In addition to our new grandson, Emerson, we have a new grandcat, Nelson. Nelson is a poorly-sighted and deaf Siamese stray who was picked up and brought to the shelter where our older daughter is a doctor. She fell in love with him, and so he's the latest addition to her menagerie.
Our daughter was afraid Nelson would be overwhelmed by the rest of the family, but so far that hasn't happened. Even though Nelson is toothless (his teeth were rotten so she removed all but five or so), and him being already declawed, apparently he's got a fierce right jab. Whenever any of his other step-sibs get in his personal bubble, he gives them a whap to the head. Nelson is not a weenie.
Nelson also doesn't put up with violations of his rights. Every time he is left alone -- whether for an actual long time, or any time that Nelson deems has been too long -- he yells. MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Local opinion is that if Nelson weren't deaf, he would have such a raucous miaow. Even for a Siamese, Nelson is loud and raspy.
To shut off the MAAAAAHing, those who neglected Nelson (and anyone else in the room) must pick him up and cuddle him.

One family member who would love to cuddle Nelson is Rocco, 2nd eldest of the brood. Rocco loves kittehs and hopes someday to have a litter of kittehs of his own. He has fostered litters, but they always seem to go away. Rocco wants his own kittehs.
The kittehs aren't so sure about him.
Nelson has since popped Rocco in the head, for which Rocco apologized deeply because he's a good dog.
See?
Rocco's a good boy.
Well, most of the time Rocco's a good boy. He also knows how to say NO! to the rest of his family, other than Mama, of course.
Ashes is a good boy, too, but here he overstepped the boundaries because he got to wear Mama's hat, and Rocco didn't.
Rocco says Rocco should wear Mama's hat!
Poor Ashes.

Zina Bear, the oldest of the family (other than Mama), says that Zina Bears don't wear hats. Ever.
Meanwhile, Nelson was keeping an eye on Stormie, the Secret Agent Man who wears a bow tie. Stormie loves Nelson, but Nelson's still not sure of Stormie's motives. Is it love, or is it ... something else?
During the hat exchange, Stormie made it to the back room food dish (instead of the kitchen food dish) by stealth and strength of will. The back room dish has Nelson food in it instead of Stormie and Bernie food. (Bernie wouldn't hold still for a photo) Nelson food (indistinguishable from Stormie and Bernie food by humans) is superior.
All in all, it was a full day, but everyone did fine. Nelson is settling in, and taking control.
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