Where all the owners are responsible, all the shelters are empty, and all the pets are only slightly over-loved
Mau just woke up from his afternoon nap and came yammering into my office. Apparently he had overslept and was late for his normally scheduled yammering hour (usually starting around 4 pm) and discombobulated about it. He also wanted to inform me that, according to him, it was now food o’clock.
Charlie, on the other hand, thought it was time to visit and snuggle on the window seat.
I expect I will have three cat-shaped dinnersharks circling my desk soon.
We got a new couch! My parents are moving and were generous enough to give us their luxurious leather sectional. It’s HUGE. However, the couch offers plenty of lounging space and Mau was more than ready to try it out for lap time (as you can see).
They spent quite a bit of time sniffing and exploring the couch, being concerned (especially Charlie), and being mildly discombobulated with the new changes and the lack of an ottoman.
We moved moved the cat tower from near the fireplace to the window, where the armchair used to be. Lots of change for the cats! The new position of the cat tower brought lots of interest too.
Aaron recently bought me larger monitors for my computer – highly useful for grad school – but the cats apparently think my desk is even more irresistible. Now all three regularly stop by for desk visits.
As cat owners know, cats are ninjas. Some have incredible hiding powers. (Some, however, not so much…) A couple weeks ago, Charlie would disappear and we couldn’t find him in his usual spots. We knew he was somewhere in the house but couldn’t figure out where. Then I saw something move out of the corner of my eye…the sock bin. Charlie had climbed inside Aaron’s sock basket and decided to take a snooze in it.
Cats are so weird.
Do your cats hide in unusual spots? Do they sleep in laundry bins or dresser drawers? Share in the comments!
Help! The box monster has returned! Whatever shall I do?
I think when Aaron ordered a dryer vent sweeper, Mau was more excited about it than anyone else in the house because it came in a long, thin box. While Garrus and Charlie occasionally sniffed it or peeked inside if a toy bounced inside, Mau immediately claimed the box as his.
Most amusingly, Mau typically saunters into the box after eating his breakfast and has a sit. I guess it is his Sitting/Pondering Box. Evidently this Box Monster contemplates the wonders of the universe.
The box is extra special because it has crinkly paper in it. It also makes a fun gully in which to bat around toys and a spot from which to pounce on his housemates (apparently). I just think he looks extra cute in his box but I’m likely biased…
Do your cats like boxes? Does the shape and size matter? Does the inclusion of crinkly paper make the box special to your cat? Share in the comments!
Our cats like their routine and stick to it – and steadfastly ignore Daylight Savings Time. Now that we are no longer free-feeding so that Mau gets his Tylosin and to ensure everyone gets equal portions (and thus prevent pigging out or bullying), the cats let us know when they’re hungry. Mau, in particular, is very vocal when he thinks it’s time for dinner and would like to lodge a complaint with management about the delay in service. This afternoon he took it upon himself to get dinner now.
After the cats finish eating, we take the bowls up and put them in the pantry, with the door firmly closed. Why? If we put them on the counter, Mau might climb up and help himself to his food along with everyone else’s (we’ve caught him doing this in the past, hence why we now put the bowls in the pantry). That is not a habit we want him to continue – counters are not acceptable places for kitties in our house – and we don’t want Mau to teach Garrus and Charlie this habit either. Mau decided to go counter surfing and climbed onto the trash can to get leverage. He promptly knocked over the trash can and a couple things off the counter (unbreakable, fortunately) and skittered off, startled by the CRASH. I saw him skedaddle and followed him into the hallway. He turned and gave me such a look of innocence with those big, slightly googly blue eyes. It’s difficult to get mad at him because he’s so cute.
Cue the dramatic yammering. “Mama, I’m STARVING! FEED ME NOW BEFORE I WASTE AWAY INTO NOTHINGNESS! Oh, by the way, I have no idea how the trash can got knocked over. I had absolutely nothing to do with that and I wasn’t anywhere near the counter. See? I’m too adorable and TOO HUNGRY.”
Charlie and Garrus, hearing the drama unfold from their snoozing spots in the bedroom, came out to give their two cents and squeaked too – comments from the peanut gallery, I suppose. At least they were more polite about it and even threw in prancey walks and tail hugs with their “please feed me” requests. Cats are so demanding.
Garrus contemplates his dinner options next to the ottoman.
Charlie tries to be coy after squeaking up a storm.
Are your cats fed on a schedule? How do they react to Daylight Savings Time? When they are hungry, how do they let you know? Share in the comments!
Sometimes the cats decide to doze on the bed. Garrus tends to curl up near the pillows and looks at us like we just insulted his mother if we ask him to move so we can sleep too. Such a snooty face! But, because he is a Gentleman Cat, he does move.
“It’s only Wednesday? How disappointing. I’m going to nap on your side then.” ~Garrus
“Pardon me, but I believe these jeans belong to me. I find them most comfortable. I’m sure you won’t miss them.” ~Garrus
Occasionally we can convince him that he doesn’t have to move immediately and instead could just enjoy a bed visit. Even if he starts purring, more often than not he’ll still give us a healthy dose of side-eye. I’m pretty sure if he could speak in English, he would be a deadpan snarker.
If your cats could talk, what do you think they would say? Would they have a sense of humor? Share in the comments!
Cats will find the most interesting ways to amuse themselves – and often end up making their humans chuckle too. Occasionally all three cats will have the zoomies, though it is rare for all three to have the zoomies at the same time. During a decent scamper session, there is usually quite a bit of jumping onto and sliding on top of the ottoman. Apparently Mau discovered another use for the crocheted blanket after his slide made it askew: it makes a hiding spot!
“You can’t see me! I’m hiding!” (No, not really. I could see your fluffy tail sticking out from beneath the blanket.)
“Where should I scamper to next?”
Do your cats ever get the zoomies? What happens? Do your other pets join in or is it a solo excursion? Share in the comments below!
I don’t think Garrus wasn’t consulted.
“Instead of taking pictures, you could, you know, help.” ~Garrus
“Boundaries? What are those?” ~Mau
The snuggle ended when Garrus slid from under Mau and stood up, letting Mau to unceremoniously flop on the ottoman. Then Mau declared that lap time would commence forthwith with Aaron.
I shared this little anecdote on Facebook one year ago, a few months before I started Purry Home Companion. It’s been three weeks since I said goodbye to Boudicca but she will always be my beloved Queen B in my heart.
This exchange happens nearly every time I open the sliding laundry doors…
Boudicca: Mama, whatcha doing? Can I help? I must be involved in every activity you do!
Me: Moving laundry.
Boudicca: I must explore this place for the 4,638th time! *sneaks in as I close the doors*…Um, Mama? Why is it dark in here? Mama? OMG I’ve been abandoned and imprisoned forever! I am now INCREDIBLY CONCERNED. Meow. Meow. Mreow. MROW.
Me: Boudicca, you’ve been in there for 2.3 seconds. Calm down. *I open the doors*
Boudicca: I must make epic prison break! I am FREE AT LAST! *darts out of laundry closet and proceeds with highly googly zoomies around the house*
In seventeen years, Boudicca hasn’t learned much and it’s still hilarious.
Purry Home Companion 