Cats

Ryanne loves our cats. They're the first thing she asks about when we're pulling up to the apartment, every time. Minuit (mimi) seems to be her favorite. Julia (joo-ya) comes in a close second. I think Max (macks) and Spot (spa-tuh) are neck in neck for 3rd. Poor Preta (Petta) is too easily confused with Minuit and gets misnamed.

Of all of the cats, Preta puts up with her the most. She'll have her tail pulled without a peep. She seems to occasionally initiate games of chase with RC. She'll get her attention and then - somewhat slowly - run to the hallway. Ryanne will follow. When she gets close enough, Preta will run back to the bedroom. Ryanne only plays for a few minutes. I'm pretty sure she doesn't *quite* get that Preta's playing with her.

Max, amazingly, is also pretty good around her. He'll spit a bit when she tugs his tail. He also yowls at her when she pets him. All the same, he'll put up with a little kiss on his nose or side. He'll "talk" back when she meows at him. He'll sit, cowering, as she comes over to tackle him. He doesn't even flinch anymore when she 'pets' him, complete with deep little girl voice saying, "Tittle, tittle, tittle."

Minuit and Spot will tolerate her if they're in our laps when she comes over. Usually, though, they want to get away after just one full body hug.

Julia...yeah...she runs. It doesn't matter where she is - if Ryanne gets within 5 paces, she's out of there. Nevertheless, the lack of tail seems carry quite a bit of notoriety in RC's book.

They're all getting more mellow with age. They're also getting more mellow as Ryanne ages. I think someday, they'll all end up good friends. For now, they are little more than (im)patient roommates.