Lucy Jane (RB now) was an only cat for about 4 years. Then Leroy showed up and would not go away. He would run round and round the house outside at night yelling his head off. Out of concern for not only my sleep, but the rest of the neighborhood, I took him in. Lucy did not like that at all. She would hiss and growl down deep in her throat like she was going to attack. Oh, not Leroy, ME! She was so mad at me, it took her months to forgive me. Leroy, she put in his place with one or two swats with her paw. She growled at me for a long time. After that, when I brought a new member into the house, she would get a pained look on her face and give me the old, MOM MAKE IT GO AWAY, look.

When I introduced Chester two years ago, I just set him down in one room and let them all discover each other. There were hisses and a slap or two but for the most part they got on ok. He is best buds with Luke now. Leonardo likes to still put him in his place now and then by chasing him but nothing major. Chester is now getting where he gives it back and chases Leonardo. There were times I thought I'd lost my mind, but it was worth it.