1/31/12:

Jaguar, renamed Rufus, is a wonderful, wonderful cat who has fit into our family beautifully. I only have a few photos of him (taken for the microchip profile) but when I get a good one with his 4 YO brother, Tommy, I will pass it on.

It took Rufus and Tommy about three days to decide they could peacefully co-exist in the same room (and there was never any posturing or even more than an occasional minor hiss), and now they share the entire house, food, sofas, and have fun chasing each other around and scouting out the occasional vole in the farmhouse (Rufus is destined to be a Champion Hunter; he bagged his first last week).

Rufus is exceptionally loving. He rubs noses with me all the time and he will sit and snuggle on our laps for hours every day. He's just an absolute sweetheart and I do see much of his predecessor, Buster, in him. He is still confined to the house but in the next week or two, will gradually be introduced to the great outdoors (with mom in attendance).

By the way, my husband had cataract surgery in Seattle this week (where we have a small home) and so I brought in Rufus to make life easier for the cat sitter at our farm so she wouldn't have to stress about keeping Rufus inside. Rufus is the best cat traveler I've ever had. Interestingly, he doesn't mind going into his carrier cage, either. He had his follow up vacs last week and my wonderful vet and technicians all oohed and aahed over His Cuteness. We feel very lucky to have Rufus in our lives. Thank you for letting him become part of our family. I will send photos soon!