Bella, my Bengal who came to live with me on June 1 at a year old, has always been what I'd call "not conventionally affectionate." She doesn't cuddle, doesn't like petting very much, tolerates being picked up but that's about it. However, it was clear to me that she loved me. She was often near me - at my left arm at breakfast, at the foot of the foot of our bed at night. I got Jamie, a little gray and white rescue cat, the same day as Bella. I kept them separated for a week, then put up bars so they could sniff each other and get acquainted face to face. Then I released them in each other's company. They have become playmates, Jamie equaling if not surpassing Bella in athletic feats. But they as often swat each other. No more hissing or growling. Jamie has been quite attached to me, coming in to sleep on the foot of the bed (she started off skittish and un-cuddly but is growing much more relaxed now, actually cuddling into my husband's side while he watches TV.) Meanwhile, Bella has grown almost completely distant. She doesn't come to greet me at the door as she used to. She no longer sleeps at the foot of the bed (I have photographs of her nestling between my calves; that was when our bedroom was Bella's safe room, there was no Jamie, and that was four months ago. Does she feel Jamie's intrusion into what used to he her territory, and my acceptance of it, is a betrayal? A robbery of her territory?) She doesn't lie much beside my arm while I read the paper at the kitchen table. I play with her some, but Jamie's the one she chases and plays with during the day. -- What's up? Is Bella bonded with Jamie? Jealous of her? Both? Or what?
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