Well, Maddy absolutely LOVES the cats. I think she views them as big unattainable stuffed animals who she can snuggle and move around. However, they are no long as unattainable as they once were now that she is crawling around. Now they realize she's mobile they avoid her pretty well.
The cats have very different personalities towards Maddy. Joe is more laid back. He lets her come up and touch him, snuggle him a bit and hug him. Then he'll get up and walk away. The only time he really doesn't walk away is when he's laying on something he doesn't want to give up to her--a blanket, toy, pillow, chair. I get most nervous having her around him when he is laying down on the couch or chair. He likes to sleep there and used to be out of reach. But now that Maddy's had her growth spurt, she can reach to the back of both now. And since she's cruising and pulling up so well, she can do it FAST. Joe will get irritated with her if she bugs him while he's resting on the chairs and couch. Once he mewed at her when she touched (not pulled) his tail. She got scared of course and started crying. That's a GOOD thing in my book. It's not that I want her scared of the cats, but she needs to know they aren't play things! And I'd rather a mew scare her than get bit. Now, I'm sure that will happen sooner or later too, since I can't prevent everything. Hopefully later when she's old enough to understand what it means.
Ruthie, on the other hand, is a different breed of cat. She's not as laid back as Joe. She doesn't let Maddy anywhere near her. This is good, very good, cause Ruthie does not hesitate on batting her front paw at the person who is annoying her. She won't hesitate in nipping either, if she wants to. Today, Maddy was trying to reach for Ruthie behind the chair and Ruthie batted at Maddy's hand. Maddy got upset and cried, but this is good too. You could see Maddy pull away and just look at her, thinking, "Hey, you're not soft and cuddly!" I'm a LOT more careful with Ruthie around Maddy. I don't let her get to close and always make sure that Ruthie doesn't get cornered. Joe, I'm more lenient on because he is more gentle with her. But I'm always right there too, cause well, he still is an animal.
It will be interesting to see how things progress as she learns to walk (and then run)! I wonder what kind of interactions they'll have when she's two or three. I wonder how much that cats will hide and run and how much they will dislike her. Or I wonder if they will tolerate her. Maddy is already being more careful with Joe. When I tell her to use 'nice hands' she points one index finger and very gently touches his fur. Of course, this often leads to her throwing herself on top of him after that. She can't help it, he's just soooo cuddly and pillow-like. Afterall, he's a furry lump of purring warm fat!
Oops, she's up, must run!
Tea of the day: Adagio Mango Black Tea/Adagio Mango Rooibos Tea