Chunk meets Willow =) Photo heavy!

[Tina B and crew]

We got Chunk today to see how things would work out with him and Willow. He seems to be adjusting pretty well, he's found is "safe spot" on one of the beds, has eaten some food, found the litter box and gave out a few pressies. Willow reacted a little more hissy than I expected but none of her hisses were the "ears flat I'm going to kill you" kind of hiss. At first when she hear him meow she came running and checked him out. I swear she didn't hiss until he found her favorite toy and was checking it out. Right now they are both sleeping on separate beds. I think Chunk is going to bond with Tim nicely. There is no doubt that Willow MY cat and when I leave the house she meows a lot until I come home. Well, when Tim left for work today Chunk meowed a lot until he fell asleep. He's come out and explored a bit but is kind of sticking to his safe spot mostly. I am praying they will learn to be buddies. At one point Willow hissed at Chunk and he assumed the "belly up" submissive posture and after that things seemed to be pretty calm between them. No cuddling or playing yet, but it's only been about 6 hours.

Here are a few photos I took:

Willow hears Chunk meow!

"Oh, what's that?! I hear a kitten!!"



Chunk is hiding in Willow's crinkle tube.
"where's my mommy?"



"That's not my mommy! But I'll check it out anyway" while Willow says "what is that little rugrat doing in my crinkle tube?!"



"Ok...I'll come out"



"Hmmm....this isn't a kitten...kittens are suppose to be tiny!"




"I don't know about this" says Willow
"Hmmm...a toy!" says Chunk




Willow says "no way buddy, that's my Mr. Wormy and you can't have him!" It was about this time that Willow gave her first hiss



One more sniff and then Willow took off after hissing again....



Fingers crossed that they will become buddies!

[E's]

What a pair of photogenic sweeties! Great pics. I too hope they will be okay together; looks like they're doing ok so far! I don't recall ever bringing an opposite gender into the home... at least in the more than 20 years since my cats have been strictly indoor... I've only had neutered males and was lucky with that... guess we did in the old days when we didn't know enough to worry about it lol...

[Tina B and crew]

They still aren't too sure of each other. Willow is rather curious and so is Chunk but that's about as far as they will go so far. I've had both of them playing and now they are both sleeping in different spots. Willow usually spends the evening on my lap but she has refused to jump up here because she can see Chunk across the room. I hope in time that will change because I miss having my lap kitty.

E's...we were going to take one of the girls but my daughter assessed all their personalities and thought Chunk would be the best match for Willow. The girls were really out there and rambunctious while Chunk was a mama's boy and kind of stayed in the background watching everyone else. Willow had such trauma with Frodo and Gizmo being aggressive toward her that I didn't want to bring in another cat that might not be so docile, if you will. Chunk is very laid back it seems and certainly isn't an "in your face" kind of cat. Hopefully it will work out and they will be buddies. We really wanted a companion for Willow so she wouldn't be home alone while we are at work/school.

[momPaws]

They got really close to each other..bet that is a good sign. Beautiful cats.

[k9Karen]

I suspect all will work out OK. It will just take a little time for the boundaries to be established.

They are both beautiful.

[Traci]

I'd say they've had a pretty good first day. The fact that Willow was even interested in getting so close to check him out is a good sign!! Remember, this is a bit tough on both of them, Willow knows she's queen and Chunk has a totally new environment to adjust to. I know you know all this

I personally think that introducing a kitten to an adult is sometimes easier. Willow's nurturing instincts might kick in (and maybe not, lol), and Chunk might view her as a mommy or big sister figure. I'm sure she'll let him know who's boss and he being laid back will probably respect her.

Just be prepared for his kitten stage, you know, that independent stage where he's curious about everything and testing the waters, including seeing how much he can get away with, with his big sister!

I love the pics, and here's hoping for a bonded relationship!

[Tina B and crew]

Well, Chunk slept all night like a good boy and of course is wrecking havoc this morning in the usual kitten way Willow is trying to warm up to him I think but he's still hisses and growls, albeit a pathetic and totally non-threatening growl/hiss that doesn't even phase Willow. Of course she has scolded him a few times when he got near her Mr. Wormy toy. I think once he realizes Willow isn't a threat things will work out...and Willow still loves her Mommy <3

[Tina B and crew]

3rd day in...a few observations

Willow can get jealous if I play with Chunk or he snuggles with me but she doesn't act out just sulks

We've had a few attempts at play, all initiated by Willow...Chunk reacts by jumping, Willow then freaks out, hisses, swats Chunk firmly on the head (no claws), stands her ground while Chunk runs and hides

Willow has scolded Chunk for getting on my desk, trying to get into her tent, and trying to play with Mr. Wormy. All gentle swats, no claws.

Both cats are eating well and using the litter box as they should

Yesterday Willow approached Chunk, stretched and blinked (which if I'm correct is a sign of being friendly) and started meowing at him. Chunk sat about 3 feet away and meowed back

They've touched noses a few times without hissing.

If we pick Chunk up and he starts meowing loudly (he doesn't like to be picked up) Willow will come running like she use to when we fostered kittens..so her maternal instinct is still there but I think her attachment to mommy has trumped it for the most part

So far I've not seen Willow put her ears flat or act aggressive. She wins every stare down and has not backed down once. I think her main issue is jealousy but I make sure I give her plenty of attention...in fact she is probably getting more than she did before!

Chunk has quite a purr motor! And he has very large feet!

[Tina B and crew]

Chunk got a clean bill of health from the vet today and got his second FVRCP booster...and since his testicles were fully descended and he is a HORRIBLE traveler the vet went ahead and neutered him. He's home and is doing just fine and Willow even made an attempt to play with him and mother him after he got home. She goes in phases, one minute she seems excited to see him then she seems to sulk...she's sulking right now When I came home after dropping him off she was all over me giving me pressies, on my lap and being very lovable. It's almost as if she was saying "thank you for taking that little rug-rat away!"

[Traci]

So far, so good! Looks like Willow is surprising you in more ways than one

Isn't it great when they get along?!