There were plenty of naysayers (ourselves included), who were cautiously optimistic, but more often dreadfully pessimistic about the possibility of successfully merging our two lives and three pets together in a 1,000-square-foot apartment.
We pawned the dog off on a friend so that when the kitties arrived after a long flight, they could explore the house dog-free.
They were a little rattled, but quickly took to their new home. ... sniffing, scratching, rolling, purring, and leaving their hair everywhere.
"They like it here" said Paul.
"I'm going to get the dog," I replied.
We both shrugged our shoulders and exchanged grimaces.
As I walked Beamer home, we (I) talked extensively. "Listen," I said. "I'm sorry. You're not going to be happy. The house is different now. More people. More animals. Please forgive me. I'll buy you some treats. Whatever you want. Please don't hate me."
After the 5 block walk home, I was pretty much groveling at the poor dog's lanky paws.
"Ready?" I asked through the apartment door to Paul who replied with trepidation "I guess."
I clutched Beamer's leash tight, having seen her growl and run after many an outdoor cat.
I opened the door.
"I'm sorry" I whispered to her.
We came in.
Iris and Myra, her new sisters, were perched on the couch. Their eyes met. The cats sized up the dog. The dog sized up the cats. Then Beamer went to her bed, sighed dramatically (if she could speak, I believe what she meant to say was "what the heck is going on here, Kim?"), and lay down.
Myra sought asylum under the bed.
Iris backed herself into a corner and growled.
At least no one lost a limb.
And then, something miraculous happened.
Over the next few hours, the cats slowly came out of hiding and became more and more bold with approaching the dog. Each time, Paul and I held our breath. ("Someone's going to lose an eye. I know it" said Paul)
And each time, our furry companions surprised us with their general comfort and disinterest in each other.
In fact, by day 2 the five of us piled onto the bed for "group nap".
Here is a picture of Iris and Beamer sleeping with Paul.
Of course, although we are overwhlemingly surprised by the uneventfulness of their meeting, our pets have certainly managed to instill chaos in other aspects. For instance:
1.
Feeding time is nuts. When I call the cats to eat, I say "Come here, kitties."
They come. Then Beamer comes (because she knows "come here".) then the cats stop in their tracks, not wanting to eat near the dog.
So I shoo Beamer away and say "not you. the cats."
"Ok, it's fine kitties, come on" i say when the dog is settled in her bed.
And they come.
And so does Beamer.
"No wait, not you, the cats!"
Paul looks on from the other room laughing.
The dog, cats, and me are all standing, looking confused, wondering how the heck this eating thing is going to go down.
Finally, after 5 back and forth "Come heres" and "No, waits!", I give in, put the cat food in the bedroom, corral the cats, and close the door.
I fell on to the couch exhausted.
2.
My workout pants will never be black again.
I went to bootcamp this morning, and during the morning run warm-up, a friend in class said, "Hey! Paul moved in didn't he? How'd it go?"
I proceeded to tell her a few funny stories and generally how much laughing we've been doing.
Then, as I edged in front of her on a hill, she shouted ahead: "So does Paul have cats or something?"
I looked back, and gasped out "yah. why?"
"Because your ass is so hairy the cat might actually be on it!"
Remind me to pick up some pet hair rollers!
So the adventure at home continues.
And the outdoor adventures will soon too.
The weather is looking more like summer, the mountain snow is melting, and it's time to get my hairy butt (ha!) into the great outdoors!
