Our two cats, Storm and Watson, accompanied us to Italy. We prepared a carrier for each of them and decided to travel at night to avoid the busy highway traffic, hoping it would be less stressful for them. Strangely enough, they sensed that something big was happening. They behaved exceptionally well, only meowing every few hours as if to check in and reassure us that they were okay.
Their first steps in our new home were uncertain. Their senses were on high alert, every sound and smell unfamiliar to them. It was clear they felt out of place, their usual confidence replaced by cautious curiosity. However, by the second day, we noticed a shift. Slowly but surely, they began exploring their new surroundings, their adventurous spirits returning. Our feline friends began racing through the house again.
Despite their growing comfort, we kept them indoors for at least three weeks. But Watson, ever the explorer, began inspecting the front door after just two weeks, trying to figure out how to open it. Meanwhile, Storm took a more cautious approach, hiding at the bottom of a cabinet and observing from a safe distance.
In Belgium, our cats were accustomed to playing in the garden, and they knew the dangers of the traffic on our street. Every evening at sunset, they would come inside, ready to spend the night with us. Encountering another cat in the garden was probably their most thrilling event.
In Italy, they found themselves in a wooded environment without any traffic, and we wondered how they would react. Would they remain the faithful house cats or embrace the forest life?
After three weeks, we decided to open the door one morning to see if they were interested in exploring our new garden, and eventually, the forest beyond. Watson stepped out cautiously, her nose in the air as if trying to capture the autumn scents. Within ten minutes, she had already climbed the first tree, perching high as if on the lookout for pirate ships.
Storm, on the other hand, stayed on the doorstep. She looked left and right but decided not to venture any further just yet. Both cats have distinct personalities, and as the oldest cat, Storm likely needed more time to adjust. We weren’t worried, knowing each would explore in their own time and at their own pace.
A few days later, Storm also ventured into the garden, her long fur waving in the wind. Like a lioness, she explored her new realm. The house we bought had been a vacation home for an Italian family, who had spent less time there in recent years. The garden had become overgrown and neglected, turned into a wilderness—a perfect haven for mice and other creatures. Our cats saw it as a domain in need of order.
It was amazing to watch our cats claim their place in nature, running and pouncing with newfound freedom. The mouse population was significantly reduced in no time, as our cats built a sort of buffer around the house, ensuring no rodents would invade their territory.
Storm, to this day, prefers not to sleep indoors. She has other responsibilities, coming by only to eat and say hello. Gone are the days of cuddling; she now lives on top of a pile of stones, with a view over the valley. Only in the winter months does she nestle close to the house to sleep, unwilling to miss the nocturnal events in the forest.
Watson is the bold one among our cats. Snakes, lizards, weasels, slow worms... all these creatures must be touched by her paw as if she's saying hello or making it clear that they should find another hiding place when she's around. The many birds, with their incessant chirping, fascinate her endlessly. However, the flying Formula 1 pilots are far too clever for her. It doesn’t bother her, but any bird that comes too close will find out quickly who’s in charge. Watson also has a stronger connection with humans. She accompanies us on forest walks as if she feels the need to protect us. Only when thunder rumbles through the mountains does she come timidly close, seeking comfort.
Yet, her curiosity also draws her to the night’s mysteries. Dutifully, she lays her nightly catch at the front door, a testament to her hunting prowess and loyalty.
It's a joy to see how our cats have adapted and embraced their new lives, transforming from house cats to guardians of the forest.
