One unusual side benefit of the cherubs' visit is that Mittens has become more assertive. It's as though seeing them put him back in control of his life, harking back to the days when he would ambush Maggie.

At any rate on Sunday night, he cautiously crept into the bedroom where I lounged with Melody watching TV. She was already asleep; I pointed her out to Mittens so he wouldn't startle upon locating her. He jumped onto the bed, under the covers and purred up a storm. Monday night, same thing. He waited until she was asleep, then snuck in and got under the covers with me.

Maybe he's not totally as brave as he could be, but I'm seeing evidence that he's regaining his footing in the household hierarchy. Tufts of Melody's hair adorned the bedroom floor last night. I suspect she put up a tussle when he came in and she was awake. But he kept at it and this morning, herded her into a corner so that he could accompany me to the bathroom and drink out of the faucet. Just like the good old days. :)