Well, this has been the easiest integration of new beasts we have ever had. We were prepared to have issues with Maggie, the cat Freya rescued July 4, 2004, since she is fairly antisocial and quite the hunter. For the record, Satin angoras are the size of an average cat and aren’t in any real danger from them. Maggie is a smaller than average cat and is rather smaller than any of these buns. However, she has appointed herself Bunny-nanny and now spends most of her day on the dryer watching them. I heard a commotion and ran to the kitchen door, just in time to see Rob scooting up the stairs with Maggie in hot pursuit. I guess I left the laundry room door open and he sneaked down to peek at them.

Rob is three and a half now, and has fully developed prey drive so he is mostly seeing them in laps or in their pen and never without supervision. Ivy was in my lap in the family room and Rob came over to sniff her. He approached in dog- polite “curve” formation, not looking at her and she allowed him to sniff and then she turned to sniff him back. I told him, “good boy, that’s enough,” and he left the room. He was back shortly after carrying a small toy duck, which he gently set next to her.

Stay tuned for part III: guess what followed us home from Wool in the Woods!