Last night, after hauling a few more loads of boxes, we transferred over all the kitty gear, and then the cats themselves. They did not take the initial transfer well.
After the two-minute drive, during which we were treated to a performance by the Pathetic Cat Duet, we put their carriers in the laundry room off the kitchen, which is where their litter box is (in one corner), and also their food (in the opposite corner). After a few hours of yowling and cowering (first in the carriers, then in the laundry room -- Otis wedged himself up against the water heater), they each emerged in turn and explored the rest of the house. They did so timidly, but at least they rustled up the courage to leave their initial point of entry to this strange new world.
Suzie soon figured out where we were (and by extension, where the futon was), and settled in for the night. Otis stood guard just outside the bedroom door, occasionally wandering off to explore another part of the house before checking back in with home base. There was still a bit of whining and howling after the lights went out, but things were mostly quiet until about 6:30 this morning, when Suzie apparently realized that she was still in this very strange place. Alarm clock? Who needs an alarm clock?
Otis, meanwhile, discovered the shelves in the closet about four feet off the floor. That's where we found him this morning, behind a moving box. Getting up high and hiding behind things is his usual M.O. during a move, so that was reassuring in a weird sort of way. When construction on the alleyway outside started up again this morning, Suzie also found a place to hide, under the lip of the bedclothes on the futon.
It was nice to stand out on the porch this morning and take in the neighborhood activity -- kids walking to school, traffic to the hospital going way too fast down the brick-laid street in front of our house, construction workers flattening the alley with large steam rollers. Yes, there may still be two doors that open onto the porch, but at least I know exactly who will come out of them. Early morning feline wake-up call aside, it was a good first night in our new home.
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