Is your cat a hidey cat or does she love having visitors? Is she used to the vacuum cleaner and the mop, or does she still skitter away when they come out? Will she snuggle in your lap when you want her to, or do you have to wait until she feels like it?
Most cats seem to come with a particular 
comfort level. I’ve had cats that were so accommodating, you’d think they were puppies—“Whatever you want, Mommy. I’m putty in your hands.” But those cats (for me) were few and far between. Maybe they were actually puppies.
Especially when you rescue rather than adopt, your cat may arrive with a can of worms—a purrsonality that keeps you guessing. Many of those cats become what I call oxymorons. They can be as skittish as a wild rabbit or fox or… And they can be as affectionate and loving and relaxed as a big old friendly dog. At any rate, they are fascinating creatures.
Our calico, Olivia, who was rescued from the streets 
during 2020, is such an oxymoron. But I like to think of her as a loving companion in progress. Even her face illustrates her split purrsonality. She is aloof and remote—even snooty at times and just wants to be left alone. Then she has her extreme opposite side. In fact, at the moment that I’m writing this, she’s curled up and purring in my lap. Loving it!!!!
I’ve noticed lately that when something frightens her, she runs and hides. When the danger is over, however, 
she comes to me seemingly for comfort. It doesn’t take long for her to regain her confidence until something frightens her again. I notice that when there’s a leaf blower or a chipper or hammering in our neighborhood, Olivia will look at me, seemingly for my response to it. I croon to her and this seems to settle her down some. Oh, she’s still on alert in case she has 
to do battle with the noisy intruder, but she will stay out in the open, usually wherever I am—maybe she thinks she’s protecting me.
I’ve learned that each cat has a different comfort level and that it can change over time. It’s up to us to provide the space they need to feel safe and to let them have their space, but to be there when they need our input and support. It’s a
big job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Note: She did not do well with the fireworks over the weekend, but we could get her to settle down a bit as long as I sat quietly with her and talked to her. No one got much sleep, and I know this scenario was replicated throughout our neighborhood, community, county, state and beyond. Along with Halloween, July fourth is definitely my least favorite holiday—and Olivia’s.
