4/25/13:

I wanted to report that the girls are doing GREAT!  Madeline, who’s a little more aloof than her sister, came down the stairs on the second day and the two of them own the place.  Queen Blackcap comes down too, though she’s a little more cautious.  She’s not fond of the dogs, and because of her demeanor around them they’re more interested in her, confirming her suspicions about them.  Sunday or Monday night at bedtime she managed to get cornered in the bedroom as we were going to bed.  The dogs noticed but only became keyed up when she started growling like a wolverine at them.  I went over and picked her up, then put her down on the rug by the door, so she could run out.  Of course she instead turned and ran under the bed, where she continued to growl ominously.  One dog ignored it, but the other two were ready to suss her out.  I ended up crating them both that night, as I knew I couldn’t get Blackcap out (too far under the bed) and they wouldn’t rest until the issue was resolved.  I wasn’t worried about them hurting her (it was more of a bark and chase situation), but she doesn’t know that.  She stopped growling after a while, and by morning was back up in the loft – she loves the top of the cat tree. 

The youngsters are fantastic with the dogs; they’re totally nonreactive, and thus the dogs mostly ignore them.  I’m thinking they must have been raised around dogs, they’re just so relaxed.  They’re enjoying the parakeets (!!) and are very interested in what’s outside.  I’ve been keeping the door closed and latched (the dogs will push it open if it’s not tightly latched), and hope I can keep them inside for another month or so.  With Eloise being so bold, I worry at the THOUGHT of her going outside.  Eloise curls up on neck when I’m on the sofa watching TV at night, purring like a motorboat. 

I am so pleased with how they’ve all integrated – still a little growly going on with Peachy and them, but he’s sleeping up in the loft at night, so it can’t be all bad, and everyone’s respectful.  One of the kittens used my bathmat as a toilet one day, so I’ve put another litterbox in the bathroom for now (which they’re using).  I have three boxes in the loft (for now) and once they get a little older and learn the ropes a bit better, I’ll reduce that number and/or get the one out of my bathroom.  I have to be quick, because the dogs are only too ready to help me scoop! 

I was a little worried when I decided to take all three. I wanted them, but wasn’t sure if I’d made the right decision for them and the household.  But after six days I am so glad I did!  It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while! 

I’ll be writing a blog post about them in the near future, and will be sure to send you a link when it’s posted.

Thank you and your team for all you do!