The ultimate lap cat: Jackson Tiger Pepe LePew Drummer Boy, Part Three

With Tyler and Tiger, as I've previously written about, I was spoiled.  Tyler never hid, not once, and immediately made himself at home.  Tiger only needed until the evening of his debut day to decide he was happy in my home.

Not Jackson.

Jackson needed two months.

That seems to be the "standard" time it takes a cat to get adjusted to a new home.

"Oh, just give it two or three months" countless cat people have said throughout time.

Jackson took his time alright.

That is not to say he hid for 60 days and then just emerged with his usual "HELLO???"  No.  At first Jackson spent most of his time in one window or another.  The window behind the bed, the window in the living room.  He seemed happiest sitting in the window watching the world go by and I let him do his thing.  Little by little, however, he would venture further and further into the apartment, check things out, look at me, and then run back to the bedroom or a window where he felt safest.  He didn't want to have much to do with me at first either.  Other than some sniffs, or a quick pet on the head or a rub along my legs, he still hadn't decided if he wanted to stay or what to make of me.

I knew eventually he would come around.

Tyler didn't seem to mind him, or even notice the fact that he was more than half his age and twice his size.  Even at his advanced age he was fearless.  While Tyler never got as close to Jackson as he did with Tiger, for the most part they got along and Tyler accepted him.  If anything Tyler seemed pretty indifferent to Jackson. I'm convinced he never got over Tiger's death, and perhaps was even annoyed with the fact that I adopted another cat so soon.

Tyler didn't even have to do the "smack upside the head" introduction he felt necessary to do with Tiger when they first met.  From the get-go Jackson just seemed to know that Tyler was boss, and Jackson never challenged that authority.

That was Tyler.  One look and Jackson just knew.

I would even catch them once or twice sharing the same window-sill, or sharing my bed to catch a nap during the day.  Occasionally they would even play, but not too often.  Tyler would more watch as I played with my new large cat from afar, an observer rather than a participant.

As January wore on, Jackson had finally taken to sleeping in one of his large round cat beds out in the open that I set up for him in a corner of my bedroom on top of a blanket chest.  His HELLO meows had gotten more friendly, and little by little he even started to seem pleased to see me.  He was settling in, relaxing, and starting to make himself at home.  His favorite activity was wriggling on his back on the floor, all the while shouting "HELLO??" meows at me.  It was cute.  I was also glad I didn't have any neighbors below me.  He's a big cat after all.

The major breakthrough, what I had been waiting two months for,  finally came one late January weekday evening.  As had become routine, Jackson settled into his round bed for the night and I in my human bed.  I was watching TV and/or checking Facebook on my iPhone when suddenly....

THUMP!!!

Jackson jumped on the bed, stared at me, stretched himself out on my legs, and promptly fell asleep.

Just like that.  

With that small gesture, Jackson had decided he wanted to stay and maybe I wasn't so bad after all.

WHEW!

Since then, Jackson and I have been inseparable.  If I sit, he sleeps on my lap, or on my legs.  Usually that means I pass out as well.  If I am on the computer, he sits at the desk or curls up on my chest. Jackson even DEMANDS that I sit in my favorite chair so he can jump up and curl up on me.  Every night he sleeps in the bed with me, curled up, keeping me warm.  He's a big, warm, lazy boy and I love him to pieces.  He is my zen, he is my peace, he never leaves my side.  Jackson does not ask for much, just a window to sit in, a bowl of food, and my lap to sleep on.  

Without a doubt he was worth the patience that I gave him during those first 2 months. 

He is the ultimate lap cat.