A historic event last night as, after 9 months inside, newest rescue, Notty Cat (L) climbed into bed with Susy (R) and my wife and I. Things were pretty chill for both kitties, and both slept at least some. Dunno what happened in the night, but nothing that woke us up. Yay!
#caturday #catsOfMastodon #cats #rescuecat #nottycat #notmycat #susycat #catdiplomacy
Background: Susy is an old cat and spends her days mostly on our bed, and sleeps with us there at least some of the night. She tends to wait till we turn out the light and go to sleep to go wander the house and do cat business. I think she then usually sleeps under the foot of the bed till we wake up. Notty territory has been the living room and the guest room, and that's where she generally sleeps. They pass peacefully in the middle, but it looks stressed, and they don't interact much.
Recently Notty has gotten, well, naughtier. She's been scratching my wife's arm chair, acting out, and stealing small objects from my craft table, yowling after we go to bed, and really wanting to go out. Now I think she's just tired of being left alone when the rest of us go to bed. She is SO much more agreeable today and less clingy. Susy also seems to be in a better mood. We'll see what happens at bedtime tonight.
Notty was an outside rescue and we don't know her history. Susy was a rescue who was rehomed twice. She has a history of NOT liking other cats. I've never seen the two fight or show aggression (though Susy hissed a couple times when they interacted through a back door before we brought Notty in. It sent Notty running for the hills. This is the EXACT reverse of the way I figured this would play out.
In recent weeks, Susy has more often wandered out into the living room, were my wife and/or I often hang out in the evening, and there has been occasional peaceful sniffing. A few days back, I saw them exchange a nose boop in neutral territory. I really would love to see these two playing together. Both seem bored and understimulated, especially Notty, and her zillion toys don't solve the problem.

@jstevenyork
I really like the way cats do their social adjustments on their own timeline, not ours. Patience is often rewarded just when you thought nothing would ever change.

Good job, little Notty

@donaldham
I really was convinced that the relationship was set and nothing was going to change unless something radical happened (like introducing a third cat, something we have no plans to do), so this was a complete surprise. Of course, last night was last night. We'll see what happens tonight, and in the days and weeks going forward.