Four weeks ago today, The Cat Now Known as Kinikini was snatched from the cat colony at the top of Aiea Heights where he had been living. A few days later, on Easter Sunday, I picked him up from his caretaker and brought him back to his new home. He has adapted remarkably well. This week, he has officially become a cat of this house. He now is free to roam through the house, has cordial relations with Kali and Romeo, and we can leave the house without separating them.

Yesterday, he had dental surgery and had three teeth extracted. I thought it would take him a while to bounce back. But early this morning, he appears to be doing just fine.

Enjoy this brief moment with Kinikini (and Kali makes a brief appearance as watched from a safe distance).

“Taming” isn’t really the right word. We’re learning to live with Mr. Marbles, and vice versa. This is Mr. Marbles’ fifth day with us. He’s spent four days and nights in the same “safe” room where Kali lived for her first several weeks in our house.

We’re all learning. I learned that some caretakers at the Aiea Heights cat colony called him “Morris,” after the famous cat in 9Lives brand cat food ads. Then someone else said he reminded them of the marbles they played with as a kid. Hence “Mr. Marbles.”

We’ve stuck with Marbles so far, and several people have commented that they hope we don’t change it. Actually, I’m treating “Marble” and “Marbles,” with our without the “Mr.” title, as interchangeable names, for now at least.

Anyway, at this point, we’re not sure about the name, and would welcome your thoughts or alternative name suggestions.

We’ve learned that Marbles eats at night. He’ll stare at a dish of food all day, perhaps nibble a little at some point. But if I feed him a 7 p.m., he’ll snarf down a dish of canned food, and then clean out another dish of dry kibbles before dawn.

He’s also nervous during the day. He spends some time under the futon. Yesterday he emerged and settled on the top perch of the cat tree in that room, which gives views either out toward the front door or out the large window to the front yard. But he was still nervous, and cringed when I would approach. As soon as I started petting him, he started purring and relaxed, but not for long. He reacted to sounds and shadows from outside or elsewhere in the house. He didn’t really calm down until, once again, after dark.

But despite the rough edges, he’s doing really well. I think he’s almost ready to be introduced to the rest of the house. That involves putting Romeo and Kali into our bedroom, and then letting Marbles out to explore for a while. A few hours of free exploring becomes a prelude to the next step of letting the cats meet and greet each other. Slowly, though, not all at once. So it will still be a while.

Here’s another little video taken Wednesday evening. With your sound on, you’ll hear him purring.