Just as a data point–I have a sweet Singapura boy who loves everybody, but he’s hated every kitten we’ve brought home…for a short time. But it didn’t take him long at all to warm up to them, and now they’re all the best of friends. So maybe it’ll just take a little time. Also, if Banshee is an older kitty she might still be stressed from her recent ordeal–older kitties sometimes take longer to calm down, and stress can make them grouchy with change.
And if they never warm up to the kittens, it’s not unlivable. Mystery has hated Tikva since I brought home the four-month-old kitten… about, what, six years ago? Anyway, they live mostly in separate parts of the house and pretty much manage to keep out of each other’s ways. There’s some seriously evil glaring when they see each other across their DMZ, and angry hissing and chasing on the rare occasion that they walk into each other. But for the most part they manage to ignore each other.
I know what you mean. Banshee may never warm up to the new arrivals. She’s like that. She never liked Patches, and just before the tornado that caused all of this, Patches had actually begun to assert herself to Banshee by not backing down in their “hiss fits”.
Banshee and Jet Jaguar have moved with us many times. Banshee is 15 or so years old. She’s been to Europe twice since we got her and she was a tiny kitten when she arrived. Jet was there for the second move, but he did get lost in Oberammergau and the experience, I think, made him realize how fortunate he was to be adopted. Jet is about 10 now, but I think once the kittens are old and big enough to play with him, he’ll warm up fast. He is my main man, because he has a heart and you can tell when petting him. I think he’s just not used to seeing cats so much smaller than he is (his head is bigger than they are) Banshee thinks I’m her mom. I smothered her when she was teeny kitten and now she lubs me too much.
But she’ll tolerate the others as long as she’s the one that curls up in my lap at night and they leave her be. I just wish she’d be a mama for these wee ones now.
JR I hope you find Patches. Don’t give up hope!
And I think you’ve accrued an awesome amount of good karma by allowing the two wee feline overlords a place to stay. I like the little grey one in particular; I have a soft spot for grey cats.
I gladly vote for ‘Pepper’. It is a glorious legacy. 
If not Pepper, and if Domino is too masculine, how about Dominique?
My family seems to acquire black and white cats. Over the years we’ve had Bree, Elly, Boris, Oreo and Zoro.
Jolly Roger
Many kudos to you for the rescue of two adorable kits. I totally agree with your sentiments…you just can’t not help if it’s within your power. Thanks for caring, from all the life forms you encounter.
Typically it takes a cat 14-30 days to ‘imprint’ new surroundings, so I would be surprised if Patches finds her way back to the rental. I would suggest setting a trap/putting out signs/talking to anyone left in the area where your home formerly was. That would be where she would be most likely to try to get to. You might also contact any pounds or rescue orgs and any one helping with disaster relief there. I know here we have a division in the emergency response network to deal with the displaced/injured animals in a disaster. Working both locations can’t hurt. My prayers and good thought go to you and her.
And…I’m so very sorry for all of your losses in the storms. May the recovery be quick and easy!
cheers
Sounds perfectly natural, to me. What better way to recover from disaster, than by helping those who need it even more?
Oh, and squee at the kittens.
just wondering how the last couple of months have been treating you. how are the kittens? any sign of patches?
Rocking chair - bless you for asking! I was just thinking about these little darlings this weekend, and my heart leapt when I saw this thread again. I hope there is good news!
Missed the edit window - I’ve been through the horror and frustration of the aftermath of natural disaster - Hurricane Georges, 1998 - and I know how distracting it can be. I’m hoping for good news about you, the sweet babies and Patches.
Late to the party but my friend had a black and white named “Oreo”. I thought it was a cute name.