Rossie has been sequestered in the downstairs bathroom since we returned from our trip to Pennsylvania in October. We started out with Daisy and Sapphire in with her, but Sapphire was removed fairly quickly. I put the three of them in there to try to help socialize them, but Sapphire became far less social quickly. She rarely lets us touch her, but she’s always around when she’s in the general population. While she was in the bathroom, she became reclusive and combative. When I released her into the main part of the house, she resumed her normal behavior.

Daisy did not do well in the bathroom either, but she wasn’t too much worse than when she was in the general population. I kept her in there for company for Rossie. They seemed to get along, but being in the bathroom wasn’t helping Daisy be more social with us.

When I brought Walter into the house, I released Daisy into the main part of the house, and she has reverted to her normal behavior — always around but not interested in being handled. Mr. L can pet her sometimes, but she doesn’t care for me. Daisy did have to go to the vet last week for her annual exam and shots. The night before I needed to take her, I spoke with her for a few minutes explaining what needed to happen the next day. Daisy was under the bed. We closed the door, and Mr. L was preparing to get on the floor to pull her out, but she came out on her own, cried at the door, and allowed me to pick her up and put her in the carrier — pretty much like I’d explained to her things would need to happen. Daisy’s trip to the vet was uneventful, and she’s a healthy kitty.

Walter has settled down in the downstairs bathroom with Rossie. They are still negotiating their terms, but by and large, they get along well. Rossie is coming out of her box much more. When we go into the bathroom, Rossie is outside her box and on the cat tree about half of the time. About 25% of those times, she remains on the tree while we’re in the bathroom, and she interacts with us. When she’s in her box, she will usually come out to be petted with some coaxing. She leans into being petted when we reach into the box to pet her.

In short, Rossie is becoming a more socially interactive cat with both us and with Walter. She purrs and seems happy and relaxed. Walter is happy and relaxed. So far, so good.