Life In A Post-Toto World...

Following the passing of Toto, we have noticed changes in the behavior of both Daisy and Chris. Before Chris' arrival, Daisy would come upstairs and call to us in the middle of the night. After Chris entering the scene, Chris did not allow Daisy upstairs, but, Toto was allowed to come and go from the upstairs as he pleased. Now that Toto is no longer with us, Daisy has resumed coming upstairs and calling to us in the middle of the night. Of course, when Daisy wants to go back downstairs in the morning, Chris can usually be found blocking Daisy's path.

Chris and Toto had an interesting relationship. Chris would follow Toto around like a lost puppy, because where Toto went, food was sure to follow. But, on those occasions where food didn't follow, Chris would get mad at Toto. Toto could usually see trouble coming and was not inclined to be overly aggressive, so, he would usually give Chris a bit of space. Naturally, there were rare instances when Chris would cross some sort of line with Toto and he would have to put his paw down and lay down the law. Eventually, Chris learned not to push Toto too hard.

Now that Toto is gone, Chris seems to be missing having Toto around. We've noticed that Chris is upstairs more often and now she too has been found calling to us in the middle of the night. Chris is not as food-motivated as Toto, and without Toto to lead the way, Chris seems to be missing out on special feeding opportunities. Chris doesn't know that when a ham sandwich is being made that a well-timed entrance might lead to a piece of ham. Chris also doesn't know the sound of cans being opened, and that occasionally, cans of tuna get opened.

More importantly, Chris seems to have taken possession of Toto's former territory. Chris used to occupy the kitty condo in the back on the living room. Now Chris occupies the kitty condo in the front of the living room. Chris and Daisy seem equally at home under the Christmas tree. Now that the nights are getting colder, Daisy, of course, hangs out either near the heat register or on the sofa next to the heat register.

In the morning, Toto used to be waiting for me upstairs to say hello. And, if I left my door open, Toto would be so happy to be in my room, that he would drool and shake his tail. Daisy might come upstairs occasionally, but, she doesn't really care if I leave my door open for her. Daisy might come in and knock things over or she might jump on the bed, but, she doesn't care. Chris is even less interested when I get up in the morning. She is, however, much more concerned about Daisy coming upstairs than me getting up in the morning.

On the day before Toto died, he made one last valiant effort to be upstairs to say hello to me one last time when I got up in the morning. The latest set of pictures show Chris in the upstairs hallway, Chris on the sofa, Chris under the Christmas tree, Daisy in front of the heat register, Daisy on another sofa and, of course, the Christmas tree.

Since Toto left, Daisy and Chris have had discussions about Toto's former territory. Chris has moved into the kitty condo in the front of the living room. Daisy tried to block Chris one day, by sitting on the end table next to Chris' kitty condo. So, Chris did what any self-respecting kitty would do, she jumped over Daisy and a table lamp and landed perfectly on top of the kitty condo. Daisy hissed and grumbled, but, she knew she had been outmaneuvered.

Recently, Chris was observed on the sofa in the front of the living room. Traditionally, this was Daisy's cherished spot where she would sun herself in the morning. Apparently, the Christmas tree was not an object of much concern while Toto was still alive, but, now the Toto has passed, the Christmas tree has become an the latest bone of contention.