Amused

The cats have different beds to sleep in, most of them quite fluffy, and a couple are like igloos, which might be quite warm now spring is here.

I have a laundry ‘basket’, a tube of material with round ends, and a slit at one end you put your laundry into. It has a spiral wire spring, so if you undo two toggles that hold it flat it springs up to a cylinder a couple of feet in height.

I don’t use it much because it’s a bit cumbersome to carry when it’s full. But last night inspiration struck. I undid one of the toggles and one side opened up, so it was at 90° to the base. The slit was at the front so a cat might get in… I also put a cloth shopping bag inside because the wires would be uncomfortable to lie on… This morning? A little nose peeking out. It must be like a tent for my cat, and it will not be as hot to sleep in… Successful experiment I’d say…. Plus when not in use I can fasten the toggle and put it away…

Asleep on the stairs

Beware! Early morning hazard on the stairs. As the days and nights get warmer I think he sleeps on the stairs because there is a cool draught of air descending down them. It does make navigating them difficult for us. Thankfully I have two handrails and I walk carefully anyway. Rushing down (or up) could lead to a serious fall. I am also happy that he has a prominent white mark across his back which makes him more visible against our charcoal grey carpet (which the cats are pulling loose). Early morning perambulation is done at our own risk! Meanwhile he’s snoring quietly, curled up, a step full of fur asleep on the stairs.

A trip to the vets

Booster shot time for the cats….

One was fine, the other one not so much. She hid in a cupboard, ran under a cupboard, ran behind the armchair, ran in the kitchen then out again. Finally I managed to grab her at the top of the stairs because we had shut the bedroom doors. Then, well walking downstairs when you are a bit wobbly on your feet and cannot hold the handrail because you need to hold onto the cat… To say I had a feeling of vertigo, scary. Hubby came halfway up the stairs so I could deposit her into the cat carrier.

Then off to the vets, female cat was miaowing all the way (The male was much quieter on his trip) . I kept gently telling her she was OK. The vet was lovely, he was very good with both cats and gave the inoculations while my cats were still in the carrier. A quick check of each cats hearts and we whisked them home again.

Now two hours later I’m being headbutted and purred at by the female. A sprinkling of catnip seems to have helped.

Cat on the bed

Heat seeking cat… I went to the bathroom and came back to this! He must have snuck in while I was downstairs. Made himself at home, comfy and warm and in my spot! It isn’t helping my insomnia, but he looks so cozy I don’t want to just kick him off! But I guess he will have to move or I will be relegated to my old armchair! He’s so sweet, he’s stretched out his paws and put them next to my hand… Now he’s rolled over to show his belly! Sweet, and cheeky cat!

Two cats, one chair arm

They were queueing up to see me today. Poddling (kneeding) my knee. I am so glad they tolerate each other. Black and white filter for black and white cats. You can’t tell but the cat on the right is twice as big as the one on the left. But he’s no bully. He does go outside more than the smaller on. But today peace rained. Then later our girl cat came up and poddled too. Good day x

Taking in cats

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

Almost all of our cats have been strays or rescue cats. Starting with an old ginger cat whose owner no longer wanted him. I was at the vets with my friend and her kittens. We saw this straggly, ginger long haired cat, he was thin as a rake and it’s owner who was an elderly lady, could no longer care for him. We asked if we could take him in and she signed him over to us. He was quite old but he lived another couple of years with us. He used to walk along the wall between us and the house next door. He knew when I was coming home and came and greeted me. One thing I always do is teach my cats to come when I whistle them. I have never regretted the risk of taking our first cat in, and now after many years of cat ownership I still feel the same way.

Cat dominoes

The cats make me laugh

By the splodges on their paws, I could play cat dominoes. I couldn’t do it physically, but my cats have blobs and spots so you could line up photos of them so you get two next to two and three next to three. It’s a silly idea I know, but they have sweet markings. I think black and white cats really are my favourite. Nothing posh. Just Jellicals cats.. A poem by TS Elliott, about cats coming out to play….