Kitty Drama

We've been adopted by a new kitty. Gray Kitty showed up sometime around Christmas and hasn't left. At least not for more than a day or two. As stray kitties go he's actually pretty nice. He comes, eats Leia's food, lounges in Leia's spots, and generally acts like he lives here. He even tries to be friends with Leia.

Leia, however, has no desire for kitty friends. She seems to tolerate Gray Kitty, unless he gets too close to her (although I did catch them bumping noses once, without any hissing from Leia). 

The development of their relationship has been funny to watch. At first Leia would stay as far away as possible from Gray Kitty. And Gray Kitty would keep trying to get closer to Leia. Sometimes we'd hear Gray Kitty meowing (he has a very distinct meow) on the back porch. We'd look out the window and see him meowing at Leia, who was warily huddled in a corner. We'd open the door and Leia would come running in. A couple seconds later we'd hear Gray Kitty meowing again, only now he's sniffing around the spot where Leia was, then meowing at the door. 

We usually put Leia in the garage at night, and one or twice we've accidently locked her in there with Gray Kitty all night. We'd go out in the morning and find Gray Kitty nonchalantly lying in one of Leia's usual spots and Leia scrunched up as close to the door as possible meowing like crazy.

Now they frequently nap in parallel on the back porch. This is a huge social step for Leia, who usually runs away from any strange animal. This may be the closest she'll ever get to being friends with another kitty.

It seems like every day there is a new chapter in the kitty drama. And we laugh and laugh.