If you follow me on instagram you may have already seen this, but just in case you don’t…Rolly has been having a really hard time with the new kitten (who is now larger than the dog and has no clue how strong he is, as he seems to be teething on everything and everyone). This is happening at the same time that Hailey has moved into a new place to start their pharmacy doctorate, and they’re only an hour away from us but they are still very lonely, so they decided that Rolly should come and live with them. This is actually a wonderful idea, and technically Rolly is Hailey’s cat (which explains why Rolly has a normal name instead of a pun name, because that’s what happens when you let your 2-year-old name their cat) so it feels very normal but almost incredibly unnatural because Rolly has lived with me for over 20 years.
A few days ago I took her over to Hailey’s, thinking that she’d probably hide in a corner of the guest bedroom where I was going to spend the night and stay with her until she felt safe, but within 20 minutes she was meowing insistently at the door and confidently explored the rest of the place (probably just to make sure there weren’t any kittens waiting to attack her). She was fascinated with the pigeons (currently making a nest on the balcony) and the sunbeams to sleep in.
Rolly is the most haughty of all of our cats. Removed. Judgy. She might sit near you on a rare occasion, but won’t sit on your lap. She likes her solitary living and tends to stay in rooms where she can be alone. A few times a day when she wants love she will demand it and will purr like mad, but as soon as she’s done you better stop or she will make you stop. Sort of a perfect match for Hailey, living alone in their apartment and spending so many nights studying.
I was not prepared for the fact that Rolly would instantly transform into a cat who wanted to sleep in a bed, or jumped up on the couch to sit with Hailey and I while we watched tv. I’ve never seen Rolly sleep overnight on a bed in my life but suddenly she is the snuggliest thing. Perhaps some of this is a little fear of being in a new place, but I suspect that more likely she just never spent a ton of time sitting right next to us because she lightly despises all other animals. She is so enjoying being an only child that it’s like she’s on vacation, or in a lush cat-retirement home.
It hurts my heart a little be away from her, but Hailey keeps sending me pictures of her cuddled up in bed as they study into the night. Hailey has surrounded her with toys (which she promptly ignored) and treats (which she is loving) and Hailey is massaging special balms onto her toe beans, and gently grooming her with a steam brush, and just generally pampering the shit out of her. They just ordered a set of cat stairs because “she shouldn’t have to jump into bed at her age, mom.” I suspect soon they will be wearing Rolly in a baby harness.
In short, I think this will work out just fine.
Even if I miss them both so much it hurts a little.
PS. I know what you’re going to say….now I need another kitten. And I would agree, except that Rolly is 20 and it’s possible that in the future she might need special care that Hailey can’t give (because they’re in school during the day) and I don’t want to risk Rolly having to come back and deal with two rambunctious babies and a dog. But, man I am tempted.
This is a different topic, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from you, it’s to digress without caring. If I move into a retirement home, and I am a senior citizen, it had better have some cats in it. Lots of cats. Booze would be nice, but the main thing is the cats.
I really needed to read this today. It fills me with so much joy to know Rolly and Hailey are happy. I’m sorry for you, missing Rolly. Sending hugs your way.
That’s amazing! I’m so glad Rolly is loving her new place with Hailey. My husband and I have 15 cats (12 inside; 3 ferals outside), and I know a few of them would probably love to be an only cat but I have no idea how to make that happen when they are also the ones who are terrified of other people. We do what we can to give them plenty of room and safe places to be alone.
Also – get another kitten! It will give Purrsy someone to play with and keep distracted if Rolly does need to come back. I mean no guarantees, but it might help! We have a kitten right now and I kind of wish we had another one his age.
I noticed the bookshelf in the background full of stuffies. It so reminds me of your weird and wonderful collections! I am wishing Hailey and Rolly a happy life together in their new home. I am also sending you love and prayers in dealing with the absence of both of them! May the babies that remain with you will bring you comfort.
Not to be an enabler or anything but the whole thing with having two young cats (especially if they’re both male) is that they keep EACH OTHER busy, and so even if Rolly had to come back, two kittens will probably bother her less than one would who doesn’t have anything else interesting to pay attention to.
Get another kitten. At least start with a foster kitten to see if everyone gets along. Odds are Rolly has found their happy place with Hailey and needed to be an only child pet at the same time that Hailey needed a pet from home. They will find great comfort with each other, while making very few demands of each other.
Your kitten needs someone he can wrestle with, and if Rolly comes back, then the two kittens will have already pair bonded and matured somewhat, and it will be fine.
And you’ll have the joy knowing that two of your loved ones are keeping each other company in these next stages of their lives.
I have a cat like this. When his brother passed away, he transformed from aloo and introverted into a social, playful, snuggle bug.
He will hopefully live to be at least 20 (his brother died young-ish at just 12 years old). But I cannot get another pet while he is alive because it’s just not fair to him. He deserves to live his best life, and for them, that’s as a single pet.
love this for rolly!
I’m so happy they have each other, being each other’s one and only! And my gut reaction is to say wait! She may be back and be bombarded by a couple of young boys, but…there are so few good homes and so many in need! Don’t listen to me, I have 4 dogs, and would have more if I had the funds and the space, I worked in rescue for a while, my judgement is crazy animal people kind of skewed…we’re just so fun and loving!
When I was 19, I took my childhood cat to college with me. He wasn’t as old as Rolly, but close, and suddenly, he loved to sit in the passenger seat and travel and was at home with me. This is the perfect move you’ve made. They are together at the best times of their lives.
This made my heart happy. How lovely that Hailey and Rolly are not lonely and are having a good time. But I’m sorry that means you have to miss them both. Having several older animals during my lifetime I got such pleasure hearing about Rolly getting their toe beans massaged, and steam brushed fur. What a lovely thing for a senior kitty. 💕
Beautiful!