Shy Angel

Angel on the round rug, waiting for hugs

She watches

Angel has lived with us for over eleven years, and she still stays at arm's length most of the time.  Neither she nor Chuck, her litter mate, are lap cats, but Chuck will come toward us while Angel prefers to stay on the edge of things.  She is a typical Gamma cat-type, as characterized by Pamela Merritt at The Way Of Cats.  Pammy has classified Alpha, Beta and Gamma cat types.  Angel's Gamma-ness tends to keep her wary of excitement, preferring for quiet, one-on-one lovin' when she initiates it.

Which is why, before the alarm is due to ring, Angel will start a quiet meowing, as she calls to us for love and reassurance.  After years of trying many things to get her to be quiet in the mornings, The Hubby and I have learned (more like, have been trained!) to simply join her on the round area rug, and give her quiet petting time.  When she has a human to herself, in the gentle morning, Angel is like a rose at full-bloom.  She is adorable, beautiful, loving and gives of herself.  Those are precious moments for us.  Angel, our shy wall-flower!

P.S. I'm telling you, go to visit The Way Of Cats to learn a TON of cat stuff!  Patty O'Malley is most definitely an Alpha: staying involved in everything, demanding attention.  Chuck and Sweetie fall into the Beta type: curious and communicative.