Update on the little ones:

As you can see, we have graduated to removing the second pen barrier that was keeping Joy and Cosmo (aka Blizzy) unable to have direct contact.

If you remember, I had to devise a way to separate the two of them enough so they couldn’t touch each other, since Joy was very aggressive at first charging at the pen, biting, and grunting. So, I put a second pen around it, which enabled them to see and smell each other, but did not allow direct contact.

This has been for two weeks, but I removed the second barrier Sunday night and I’m happy to report, all is well!

Joy over time has become balanced and more relaxed, so I figured it was time to test things out officially. And I couldn’t be more proud of her. She remains calm and merely sniffs, as they touch noses. Although she has heightened senses of alertness at times, there is no grunting, charging, biting, or any signs of aggressive behavior.

Right now they are both sleeping as I write this, with Joy right up against the pen, much like in this photo, and Cosmo where you see him in the photo, but fast asleep.

It’s wonderful to see them right up next to each other in peace throughout the day without any issues.

Knowing all that I do about Joy and her sensitivities, as well as her fears, this is SO amazing and courageous of her.

Yes, I’m a happy mom and I’m feeling good about the next steps to come, which include some neutral zone bonding, face to face.

Btw, Cosmo is doing really well. He just had a check up today and he’s maintaining his weight, which is great, some muscle improvement was evident in his legs, the sharp points on his teeth are gone (which was due to the wrong diet he had previous to coming to me), we had all the mottled, matted, knotted hair on his side and rump shaved to start fresh (it had gotten this way from not being tended to with regular cleaning and keeping him dry and sanitary, previous to coming to me), we have some new leg therapy extension exercises to implement, we are decreasing his meds, and he will begin acupuncture next week!

YAY!!