Adding a new cat or kittens is only the beginning of building a happy feline family. Cats are creatures of habit and anything new can easily disrupt their world. Physical things, like the noise created by the garbage trucks or thunderstorms, pass and normal returns relatively quickly. However, more permanent things--like two new kittens!--can upset the daily routine of an entire household.
We have cats ranging in age from three to sixteen years old. We thought we had carefully thought out the logistics of adding Freya and Zander, our two rescued kittens, to our feline family. Because of the great age differences between the cats, we knew we would have to keep the kittens separated and introduce them slowly, using screens at doorways and closing bedroom doors so our senior cat, who is blind, would have respite from kitten antics.
The screens worked for about a week, then Zander discovered that he could easily climb over the barrier and explore the world beyond. That week did provide a little protection for Paddy, Halo and Zoie Joy. However they were not as ready to have their world invaded as the kittens were to explore it...and them.
But we decided to let them handle the situation on their own...with careful surveillance, of course. There were hisses and growls and swats. But slowly the kittens learned their boundaries around the older cats. They soon realized that their older sisters were not quite as accepting of them as they were willing to be of their elders. Slowly over the course of the last two weeks, with boundaries learned, the felines are all navigating the downstairs. The kittens sometimes take a circuitous route around the older cats and there are occasionally still hisses and growls if they overstep their bounds.
But we have had times with four cats napping together on the bed and feeding times with adults eating next to kittens. We don't have a close-knit feline family yet, but hopefully with time and patience (both people and feline patience) we will once again find that balance that makes us one big happy feline family. My felines have taught me that with patience and tolerance can come acceptance, camaraderie and comfort.
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Coming in November 2017
Available October 17
Now Available for Pre-Order
Ah, wintertime in Rust Creek Falls! It's the perfect time of year to snuggle up by the fireplace and indulge in some juicy gossip. Speaking of snuggling, did you hear that Eli Dalton and Hadley Strickland were forced to spend the night together in an abandoned barn during our recent snowstorm?
While it may have been a horse in distress that brought the lovely veterinarian out to the Circle D, we're betting handsome, steady Eli will draw her back. We believe the rancher could melt fair Hadley's frozen heart—if she can find the courage to reveal her past. So hang the holly, dear readers, and remember that this is the season for miracles. Could a holiday proposal soon be in the works?
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Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen
every Thursday on the Cozy Chicks blog
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. This award-winning and bestselling author will have her 100th novel released in 2018. At present she is working on two mystery series for Kensington Books--Caprice De Luca Home Staging cozies and Daisy's Tea Garden mysteries. From time to time, she also writes romance for Harlequin Special Edition.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks and does watercolor paintings rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
