OneAndOneIs2

So, the kittens have been around a while now.. seems like time for an update.

When we first saw them, they were able to sit comfortably on one hand - they were *tiny*

Base was the black cat Tina chose from a litter of five on the grounds that she likes black cats and this one purred constantly and was friendly.

Aidy was the tortoiseshell in a cage on her own, whom I chose on the grounds that she seemed to think humans were a kind of mobile climbing frame.

They came home a few days later, and that was when I found out what their histories were. Base had come from a home, with her brothers and sisters, that just didn't feel able to look after a litter of kittens. I can understand that, but am a bit puzzled as to why you'd have a cat that wasn't neutered if you didn't want kittens.. Oh well. She went straight from home to the rescue center, and was with her family the whole time.

And then there was Aidy. She'd been picked up off the street, a half-starved stray with fleas and worms. A proper rescue cat. Not a good time of year to be a lost kitten, I think..

Base had been put in with Aidy after we'd chosen them as our two in the center, and they reported that they didn't fight but didn't seem all that interested in each other. We figured that was good enough and brought them home.

Base came in, looked around, found food, water, and a litter tray, and decided "Yes, this will do. I will live here."

Aidy found the coffee table tucked in one corner, went under it, and stayed there. She wasn't sure what was going on, and given her history we couldn't really blame her for being nervous.

We didn't want to force her out of her hiding place, nor to leave her cowering. So I opted to sit nearby and make a fuss of Base, and eventually the sight and sound of a purring familiar kitten overcame Aidy's nervousness and she crept out.

They were a real mismatched pair, these two little animals, but this actually worked in our favour. Base was a very confident 'real' cat - independent, agile, aloof, and firmly convinced that this is her house and we're the household slaves, here for her convenience. Aidy was a nervous, clumsy ball of fluff who seemed to expect to be thrown out at any moment.

Two Aidy's, or two Base's, would have been a real problem - Base very definitely is territorial, and dominance matters to her. Two kittens wanting to be 'top dog' would have fought and been a problem.

Aidy doesn't know or care what dominance is, and unquestioningly gives way to Base. She therefore is no threat to Base, and they get on well. What's more, Base is more confident and agile, and Aidy follows her lead and has learnt to climb and jump far better than she would have done on her own.

And Aidy, once she started to get over her nervousness, is a very affectionate and playful cat. Base will come over to you because she wants to be stroked; Aidy will come over because she wants company, or a game. Base claws my hand off if I hold a toy she wants, Aidy will join in the game and pounce on it repeatedly.

They pounce on and fight each other throughout the day, every day. But there's never any hissing or claws - they're not fighting for dominance, they're just playing. And practicing for a few weeks' time when they get allowed outside.

They're definitely going to be a shock to a few local animals when they go outside. There's a few cats come through our garden that Base simply won't tolerate, and she's going to be a miniature panther when she's fully grown. Aidy won't care about other cats, but she'll follow Base's lead and back her up. And they're already well practised in fighting together and knowing how each other will react. There's also a few foxes that might be in for a bad time if Base decides they're undesireables.

They're definitely nice to have around, tho. The house doesn't feel empty and more. Getting one each was a very good idea, too - instead of one bored kitten destroying things for fun, we have two kittens that keep each other company and play endlessly together. And either on her own would probably have been a bit of a disappointment - Base is friendly and confident, and affectionate in her way, but she's still a bit too aloof and independent. Aidy is affectionate and playful, but was too nervous to show it. They've both had an effect on each other, and we're all happier for it.

Probably the best example of their differences is where they sat when we were eating a meal earlier. Base sat on 'her' spot on the top of an armchair - this is certainly 'hers' - it's her spot and she will defend it against trespassers. It's comfy, and completely exposed to the whole room: She can see everything, and pounce on it if she wants to.

Aidy sat on one of the spare dining chairs, so she was shielded by the table and chair back, able to see everything without anything being able to get at her; close to both of us and equidistant between Tina and me.

She's certainly still a little bit of a coward, but she's getting more confident daily, and with a good home and a resident panther to grow up with, she's going to be a real little tiger when she grows up.

And we know she thinks this is a good home, because she's on the sofa behind me right now, purring in her sleep.