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#TuxieGirl #Betty 
STILL doing #SlowCatIntro heading in to Week 13 
Staff is very fed up with this process. Last night's desensitization session in my carrier in the bedroom w/ #TabbyCat #Stevie & dad was... unfair. Why #Stevie gotta be all over sensitive n stuff? He hissed at me! THEN, Stevie got
ham! Mom says, "Late night food riles you up" . WTDuck!? 
So I got hugs 
#CatsOfMastodon
@666k9s Such a smol, pitiful meow, Betty 
Great hat you are calm, good job!
@666k9s If there was hissing and Stevie repeatedly approached the carrier aggressively, that’s less than optimal. But if it was just hissing and maybe one half-hearted swat? Strictly performative. And with the passing of my Porter, Betty is now my favorite Tuxedo. She’s gonna passive-aggressively annoy Stevie to learn how to manipulate him. That seems to be the tuxie superpower. Works on humans, too. Me, anyway.
@tom_streeter Stevie seemed half hearted with the swipe. He was easily distracted with tossed treats, and then sat down at a distance for less than five minutes and then took himself off to his Catio. It didn't feel violent. It felt like him warning her that he knows her now, and he's not putting up with any more bullying from her. We're still working on this.
@666k9s @tom_streeter
Excellent.
Cat Mom, what you describe is now basically regular cat communication.
Hissing and a half-hearted swat are saying "I dont want you to get any closer, okay?" "We are not friends (yet)."
@666k9s @tom_streeter
(cont.)
You are now on a good road to both being in the same room without barriers, with lots of distance for peace. Then watch them how long it takes to "relax" somewhat.
....While the humans of course need still be on their toes: does one of them stare too long? Then break the stare, simply by pushing an object in between, or distracting the Starer.
That will cost some nerves from staff .... but you are almost there at that point!
@Lojie @tom_streeter We're really pushing Stevie right now. He's feeling the pinch. Dad staff has come home early and stayed home at least one weekend day for the last two weeks but can't keep it up. We're also outfitting more Catio high places as currently only one corner has a bed and a climber. Could cause problems.
@666k9s Kudos to Dad!
@Lojie
Here it is! The new swinging tunnel with portals. Stevie doesn't really seem to enjoy the sway, but Betty does. Perfect!
@Lojie @tom_streeter I'm so glad to hear this! 
It certainly feels that way to me. The bedroom is going to be difficult for Stevie to adjust to I think. Dad comes home so late that mom n Betty have fallen into the habit of sleeping in her sanctuary room on the hastily purchased "COVID" bed we bought at the beginning of the pandemic. Stevie n dad sleep in the bedroom, but then he goes out the Catio after a bit.
@tom_streeter I so appreciate your comments and insight. Thank you.
@666k9s Your dedication to this is amazing, and that you’re exhausted is more than understandable. I think the clicker training with Betty is going to pay off because you can definitely communicate usefully. Your analysis of Stevie sounds dead-on. You and Staff Dad are the center of their universes. “I’m more disappointed than mad” is the stance to take when they act up. Your complete attention is their crack. If annoying that other cat is a way to get it, it’s a win-win from their viewpoint.
@tom_streeter Had several sessions this morning that went well. The Catio cat flap is now open for Stevie to go out, but I'll have to let him in still. Betty gets turns out there too, but after Stevie has had time first. She won't be shown the cat flap until I'm confident the can share the space peacefully.
@666k9s sounds positive!