Desk Visits

Garrus has always been reserved but he has been slowly becoming more affectionate. Being on Zylkene has noticeably helped him be more relaxed, faff about less and actually eat at meal times, and regularly ask for pets. He’s not accustomed to being picked up or held much, though, so we will continue to work on that.

Lately, Garrus started jumping onto Aaron’s Mac desk in his office and recently started to do the same on my desk more often as well. At first, he was more interested in sniffing the monitors and investigating everything on the desk. When he turned his attention to either Aaron or me, he seemed like he didn’t know what to do. (Charlie and Mau, by contrast, know exactly how to ask for pets and can be most persuasive about it.) We talk to him and offer him scritches, and if he is in the way (e.g. standing in front of the monitor we are working on), we can ask him to move and he does. He doesn’t knock items off the desk either.

“Excuse me, I would like attention please.”

“Pardon me, madam. Would you please take a break from reading your library book to give me scritches? I would most appreciate it.” After giving me this look, he softly bunted my chin and he received a smooch on his head in return. [please excuse the messy desk]

Often, when Garrus comes over for desk visits, Charlie trots into my office squeaking and flops onto the window seat for his own visit. Then I have to ensure both kitties get enough attention! It’s a demanding job to be sure.

Look at this purr monster!

I believe that Charlie is a happy little boy. I mean, look at that face!

Do your cats demand desk visits? Do they demand visits in other locales in your home? Do they get obnoxious about it or are they polite? Please share in the comments!

December is Upon Us!

Aaah! December is upon us! Is everyone looking forward to the holidays coming up? I’m in grad school now so I’m looking forward to Winter Break. (A break – what’s that? I don’t have weekends anymore!)

Here in Central Texas the cooler weather has brought a rather late autumn with fall foliage or, in other places, the trees changing their leaves in one day and dumping them by evening. I am curious though, readers – have your pets been on escapades in snow this year yet? If so, share in the comments!

As you can see, Mau and Charlie are busy making super-cute cuddle puddles.

Behold, Garrus the Gentleman Cat…I’m pretty sure he’s thinking about politely judging me for taking yet another photo of him.

Dinner Now!

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!

Wednesday Napping

I believe I’ve mentioned before that my cats are solar-powered. This is particularly apparent when it’s (1) cold and (2) raining (or has been raining for a few days). When the sun comes out, it’s a race for who has the best sunning spots. Charlie claimed his.

If I fits, I sits – or in this case, lounge unrepentantly in the freshly sanitized, sunlit Cat Genie. Doesn’t he look smug?

The Bromance Thickens

Charlie and Garrus have been best buds since the summer of 2017, just before we brought them home as fosters. They see each other as belonging to the same “social group,” groom each other, play together, and snuggle together. Charlie often uses Garrus as a pillow, which apparently, Garrus doesn’t seem to mind.

But look at this! Garrus’ position as Charlie’s pillow has been usurped by Mau! Scandalous!

I can tell you that all three were making happy kitty sighs. Charlie was nearly snoring with contentment. You can actually see him smiling in his sleep too.

You Found Me!

Now that winter is coming (cue Game of Thrones theme music), sunlight streams into our master bathroom in the afternoon. The tabbies like to lounge behind the Cat Genies on the platform and window sill – it’s a lovely, somewhat secluded sunning spot. Mau recently found it.

He seemed rather surprised that I found him. But look at that face!

Charlie seemed rather pleased with himself.

Garrus was not amused that his sunning routine was interrupted by my presence.

Do your cats have favored sunning spots? Where are they? Do they change throughout the year? Are they tolerant of you finding their favorite haunts? Share in the comments!

National Cat Day

Hooray, hooray! It’s National Cat Day!

Oh wait. I’m pretty sure that’s every day at our house. The clowder insists that we celebrate, even if we don’t give them new toys every day. Instead we give them adoration.

Garrus and Charlie observed National Cat Day with an appropriately cute snuggle. Not quite a heart shape but bromance-flavored nonetheless.

When I told Mau it was National Cat Day, this was his response. Typical.

Everyone wanted to bro down for National Cat Day. Note Garrus’ intense side eye.

How will you celebrate National Cat Day? Will there be catnip-filled merrymaking, new toys, and cat tower carousing? Share in the comments!