I knew when we hung two window hammocks in our motorhome .. that one day there would be two.
We have had an amazing 60+hrs now since the introduction of Monty to his new forever home and his big brother Si.
We feel very fortunate that the shelter we rescued from listened to all of our thoughts on Si's personality and recommended another very sweet, laid back kitten named Monty. On the actual introductions, we went with our gut feeling, based on Si's curiosity and body language. Monty had a full 24hrs of peace and quiet to let him settle in. We did let Si see and hear him meow in the carrier when we brought him home, and Si remained ever vigilant watching the crack at the bottom of the bathroom door. He displayed no growling or hissing even when one of us was playing with Monty play near the door.
Morning two, we cracked the door to let them see each other face to face and Si immediately went into a low grumbling growl with a few hisses. Monty was unphased. We shut the door, fed both guys on opposite sides of the door and swapped out playing with and rubbing each of them in different rooms. After nap time and another round of heavy playing with each, we again positioned ourselves to be near each of them and opened the door. Si remained motionless, staring at Monty. Si's ears remained forward and alert and he showed no sign of attacking so we both sat there watching them watch each other. When Si walked away Monty tried to follow so we let them be together (ready to grab one if need be) in the middle of the kitchen floor. Si gave us all a good talking to, but again, no body language indicating a possible attack. No bristled fur, nothing.
By the evening Si was just staying out of Monty's way as we played 'da Bird with him in the living room. If Monty walked away Si cautiously followed him. Still occasionally hissing and he did give him a little boop swat to the head when Monty got too close. No screaming so we knew it was a no-claw boop.
On day three of introductions we decided Si was exhibiting the tolerance we had felt and hope he would so while watching them both like a hawk as they traversed the motorhome, we saw a few crazy kitten spurts from Monty that made Si give chase. Although when he would catch him he would hiss and walk away. That didn't last but another 2-3hrs at most.
By last night there were 8 feet thundering from one end of the house to the other. They have started play wrestling a LOT. Monty just charges back for more. We're still getting used to the sounds they make while playing. But I try to check my knee-jerk reaction to step in unless it sounds way too rowdy. They are making a million noises wrestling now, they are eating side by side and Si has let Monty just stick his head into his own food bowl with not even a swat. I do grab Monty however, as I have not started his transition to a wet kitten food yet.
To say we are totally thrilled that our two boys are getting along is an understatement! There is no grooming or sleeping together yet. They will sleep 'near' one another but all of that is fine. Them being happy with one another is the most important.
We have had an amazing 60+hrs now since the introduction of Monty to his new forever home and his big brother Si.
We feel very fortunate that the shelter we rescued from listened to all of our thoughts on Si's personality and recommended another very sweet, laid back kitten named Monty. On the actual introductions, we went with our gut feeling, based on Si's curiosity and body language. Monty had a full 24hrs of peace and quiet to let him settle in. We did let Si see and hear him meow in the carrier when we brought him home, and Si remained ever vigilant watching the crack at the bottom of the bathroom door. He displayed no growling or hissing even when one of us was playing with Monty play near the door.
Morning two, we cracked the door to let them see each other face to face and Si immediately went into a low grumbling growl with a few hisses. Monty was unphased. We shut the door, fed both guys on opposite sides of the door and swapped out playing with and rubbing each of them in different rooms. After nap time and another round of heavy playing with each, we again positioned ourselves to be near each of them and opened the door. Si remained motionless, staring at Monty. Si's ears remained forward and alert and he showed no sign of attacking so we both sat there watching them watch each other. When Si walked away Monty tried to follow so we let them be together (ready to grab one if need be) in the middle of the kitchen floor. Si gave us all a good talking to, but again, no body language indicating a possible attack. No bristled fur, nothing.
By the evening Si was just staying out of Monty's way as we played 'da Bird with him in the living room. If Monty walked away Si cautiously followed him. Still occasionally hissing and he did give him a little boop swat to the head when Monty got too close. No screaming so we knew it was a no-claw boop.
On day three of introductions we decided Si was exhibiting the tolerance we had felt and hope he would so while watching them both like a hawk as they traversed the motorhome, we saw a few crazy kitten spurts from Monty that made Si give chase. Although when he would catch him he would hiss and walk away. That didn't last but another 2-3hrs at most.
By last night there were 8 feet thundering from one end of the house to the other. They have started play wrestling a LOT. Monty just charges back for more. We're still getting used to the sounds they make while playing. But I try to check my knee-jerk reaction to step in unless it sounds way too rowdy. They are making a million noises wrestling now, they are eating side by side and Si has let Monty just stick his head into his own food bowl with not even a swat. I do grab Monty however, as I have not started his transition to a wet kitten food yet.
To say we are totally thrilled that our two boys are getting along is an understatement! There is no grooming or sleeping together yet. They will sleep 'near' one another but all of that is fine. Them being happy with one another is the most important.
