Filo

The usual Saturday evening gathering, Eleanor very sociable. Zeppo ran through, his curiosity got the better of his skittishness momentarily. I have confidence he will gradually join her in walking all over the friends too.

He patted Dylan's face this morning, for food or affection, maybe both. He came to me later for head rubs. He reaches out a paw to pull my hand into this face and chest to get scritched. When he starts getting too excited and the back paws come up or he nibbles at my hand, I gently stop and pull away. It's not meant to injure, more play. He's already better about letting go.

"Oh. Yeah, sorry 'bout that." He stops, rubs his face on my knuckles, all is well. He notches his chin over my wrist, and rests. He's a very smart cat. With a serpentine tail. Very squirmy, on high alert, ready to bolt always. Each day, a little more at ease, with us, with food, with Eleanor. He clearly wants affection, but needs to feel safe.

We must be reliable. Thin layers of experience. Decoupaged trust. Filo dough.