We began to realize, in light of Rajah’s steadily increasing attentions, we would have to modify the rules in some manner. Since careful observation had revealed no signs of ill intent towards the cats on Shaylin’s part, we decided to allow her to have contact with Rajah in the living room as long as we were present.

 Rajah capitalized on this opportunity. He would stride across the living room, jump up on Shaylin’s lap, and contentedly sit as she stroked his back for what seemed an interminable length of time for a seven year old diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. Most amazing, all the attention she lavished on Rajah was done in a caring, gentle manner, a trait Shaylin was not exactly known for.

For some reason Rajah had taken a real shine to Shaylin, and he started exhibiting behavior we had not observed before. He would regularly appear in the yard about the time Shaylin’s school bus arrived each day. As Shaylin ran from the bus to the house, Rajah would trot alongside, bolting in front of her at the last minute to make sure he did not get left outside. Later, as Shaylin sat on the living room couch doing her homework, Rajah would be comfortably curled up at her side.

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