Esther has always been a standoffish cat since she arrived. Doesn't want to be picked up. sleeps downstairs by choice, runs off when you approach to stroke her ... you get the picture. Some nights I have been fairly sure she sneaks onto the bed, but she is always gone immediately anyone moves and then doesn't come back that night. But ...
Over the last couple of weeks there have been enormous strides! She leaps up beside me on the couch and demand cuddles. She lets me pick her up (sometimes), and most importantly, she is almost always first to bed! She has adopted the pillow beside mine. Last night, which was somehow cold and windy and awful so that the dog was invited on the bed, she even stayed there when he got up and settled himself down and so I had all three there sharing with me!!
This was something of a mixed blessing, but I was just so pleased that she is finally realising she is safe and loved. I feel almost guilty that I am going to break this idyll by shipping them all off to Australia in two weeks. But I guess she will resume that level of affection if only due to the issues of proximity when we are all sharing a caravan for a few weeks while they settle into their new home ...
