Feline musings

An interesting thing happened last night, after I had posted the blog: Mewthos and Lady Jane were playing with the curtains – again! Sigh! Only, I tried something different this time: I got up, went around my desk and sat down on the floor. And just watched. They immediately went away from the curtains and all three cats started putting on a show for my entertainment! They fought each other, they fought the pink fish toy, and they fought with Ziva – and went nowhere near the curtains! Interesting – maybe touching curtains has become the ‘call fur-granny’ button?

Before bed, I fed them canned food. I took the time to sit down with them and fed Ziva some mousse – slowly! Of course I take much too long to get settled, and scooping the food into the bowl for kitty liking :)! Poor Mewthos got under my feet and got kicked halfway across the kitchen floor! No, not kicked hard, what do you think I am? I was wearing soft slippers, and he simply skidded the distance. As expected, the kittens zoned in on the adult food and Ziva sat eyeing the mousse! She did have some of her food, too, but the mousse just is her favourite. I would put little bits on the spoon and let her lick them off.

We had a much better night. I followed the Mips example of ignoring Ziva’s attempts to keep everyone awake. She even went so far, at one point, as to let the Mips nurse – just to get their attention! Mewthos and Lady Jane slept stretched against the cool wall next to me on the bed.

This morning Ziva was again also curled up nearby. I let her out quite early, again. Mewthos heard the alarm and went into cuddle-mode. He came purring and rolling around wanting to be stroked, petted, ruffled – you name it! I don’t know where Lady Jane was at that time, she didn’t come when I called. She’s a bit withdrawn since her twin has left. Mewthos couldn’t get enough attention, and when my arms got tired, he played with my feet. We both made the mistake of thinking that he could play with them, as long as they are covered by the duvet – but his sharp teeth go right through, and it hurt. He’s actually a very gentle cat – very careful with his claws and teeth, not wanting to hurt me. Like I said, it was a mutual mistake.

While I had my coffee, all three were playing in the lounge – Ziva loves the pink fish as much as Lady Jane does! It seems that with only two kittens, Ziva is joining in the play-time more – like she did last night and this morning. She even played with me a bit, though I chose the wrong game to play and she nearly drew blood!

I was going through photos a bit last night and I noticed there are fewer of Lady Jane than Earl (on this blog, I think I’ll keep his name as Earl. Even though he is Taz now.) Reminds me a bit of my own childhood – I have almost no photos of my childhood. But the simple truth is that her specialty is the ecstatic dash with toilet paper! And I am just not fast enough to ever catch that on film – only the aftermath. When she is happily chomping on the paper held firmly in her paws! I’ve left a few sheets of paper on the roll on the holder for her – and she was happily chomping on the cardboard roll center when I left for work this morning.

Lady Jane is the most reserved of the kittens. She’s never the first to get into a new situation, never at the forefront of adventures, and not very demanding. She was, however, the one sitting and drinking from the fountain yesterday, whereas both Ziva and Mewthos sat by the empty old bowl looking sad. I had to carry them both to the fountain.

I am glad the emotional roller coaster ride is over. With the twins it was so hard trying not to get too attached to either, while they were up for adoption! Not knowing who will go, when. Then people calling to say they want one – and then unable to take him/her. And my fear that nobody would want them. Then coming to terms with the idea that they’d all be staying with me. And then Earl leaving so suddenly!

Initially I had thought two cats would be ... almost one too many! I meant to keep one of the kittens, but wasn’t sure whether I could keep Ziva. My thinking then was that one cat would be what I could cope with, not risking neglect due to my time constraints. I’ve come a long way in my thinking about that. With more cats, they can get attention from each other. They can cuddle and play with each other, needing me less.

The timing of this entire cat adventure is also perfect. If this had happened a year ago – I would have had to give them all away, fast. Since I was still working five days a week from early morning to late afternoon. I would not have had the time it has taken to attend to them, to obtain requirements, make any vet appointments. Yes, I would have missed out big time and would have had to live with the regret. But as things are, I’ve had some rough times, a lot of sleep deprivation, high financial implications – yet none exceeding my capacities. And for that I am very grateful!

I’ve missed having a cat for a long, long time – I still miss my Mynx! I had been considering adopting an elderly cat from a shelter, but with my nomadic lifestyle? I didn’t want to burden an animal with the stress of the continuous moves. I had considered a dog, which would better adapt to such changes – but I am not a dog person. And I feel it would not be fair to adopt a dog, when I’m not 100% certain that I want a dog. So I hadn’t come to a decision. So the decision was made for me.

I’m also beginning to think that, rather than getting fat, Ziva is actually coming into her own! We watched Ziva and Shadow together last night, and from the shoulders up they are so much alike! It’s only the lower body, where Shadow is darker! And Shadow has always been fuller bodied than Ziva. I know Ziva was starving when she arrived in my home, whereas Shadow seems not to have starved for as long as Ziva had. And none of Ziva’s offspring are of the tiny, dainty or petite variety – well, Quizzy Lizzy, maybe. But Mewthos is showing every sign that he will grow into quite a large cat! He has big paws, a big head – and his cute puppy waddle indicates he still has quite some growing ahead! Even though he is almost as big as his mother, now! Lady Jane also still has some growing to do, but I don’t think quite as much as Mewthos.

At work I had to stay late, waiting for a delivery. They delivered on time – only: to the wrong store, so I didn’t know it was ‘delivered’. Then I had to arrange for it to be collected from the wrong store and brought to us.

Back at home I’d just settled down, greeted my family and was getting ready for some play, when I looked out and saw: A burst water pipe! Fortunately it is outside the property, so I don’t have to involve the agent nor owner – just call the municipality. I called and was told it had already been reported! Seriously? This happened less than half an hour ago – when I got home, there was nothing! And someone has already reported it? We sure have some nosy parker busy bodies in our quiet little street!

Poor Rose! The water had run all across her driveway and she got quite wet feet squelching through the swamp to open her gate! She’s had a long day as well, and it’s hot and humid – even worse inside. So I suggested we meet downstairs, I get a garden chair for her to sit on and we enjoy watching the cats play in the garden. The odd bit of breeze made that a most welcome decision! Today was horribly hot and humid. It’s overcast and we’re hoping for rain.

Throughout the evening people would stop to point out the water leak, asking if it had been reported. Apparently it is running all the way down three or four blocks already! With the current water crisis, it’s good that everybody is so alert – albeit a bit annoying. Even the owner’s mother stopped by to ask what’s up. Rose went to talk to her – I don’t have her skill of being nice to … such people. She was only concerned whether she’d have to pay – but since it’s outside, it’s not going to cost her. Oh, and she noticed the kittens – Rose cleverly claimed them as hers. She didn’t notice that there is a path now. She didn’t notice that there is a rockery now. She didn’t notice the flower beds alongside the path. Just ‘will the burst pipe cost me?’ and ‘Is the tenant keeping cats without permission?’ Nothing else interests her.

Anyway, we had an absolutely lovely time chatting and watching the four cats at play! We had some good laughs as well! At one point Mewthos and Lady Jane both raced to the tree and jumped it – and there were two kitties stuck to the tree, like kitty-splats! Or when Lady Jane, in her enthusiasm to catch the stick jumped straight into Ziva’s face! Or when Ziva stood up looking over the wall to watch the water bubble! They are such a pleasure to watch!

There were also some not so pleasant moments, like when Rose had to go to the wall to talk to the owner’s mother, her Shadow followed … and Lady Jane followed Shadow! All the way to the wall! She’s naughty that way – and it scares me no end! Sure, they run like crazy when they hear a big car – but they don’t know about cars! I really wish I could keep them inside – but I am just not equipped, yet, to make that possible. Cats have needs, and my home does not meet them. Yet. But I’m working on it!

It’s getting dark and I’ve managed to lure the kittens inside – mommy is still out. She calls a little later – and comes strolling in wet as a rag! So I dry her off with some paper towels. She thanks me profusely! My box of tissues is empty, so I decide to turn it into a kitty puzzle. I put one of the little plastic balls with a bell inside. It keeps Lady Jane amused for all of five minutes. Then she figures it out & the game is over. I try to put the ball back inside – but she’s figured it out. Just puts her paw in, claws out, snags the ball and brings it out. Game over. So I try it on Mewthos – but he’s watched Lady Jane, and knows the solution, too!

Earl is doing very well. He’s made friends with his fellow baby and he’s gotten some new toys today! I’ve even gotten some photos – he looks very happy!

Rose was saying earlier that Ziva’s face is looking … happier. Less taut. Less stressed. That fits in with her ‘strange’ behaviour. As in: from the start she has tried to make herself welcome in my home, fitting in with my wishes in every aspect possible – ignoring her own preferences. Now she’s starting to mix in some of her own personality. The only likes / dislikes she had shown in the past was her dislike for wet food from yesterdays can. And I put a lid on the can – it’s as fresh as can be. Not dried out. But now she’s trying out new things – without fear of rejection. At least, with fewer signs of fear. She’s playing! She doesn’t always come when I call. But if she hears any distress in my voice – she ALWAYS tries to help! It’s like getting to know a whole new cat – a freer, happier cat! She’s pushing boundaries, and loves finding one’s she had set up needlessly!

When I scooped the sandbox tonight, Mewthos – again – climbed in and used it. A thought struck me: He is so curious about what I’m doing on the toilet, always wanting to climb on the seat behind, sticking his nose everywhere. What if he’s trying to teach me how to use the sandbox?

Oh, and Lady Jane also wanted to join the party – but her ladyship doesn’t like to be observed, so she went to the bathroom instead. And found – to her blissful delight – that I’d forgotten the toilet paper on the holder! And happily pulled it off and started her happy shredding! Sigh – that’ll teach me!

I’m keeping our new dinner ritual, where Mewthos and Lady Jane help themselves to whichever food they like from the bowls and I spoon-feed Ziva little bits of mousse. She loves that there is food just for her – no Mip allowed the spoon! Lady Jane is quite happy with a bowl to herself – it was the crowding she didn’t like. When the Mips were done, I pushed the bowl in front of Ziva – signaling she’s now allowed to clean it out – but she left it!

Surprisingly, the Mips still have a lot of energy to work off and they are pin-balling under my curtains again! I think I’ll add something curtain like to the scratching post I’m planning to build this weekend.

And now it’s past ten, time to shut up, shut off and go to bed!