Intersecting Cats

My two cats, Haiku and Taki have gotten better about sharing proximity.  They will both sit in the living room with me, and sometimes, even on the sofa at the same time, but in very different positions: usually Haiku on the end opposite from where I sit, and Taki on the sofa back behind me.  But not always.  

They also can both be found on the bed a the same time, but usually in very different quadrants of the bed, but more recently, both will lie at the head of the bed, on opposite sides.  They may both eat at the same time in the area where their dishes are in the kitchen, but Haiku is apt to eat better, and she is a finicky eater, if her dishes are set away from where Taki is eating.  And, if Haiku is eating, Taki can chase her away from her food simply by approaching, and staring at her, even though she may be 8 inches away.  Obviously, though, she is invading Haiku's space.  This creates a problem, because Taki is way overweight, and gets too much food, and Haiku does not eat enough, and only eats small amounts at any one sitting.

I have been on vacation this week, and doing a lot of computer work and reading, and Taki has taken, more and more, to wanting to sit on my lap.  Which is great, unless Haiku is already there. 

Yesterday, though, Taki was nestled in my lap, and Haiku came into the living room. She obviously wanted on her spot at the other end of the sofa, but as is often her custom, she wanted to walk across my lap to get there.  I encouraged her to just jump on the sofa at the other end, but she did not.  So, I encouraged her to jump on the sofa at my end. And, lo and behold, she did.  She then, very gingerly, walked across my chest so she could get to the other end of the sofa. Taki was not disturbed from her spot on my lap!  This took a great deal of mental energy and courage for Haiku, who is an easily intimidated, shy and retiring creature.  I was so proud of her!  

Cat Spacing

I know Sake is feeling better, because her resting places include the middle of the living room floor, and one end of the sofa, rather than under the bed, in the closet, under the dining room chair.  She is not hiding  She is still fragile in some ways, and keeping her space is one of those ways.

For months, Haiku has wanted to sit in my chair in the computer room, rather than the spare chair.  The nylon folding chair we had, that she was sort of okay with broke, and I have a metal folding chair in it place. While Haiku will sit on the chair, she does not like it.  I understand. As with most metal chairs, it has a short back, and space between the back and the seat.  However, the seat is padded. 

Well, tonight, when I got home from work (I was late) Sake was sleeping on one end of the sofa, and Haiku on the other.  And, Haiku has spent a large part of the evening on her end of the sofa, although both she and Sake have moved around from place to place, depending on my activity, and I am not sure what else.

Once again, the last few weeks, there have been brief periods of time when all 3 cats were in the same room, usually the living room.  One morning, all three were in the small bathroom, while I was taking a shower. Sake used to love to get in the shower stall with me, stand outside the reach of the water, but be there. She did it that morning, briefly, but became upset because Taki was in the bathroom, although Taki has no interest in being in the shower when the water is running!

What do I know?