Does life ever go as planned? Welcome aboard, furchildren!
He’s not too scared to eat. He’s not too scared to sometimes come out in the open, as long as he knows he’s got hiding places he can retreat to. And he’s not scared of Sammy; and clearly takes some comfort from his presence.
He may always be a timid cat. But I’m pretty sure he’ll get less frightened over time. It’s only been a couple of days.
Yes, thanks, you’re right, and that’s a good reminder. Meanwhile, here’s this morning’s report, as posted on Facebook (no new photos – yet):
This morning: B&S were both in one cat cave.
Sammy came out right away with a tiny hiss, then followed me into the bathroom/kitchen, curling around my legs while I fixed breakfast, also happily responded to head/jowl skritches and back strokes. I’m still being careful not to pet him too much in case he decides it’s too much.
Barnaby darted out when I was coming out of the bathroom with the food bowls, slunk a few feet away, and watched warily as I put down the two dishes on opposite sides of the central rug under the candle stand.
I walked wide around the room to get to the stairs as far as possible from Barnaby, and paused in the doorway to watch. Sammy had dived right into his breakfast. Barnaby eyed me warily for a minute or two, then slunk over to his bowl and started gobbling.
I’m glad I took Sammy as well when I’d intended to adopt only Barnaby, and not just because he’s going to be a lovebug. Poor Barnaby would have been a lot worse off emotionally if he didn’t have Sammy for comfort.
Congrats on your new boys.
My new cat, Milo, was dumped at a trailer park and I picked him up from the rescuer when I was driving a rescue dog transport. From the start he’s been a total lovebug with me. I’ve had him in one half of the house, away from the 5 dogs, letting him get used to them. I prop the door open just wide enough for him, but the dogs can’t get through and can’t close it. Slowly he’s been coming out and interacting with the dogs. He’s fascinated by wagging tails and tries to catch them. He’s been wary of my doberman, and I’m not pushing it. If he feels unsafe, he can take it slowly. Just yesterday, after 6 months, he crept into my bedroom. He didn’t stay long, but he felt safe enough to come into a room full of dogs.
StG
Wow, a rescue cat braving a houseful of dogs? Impressive!
Morning B&S update: Sammy was waiting in the doorway and didn’t even tiny-hiss as I came up to the third floor. He actually purred and did the excited-cat weave, dart away, return and weave, all the way to the kitchenette. He was eager for skritches and backstrokes but I gave him brief amounts, figuring he was already so excited about BEING FED!!! that he could easily get too stimulated and chomp.
Last night at the bedtime feeding he was also like this, and I believe he’s decided I’m all right, mate. I sat in my chair, reading, for an hour plus after I fed them, and mostly he catloafed by the candle stand after eating, but did approach me off and on for a bit of attention, though never jumped up to my lap. He’s a solid chonk and my biggest problem with him will likely be preventing him from turning into a butterball.
As to Barnaby, last night when I fed – now serving the dishes on a tray in the reading room, in front of a bookcase across from my chair – he kept his distance as usual but went with less hesitation to join Sammy, with less slink, as I headed for the stairs. This morning Barnaby actually came within a couple of feet as I was putting the tray down! Still watching me warily, of course, but it seemed less intense.
The two of them will eat from the same dish, taking turns shoving their head in.
And so it goes. Well enough, well enough.
This is wonderful. 
That’s quite a lot of progress!
Yup. Going very well indeed.