Today marks the end of Week #7 in the adventures of The-Cat-Now-Known-As-Kali.

This week’s progress has been more muted, quieter, painted in pastels rather than bold colors.

Here are two examples.

Early this week, I sat on the futon in Kali’s safe room several times, Kali on one side and Romeo on the other, and parceled out Greenie cat treats to each in turn. One for Kali. One for Romeo. Repeat. Dragging it out, letting them experience being in proximity without warfare or the expectation of conflict. Earlier attempts had failed after the treats were finished. On this day, though, both cats held their places as I stood up and left the room. And when I returned to take a few photos, all was peaceful.

I do have to say that Romeo has been a prince, never responding aggressively even when provoked by the feisty newcomer. Finally Kali seems to be understanding. Or maybe it’s just she is now believing what he’s been signaling.

Then yesterday, Wednesday afternoon, I was just a second too late to get THE photo. But I can decribe the scene that preceded the “moment after” photo.

Romeo was sitting quietlly in the living room. I think he had just gotten a little snack. We could hear Kali playing out in the hall, or maybe killing the catnip toy in her safe room. Then with the drumbeat of soft paws on the floor of vertical grain fir, she burst into the living room and trotted straight toward Romeo. Many of these interactions had ended with Romeo taking a paw to the face, but this time proved to be different.

As Kali ran up to him, Romeo lowered his head, looking down. I’m pretty sure he was presenting his head to be licked. It’s part of a complicated status ritual that cats go through, and in years past Romeo and our other cats would do the same thing. Which cat will lick which cat’s head? Sometimes one would present their head, but instead have to lick the other. I’m not exactly sure of the protocol.

In any case, this time Kali didn’t accept the invitation to lick him, but neither did she try to hit him. Instead, she walked right up and smelled him, exploring his downturned head. Then she back up a step and I feared the nice little moment was going end with another whack of her paw. Instead, she just leaned down and now sniffed Romeo’s front paws. And then, as I fumbled to get a photo, she turned and scooted away. Hence my “moment after” photo.

In any case, Week #7 seems to have ended with a new level of comfort on the part of both Romeo and Kali. It’s almost over, I think. Kind of like the presidential election vote count.

And then, just a few minutes ago, I was greeted with this unexpected and unposed scene.

Yes, this really is progress.