As I was leaving the apartment today I turned to Stella and whined, "We're doing this for you, Stella. Believe me." The things we do for love.

Two weeks ago, we arranged, through Slope Street Cats, a "Trap, Neuter, Release" program in Brooklyn to visit a foster caregiver (for cats) to come and meet her Tabby that she had found in the street in August and who, two days later, gave birth to a litter of five. Now it's November and weaning is over; it's time to adopt Tabitha out. Sam and I visited Tabitha; very sweet, gentle and affectionate cat.

During our visit, two women from Slope Street Cats came by to help Tabitha's caregiver set up cat traps in her "colony" two blocks away, so they can have the 2 or 3 new cats that found the colony neutered and released. A remarkable group of dedicated and compassionate people.

If Tabitha's willing to run around some, we'll get her for Stella. Stella's in need of companionship; we can never give her the attention she needs. Especially when we're at work. "Yes," we tell the rescuer, "we'll take her." She handed us the 5-page adoption papers (for cats) which, among other information, requires us to give two contacts the rescuer can speak with about our relationship with Stella. The calls went successfully and we arranged a home visit. The rescuer came over. We chatted. She asked questions about the apartment and Stella. We gave her a tour, highlighting the 9-foot sissle cat tree, the litter box, the proposed sanctuary space for Tabitha. Very pleasant, very successful visit. By the time we discussed a possible transferral date and introduction procedure, we felt very proud about the world we created for our little Stella.

"We're doing this for you, Stella. Believe me." The words echo through time and space. Saturday on the way home from rehearsal, I stopped by the local pet stores to get bowls, Tabitha's favorite food ($2 a can), her favorite litter, a litterbox, a couple of toys just for her. Like that. All set up, trying to satisfy Stella's curiosity without getting her scent all over them. Not easy. Tabitha arrives. Lock Stella in the bedroom (no direct confrontation until much later on) and go and greet.

Tabitha came out of her carrier only a little cautiously and introduced herself to her food area and relief zone (as far apart as possible) as well as 1/2 of her new parents and sanctuary. Perhaps I should quickly review our approach to getting her settled in. It's detailed in Pam Johnson-Bennett's Cat Vs. Cat. Pam is an Animal Behaviorist and Author. The overall idea is to keep the cats separate and introduce them to each other one sense at a time.

1. Create a Sanctuary for the new cat, with food, scratching post, litter box, love. Check.

2. Take two socks, pet each cat with a separate sock and trade them so they can smell each other. Checkish.

3. Allow them to separately explore each other's spaces.

4. Put 1/8 teaspoon of soiled litter in each others' boxes.

5. Allow them to meet each other across a room, being sure to engage them in interactive play or eating in order to have them associate good feelings with being with each other.

6. When they can be casually monitored, allow them to live in the same space. At night or at work, keep them separate.

"We're doing this for you, Stella. Believe me. Believe me. Believe me. Lieve me. Lieve me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me."