I've been blogging for just over a year...in fact I missed the date! And that means we've also had Ava for one year.
She is an absolute delight, a sweet girl totally motivated by relationships. We saw it first in her delight at cuddling my neck and face and when she insisted on marching up to Kato and giving him a nose kiss. And it has stayed with her. She will lick anyone she regards as friend or family and I always feel privileged by that little face coming to lick my forehead. She can't bear to be left behind if we go out walking- even if it's too cold for her, she still has to come ( and happily sits inside our jackets!). And she never takes offence at Kato if he hisses or bops her, always being ready to smooch back in, to re establish the love with a lick or a nose kiss, tail carried high in friendship. Our neighbours are smitten by this little 'angel', and Kato loves her completely (even if he sometimes wants his space!)
Kato is our wilful character, who always has a plan (with Ava following behind). He is the cat who takes much wisdom to guide. His incredible intelligence amazes us, and his protective territoriality. He will be the first to investigate any bump in the night. The first to ward off 'intruders'. The first to form a never wavering opinion about other cats and people - one of our poor neighbours will always get hissed at as he trots by her, or if she says hello! And he is an instant presence if he hears Ava cry - he zoomed straight at the big orange cat who popped over a fence and started to stalk toward Ava (unfortunately, I forgot the water spray bottle, so ended up stopping any fight by becoming a scary noisy monster, with three cats streaking down the lane in front of a running me, until Ava reached the safety of our garage - Kato came further with me to shoo that cat well off the property!).
Despite his restless energy, Kato also has a very sweet side. He is the one, being older and wiser, who knows when his humans are sick, and will plunk himself down, leaning into our side, to stay until we are better. He even stayed by me when a doctor made a housecall, vetting the doctor and his bag and instruments, instead of retreating to first observe the stranger.
Both Ava and Kato have our hearts, and, I think, each other's!