but one of my 6-year-old cats is incensed at the presence of the two new kittens. I've had cats all my life, and learned early how to assure the house elders that the newcomers weren't going to usurp them. It's always worked before, but this time it's looking nearly impossible. I've always adopted from the local pound, and generally in two -- litter mates if I can get them, and it's usually no problem. I adopted the two elder siblings (female, both spayed) six years ago, and was feeling we were ready to add to the household again after mourning the loss of the 18-year-old last Christmas. Chose siblings again, a male and a female, and had them sent directly to the vet for spaying and neutering. Had my neighbor bring them home, in the carrier, and leave them in the sunroom for a while. One of the elder females was mildly annoyed, and still hisses on occasion if one of the babies gets too close -- but the other is just outraged. Refuses to be in the same room with them, and has now taken to insisting she be let outside if they're out of their quarters. They're only 12 weeks old, and I've never had this problem before. Usually the elder cats will be irritated for a while, and may never warm up to them completely, but they generally arrive at a truce eventually. This time, I'm not sure. The one which really seems to loathe them can always be found outside, in the arbor or on the porch, and will eventually come to me after a lot of coaxing, but it's quite clear she's nursing a serious grudge. I've never been worried about an elder cat running away, but I'm concerned about it this time. I don't allow the kittens to roam the house unless I'm here, they're always confined to the downstairs den when I'm gone and while we sleep. They've had only brief interaction with the elder cats, but I'm beginning to wonder if they'll ever peacefully coexist. Should I be worried about the one who's so unhappy actually leaving? Or will she come around eventually?

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