Ruban did great – he was a big hit at the airport – the immigrations agent that checked him and his papers out welcomed him as a US citizen and told him he hoped he enjoyed his new home. We took him out of the carrier at the gate and he took turns sleeping on our chests and watching all the activity until we were ready to board. Everyone wanted to pet him and give him attention. My niece and sister wanted to just run away with him while I was in the bathroom! The first class seat next to me was empty, so once we were in the air, I put the carrier up on the seat so he could look around – we (the flight attendant and I) were opening the top and putting a hand in to pet him for most of the flight. .
So the introduction to my girls was not as gradual as I might have hoped – I was very anxious to get him out of the carrier and cleaned up properly and get him some real food as he’d now been in there for over 14 hours with nothing but some treats and water. So I put the carrier down and hugged my oldest and he meowed and she glared at the carrier and hissed. Thus began the hissing/growling contest. She hisses, he growls……My 12 year old (Abby), is just kind of afraid – like “what is this creature and where did he come from? I think I’ll just hide in this corner a bit longer”. By now it was almost 1 am and I was exhausted, so I set up an extra litter box and food/water bowls in my bedroom and took him in there with me. He really likes the down comforter – it’s big and fluffy and there are all kinds of things that could be hiding over that ripple – he stalked and pounced most of the night – although it only bothered me when it was my toes!!! I forgot what fun it was to have a kitten in the bed!! LOL!

This morning, we came out and he spent a good amount of time walking around and scoping things out – he’s got a very loud meow and used it very frequently – I think he was scared – if I held him, he would stop meowing. He’s taken a few naps in my lap and he loves the kitty condo – playing with the balls on the elastic string and the rope swing (just like the Jolly Pirates!) and he took a nap on the tallest perch. He and Chloe are doing better – they’re looking at each other and not hissing/growling and I think we’re OK, but then they hiss and growl!! She was not coming to me at all – so I was in a panic like “my god, my baby hates me”! But she’s now coming out and letting me pick her back up and checking out his scent everywhere he’s been. I left them to take a little nap (those 4 AM toe pounces caught up with me!) and when I got up, my 2 older girls were curled up on their usual perches in the condo and he was sleeping in the chair. There has not been any chasing or aggressiveness – when Chloe hisses she then runs away – and he is not going after her at all – just sitting and growling deep in his throat. So I’m hopeful that they’ll adjust over the next few days.

– update —
We’re seeing some rays of sunshine here between the girls and Ruban – last night we started nose touching (which ended with hissing!) – but this morning he and Chloe actually touched noses with no hissing – they just touched and walked away – so I think we’re starting to make some progress.

I see what you mean about him playing with anything – he is quite the character! He’s had me laughing with how ingenious he can be – a piece of paper, a dust bunny, a pencil, the label on the throw rug……who needs cat toys?? LOL!

In the meanwhile, he is exploring every and anything – in fact, he’s been “helping” me type this email! LOL! Now he’s playing with the pencil on top of the desk, which is providing a great deal of entertainment! But he is eating and sleeping and grooming and he is not meowing as much, so I think he is starting to feel more comfortable with his surroundings. And he is certainly playing with everything (including dust bunnies! LOL!). And the 120 gallon saltwater aquarium is a great hit! He sits on the table next to it and “catches” the fish!