New paintings and regular art updates.
Getting his zzzzeds in. I love it when he comes in and settles down on the arms of the chairs between us. He has his own sparkly purple cushion. I tap on it and he jumps up. Then he will lie down and extend his front paws. I love touching his paws because its like a show of trust between us after being an outside abandoned cat for so long. Then he curls up and goes to sleep. Yes I know cats sleep for hours. But I see this as a sign that he knows that he is safe now.
Our outside cat really does seem to appreciate us. Often he puts out his paw and touches me as if he is confirming to himself that I am real, that I exist. It is somehow a gesture of reassurance. Trust, acceptance. I feel so privileged that he seems to know we care about him.
This photo was just taken. He wants to sit between us on the armchair arms. My hubby pats the cushion on the arms and he jumps up. He’s now resting his head on the arm. Soon he will be asleep.
My indoor cats still get attention, I see the look of love in their faces, slightly closing their eyes in a look of pleasure, but I guess our outdoor cat needs that extra bit of care. He was rejected and abandoned by his previous owners and its taken about three years to get him in and really gain his trust. We love him.
Where do I go? Where do I fit in? I’m twice as big as your other two cats hooman and yet they are my bosses! They sniff me and check me out. But if I sniff back they don’t like it. Sometimes I raise my paw to say no. But you tell me off hooman.
I sleep on your bed now cos I sort of trust you. And sometimes I sneak up on your chair or climb on your chest. Then I tuck my paws under to keep warm. You tickle my chin and I stretch a paw out to touch your hand and reassure myself. Tonight I’m sitting between you and the other hooman. I’m purring but still a bit nervous. Will you be going to bed soon? I’ll sit between you but if the other hooman with the big heavy paws strokes me too hard I will get off and go back outside for an hour. You are gentle and don’t bother me. But if you don’t love me enough I will get up and go out again… Decisions…. But first, a snack…
The outdoor cat trusts me enough to show me his belly and he let me stroke it. Cats are very nervous of doing this, so they really are careful about rolling over and showing their tummies. I feel very honoured that he’s let me do that.
He’s back in this evening out of the cold. The other cats are continuing to tolerate him. I think soon he will be a (mostly) indoor cat too!
You sat on his lap today,
Fell asleep with a twitch of your tail,
Trusting you could stay,
Trusting that you would be safe.
First time that’s happened
In three years of life
Living with us, but nervous.
Always flighty, flitting, fleeing,
But now content to rest,
On his warm lap
One totally relaxed cat.
Trust. X
Love. X
Friendship. X
Mallaband-Brown