Whiskers at a Distance

I’ve read over 30 books on cat behavior. They offer lots of advice—some of it similar, some of it completely contradictory. There are plenty of success stories, but very little discussion about the times things don’t work out quite the way you hoped.

Our situation is unusual. Totti and Wallace don’t have housecat behavior problems. They don’t jump on the counters, scratch the furniture, go outside the litter box, hide in closets, or eat people food. They aren’t aggressive, they don’t yowl, and they don’t bite or nip. In fact, they are the perfect housemates.

Instead, they spend their time making sure they are always at arm’s length. Every resting spot is carefully chosen—strategic, with a good view of the room (and its occupants) and more than one clear escape route. They are the untouchables.

We have made progress since November 2024, but I’m always searching for new ways to help our untouchables feel less on guard, more relaxed, and truly comfortable in their home.

There have been milestones along the way and steps in the right direction. More importantly, we are learning how to redefine what progress and success look like. I’ll be sharing some of those moments over the next few entries, and I hope others who live with “whiskers at a distance” will share their experiences too.

After all, they already have our home… and our hearts. We just want them to know—deep down—they are safe.