Gryff had a much easier time dealing with all of the company than I anticipated

[Siwsan]

At first he kind of hung out in the hallway and under a dining room chair, observing and assessing. Madoc was, naturally, in the thick of things so that might have given Gryff some assurance. After a while he started chasing his new whiffle balls down the hallway and he even wander in to the living room to continue his assessment, at slightly closer range. And for the FIRST time, when my nephew dropped some food on the floor, Gryff POUNCED, beating Madoc to the tidbit.

After my niece and nephew, with their 'SOs' left, my brother stayed to work more on gaining Gryff's trust. And for the first time Gryff really interacted with him. He's still not too sure about receiving scritches from him but he did give him a 'sniff' investigation.

The boys were exhausted after all of that activity and they slept through the night. Me? Not so much. Maybe they will allow me a nap, later this afternoon.

[Walleye]

1. My indoor cat, Patches, hides under the bed when company comes

He’s a big brave guy with me but he refuses to meet strangers. It’s OK though keeps him from bolting out the door when somebody comes in. I sure wish I could sleep as well as they do

[wnylib]

2. Sniff - essential investigation tool.

Your brother must have passed the sniff test for interacting.

Maybe next time Gryff will remember the scent and move on to being touched.

[SheltieLover]

7. Now you have me wondering

Whether cats store sniff test results like dogs do. I know cats have great noses, but do they store the experience with the scent in memory? I'd think so.

[wnylib]

9. I am sure they do. Dogs do. People do.

We recognize all kinds of scents, from food, to flowers, to other people, with or without colognes, powders, and perfumes.

Cats recognize scents, voices, sounds, and visuals.

An example of my current cat's recognition of scent and voice after a long period of time. I gave a more detailed account on another thread, so I'll just say here that when I got Ember at 9 weeks old, the home she came from was unpleasant for her. I got her from a coworker. 2 years later, the coworker wanted to stop in to my place to see Ember full grown.

Ember went to the door like she usually does when someone knocks. As soon as I opened the door, Ember sniffed the coworker and her boyfriend, then raced away to leap onto a counter and hiss. When the coworker spoke to Ember, the cat arched her back and growled. She would not let the woman within 6 feet of her.

Ember's normal behavior toward visitors is to sniff and greet them with a leg rub, even strangers.

[SheltieLover]

10. Good for her!

I sort of presumed kitties store context with scent, but never really considered it. I know dogs do.

Ty for sharing & ty for rescuing Ember!

[wnylib]

11. I felt guilty for agreeing to let

the woman visit. After 2 years in a safe place with lots of hugs and kisses, I did not think Ember would react negatively to the visit. But her reaction was instantaneous and strong.

I vowed that I would never let that woman inside my place again.

[SheltieLover]

12. Glad you got Ember's message!

[Freddie]

3. My boys will happily meet visitors and get scritches - but only if there's no kids

Charlie especially hides from kids, even though the grandkids (ages 11, 7 and 3) have never done one thing to hurt him. They have cats and dogs at home and know how to treat animals with respect. Maybe he had a bad experience from the place we rescued them from.

[SheltieLover]

8. I think sometimes

Animals can feel kids' energy level & perhaps that translates to loose cannon potential.

[SheltieLover]

4. Glad to hear Gryff is making progress

Haha! Beat Madoc to the dropped food. Did Madoc swipe at him?

[Siwsan]

5. I think he was too stunned!

I try to keep them as strictly as possible on just kitten food but the occasional treat won't hurt them, as long as it isn't on the 'forbidden' list, like chocolate, garlic or onions.

[SheltieLover]

6. 😱

Best tell guests to drop two chunks of meat (or whatever), a ways apart from now on.



So glad he is socializing a bit. I think he's getting the idea that other hoomans can have things to offer... presumably malfunctioning opposable thumbs, resulting in dropped food, & scritches.

Your brother sounds like a really great guy!