Walked down to the kitchen for another cup of tea
and peeked into the living room while the water heated.
Cheeky was on the back of the couch, where I noticed her about an hour ago,
dozing. Buddha was just below her on the seat of the couch, wide awake and
looking at me.

Why is this special? Because they have lived in the same house (albeit
largely on different floors) since fall of 2001 and this is the first time I
have seen them lie on the couch--or anywhere--together. I did notice that
just after I stepped on Boo's toes while getting their breakfast ready this
morning, they sniffed noses. Normally what happens is Cheeks tries to sniff
Buddha, who wheels and slaps!

Buddha was seven years old when I brought Cheeks home from the shelter.
Since the house has three floors they each had their separate territory and
we never had to confine anyone. Over time there were little growly
skirmishes, but no real problems until one of us would carry one of them
into the other's territory. So we just left them alone. After more time
passed we would wonder where they were and walk in the kitchen on the middle
level and find them both there. Every morning they stand there and wait for
food. But they have never just hung out together until today. (There was one
time when Buddha began invading Cheeky's turf to be close to me--and started
lying on Cheeky's favorite bed. I felt bad for Cheeks and put her on the bed
next to Boo. This is the time I took their photo together on the bed. She
stayed but began licking her fur off and within a couple of weeks she was
bald on one side! So I encouraged Boo to go back to her own territory by
spending more time with her there. )

Maybe the episode last week in which it appears they chased and killed a
mouse together helped them bond!
I don't know, but I'm just so happy my beloved girls are becoming friends. I
wanted to share this--and the message that patience and gentleness works
wonders in cat introductions.