When I was just two years old my baby sister arrived. My mother beamed at me about how lucky I was to have a new baby sister and I immediately went over to the cradle, peered in and poked my new baby sister in her eye. We’ve had a lifelong adversarial relationship since.

I won’t say I was jealous exactly, it’s just that I liked the routine that had become my young life and I didn’t appreciate having the routine upset. I might have been only two years old but I have always been very cat like.

There is a protocol to be followed when introducing cats lest someone wind up with stitches, or at least a paw, eh poke, in the eye.  First, be prepared for a little poking, hissing, spitting and swatting. Territory needs to be defined. As long as there is no blood just stand back. Second, never yell or reprimand the poker for poking the pokee. Positive reinforcement goes a long way towards diffusing testiness.

There’s a new cat in the cradle at my house and while there’s been no paw poke to the eye there has been a good amount of growling and warning. Tempted as I am to referee experience has taught me better. I’ve been here before and know to keep a distance as much as a watchful eye.

Over the coming days, exhaustion will lead to acceptance and to amnesty and eventually affection. Cats...how different they are from sisters.