning.

But, more than that, he’s been following Neville, who, as he has been with Wink, hasn’t hissed, spit, swatted or growled at him one time. Frankly, for a cat, that’s amazing. Neville will play with the kittens, but is certainly not bothered by them wanting to be close to him. Right now he’s sitting on my lap – he still prefers his hooman after all.

Casey hasn’t yet gotten in my lap on his own, but he’s come very close – up to the side of the chair, and on the arm of the chair, when Neville got in my lap. Must be nap time, though, as all the animals are asleep right now.

Just last night, Casey was still hissing, though he’s already warming up. He doesn’t seem bothered by the dogs in the least, either. He’s certainly not scared of them. And my dear dear sweet Penny has been SUCH a good girl. She seems to have adjusted quite well to having more kitties around.

Being comfortable around dogs will definitely increase the adoption potential for both kittens. Though they haven’t really met the “big nose dog” yet (a.k.a. my “nephew” Gabriel!). Might be a bit of a different reaction, especially for Casey.

I can’t help but think, though, that they are learning a lot from seeing how laid back Neville is. It’s known that cats (and dogs) secrete a pheromone when they are stressed – very obvious when I took Wink into Casey’s “room” for the first time. She hissed and tensed up immediately. But, with Neville, there’s only good vibes… I think he has a definite calming effect on them.  Very cool.