It’s been unusually cold for Central Texas lately–highs in the 20s with a spattering of snow and ice and yes, it’s a big deal here–so we’ve definitely been homebodies. Poor Garrus, he’s slunk around, looking at me with that mournful expression of his, as he has clearly missed being able to sunbathe. (His batteries are apparently like Wall-E’s.). Boudicca and Garrus alike give me pointed stares until I realize that they want me to unroll the crocheted blankets across the couch (for Boudicca) and ottoman (for Garrus). This is our daily routine, and clearly my cats have me well-trained. Charlie has been the most easygoing of the three, happy to sleep nearly anywhere and doesn’t fuss when Garrus ousts him from his spot in the cat tower. (Charlie gets him back by being a bit of a bed hog.) For her part, Boudicca has also been even more insistent about extended lap time sessions in the evenings.
Perhaps exhibiting symptoms of cabin fever, Charlie has been often the friskiest kitty in the house since the onset of this cold weather. Yes, he is usually pretty playful but this is unusually exuberant even for him. This is more along the lines of, “Play with me! Please lay with me! I will bug you SO MUCH until you play with me! Garrus? Boudicca? Mom? Dad? Inanimate object? Birds outside? Wall? Chair? Imaginary friend? Air? ALL THE THINGS PLAY WITH ME?!” Ahem. Symptoms of unusual friskiness include:
- So. Much. Zoomies.
- Inventing new games with zany rules.
- Playing with and lose ALL the toys. Squeaking about it. Pestering sleeping Garrus or Boudicca, who clearly don’t want to play. Finding Mom and getting her to fish out toys. Repeat.
- Lots of outrageous adorable squeaky talking (and stopping just before Mom gets out her phone to record it).
- Carrying toys around in his mouth, combined with aforementioned squeaky talking and mrreowing (!).
- Pestering everyone in sight, especially if they’re sleeping.
- Appropriating new toys, such as stray coffee beans, Cat Genie pellets, kibbles, screws, and Post Its.
- Instigating loud chase and wrestling sessions with Garrus that wind up beneath the bed as Aaron and I attempt to sleep.
- Waking up at 6AM, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and definitely raring to go. Charlie’s morning visit’s consists of jumping onto the bed, announcing his arrival by squeaking, and rubbing himself all over us while he flops and purrs. He then follows us into the kitchen and wants a follow-up visit while we eat breakfast. Boudicca is not too happy about this, as this has thrown off her begging routine.
Charlie’s recent antics have been exceedingly hilarious and charming but also a bit aggravating, at least according to Boudicca, who has been on the receiving end of Charlie’s kittenish pounces more than once. Even Garrus, who has always been Charlie’s buddy, has at times given him the side-eye if abruptly woken from a nap or just wasn’t feeling in the mood to play because he was cold and had situated himself in a comfy spot on the bed. (Garrus has given us side-eye too when he realized we were getting into bed.)
The sun came out yesterday and Garrus was positively elated. He spend the entire afternoon sprawled on his side (a rare occurrence for such a reserved kitty), basking in the previously elusive sun. I’m sure I caught him flashing his vampy smile. After his sunbath, it was Garrus’ turn to be frolicsome, which meant I caught him twice perched on the table. He denied it, of course. (“I believe you are mistaken, Madam. I would never make such an egregious faux pas”, he seemed to say, showing me his wide, innocent-looking yellow eyes. I was not convinced, having caught him red-pawed in the act twice.) Meanwhile, Charlie sat politely on the floor, his toy mouse beside him and his halo shining brightly above his head.
So far, 2018 has been most interesting…
Purry Home Companion 