After I moved from Tallahassee to my brother's Hialeah home, Matilda was adamant not to integrate to the pride of two cats he had been left with after the demise of two of his four he had. And we had to divide the house into two separate dwellings and separated them, first, by a cloth divider, which Matilda ripped to pieces and finally by a solid door that brought peace to our new shared home.

After almost three years, things have changed — a lot. One of my brother's cat died, opportunity two outside cats were aware of, I have no idea how, and moved in.

Dalmata, who not only looks like a dog, feels solid and stout like a dog, but also behave (safe for the scratching the furniture) like a canine.

Then a fluffy lost black as night cat invited himself to join the family. Just like that, one day, he came in and never left. All of the sudden, my brother had to care for three cats.

Matilda? Ah, Matilda was happily frolicking undisturbed in her territory, half a house for herself, while the other three had to share.

But cats know where opportunity calls.

First it was Dalmata. He sneaked every once in a while into forbidden territory. Matilda hissed and growled and he hissed and growled back. Not a good tactic.

Then the black cat already baptized Melinus, entered Matilda's territory with the same confidence he moved in my brother's side. Matilda hissed and growled. Melinus paid absolutely no attention to her.

He sat a foot away from Matilda and looked indifferently at her hissing and growling. He paid half a doze visits to us, and one night, he stayed.

Matilda was so furious that she couldn't sleep that night and I had to pick up Melinus and bring him to the other side.

Next night, a persistent Melinus came back. At bedtime, he hid quietly behind the computer. Matilda was suspicious and every once in a while looked at the computer behind which Melinus was sleeping, but since he was in my bed did not want to move.

Then my brother picked up the cutest tiny abandoned black kitten and brought her home. As it happens, she became the cat gremlin of the house, adorable, thus hated by the other cats who were upset by the attention my brother and I paid to Bindy.

It was then when Melinus decided to pack for good and moved in with Matilda and me.

He probably thought, "on the other side I have to share a litter box with two grown ups and nasty little runt. Here I have an electric, automatic litter box, food 24 hours a day (my brother feeds his cats at regular times and Matilda is used to have food ready all the time) and food is much better here." My brother feeds the cats what is "good for them" and I feel Matilda and now Melinus what they like. And believe, they know the difference.

Melinus loves this side so much that now he doesn't even venture on the other side. Although Dalmata and Bindy do visit us if they can.

So our living headquarters have been re-arranged. Matilda only cares about having the privilege of sleeping in my bed and does not want Melinus near the bed, but only when she is there. During the day, Matilda remains in the hot porch, while Melinus prefers to remain with me in air conditioning. And otherwise, they are getting along great.

Copyright © Ralph Rewes
July 7, 2007