I really hope I don’t end up regretting this but this afternoon I decided to take Luna out of quarantine. I’ve had a couple more chats with vet Yolanda and she says this kind of situation is always fraught with “what ifs”. The only totally secure thing I could do is wait awhile and get a specialised blood test done that is only for feline leukimia, but then what would I do if Luna tested positive? When I told Yolanda I really couldn’t see myself giving her up at this point she said that Loki’s vaccination should keep him fairly well protected and that – frankly – even if Azar did contract the leukemia now he would probably end up dying of something else before it developed into anything life-threatening. And so about an hour ago I brought Luna out and let her wander around with the boys…

I’ve actually been bringing her out all week and having her sit on my lap while watching tv or working at my desk. She is very content in my lap and will happily stay there for ages, purring way. So Azar and Loki have got used to the idea that there is a gatita around. Azar is only mildly interested but Loki is completely smitten. At first Luna would do the cutest hissy-spitty-growly thing – hilariously “ferocious” in one so tiny – but she soon got used to the guys and no longer feels threatened by them. So when I brought her out this afternoon and plopped her on the chair next to Loki … nothing happened! There was a bit of sniffing and chirruping but no weirdness and nobody seemed put out. Azar even played with her a little, but mostly it’s been The Luna & Loki Show since then. Luna is clearly in charge and Loki is following her around like lovesick schoolboy. Adorable.

Anyhow, this is all a bit of a test. There seems to be no risk of scratching or biting, so even if Luna is positive there is little likelihood of her passing anything on immediately. I think for now I’ll just let her out under supervision and put her back in the “air lock” to sleep with Nog at night. Still not sure if I’m doing the right thing…