04/23/2026
Update on Dude! ( now Jasper)
It's been a busy and good week here. It took us a few days to decide on a name for this guy, and we finally settled on Jasper. He and our dog Orion have been getting to know each other slowly, and are now peacefully coexisting in the house together (though spending nights in separate rooms for the time being). As with our previous cat Freya, Orion mostly doesn't know what to do with the curious attention that Jasper sometimes gives him. We found a 5ft tall cat gate and gave Jasper progressively more space in the house each day this past week. Whether behind the gate or any time he hears us through a door he hasn't earned access to, he meows and whimpers if left alone - even if Orion gets up and leaves from where Jasper can see him! Like at the shelter, he greets us with chirps and mews and lots of head bumps and purring. He also regularly touches his nose to our faces, unlike any cat either of us have ever had.
Jasper spends the night on the foot of the bed with us, and follows us around the house throughout the day. We've gotten to know his tells and are learning more about his nipping/biting behavior. There have been a few ouch moments with the hands, but nothing bad, and we're figuring out which high-value treats and responses will help us the most. It's been consistently when he is playful, overstimulated or when it's been one too many pets, but he is pretty predictable. We're working on affection in small doses and connecting it with food time. He loves his kibble!
It is so wonderful to have a cat presence around the house. We're pretty sure that at some point Jasper will want another cat buddy, as he seems fond of sharing a space with others. He takes his chill time on the bed in the early afternoon but otherwise is always looking to be around one of us or the dog. We'll be back in touch with more updates over the coming weeks, and would love to stay in touch. We hope that many other kitties from the shelter have been chosen and are settling into their forever homes. Thank you so much for all you do and for taking the time with us over the past couple of weeks.
