Five years and eleven months ago, I wrote about how, two years before, we had become a five cat household, blowing right through all sensible limits regarding proper human to feline ratios.

Yuki and Watanuki, I said then, had been hanging out together at the shelter, and it seemed far too great a sin to break up such a promising friendship. Now, here we are, more than eight years after the Ookis graced us with their presence in our lives, and they’re still great friends.

To the extent that ‘Nuki has friends, anyway. But leave his thuggery for another day.

They can often, as you see here, be found hanging out on the bed together.

They share common interests. Home security (“Ooki Brothers’ Security is on the case!”). Treats. Drooling.

Mutual grooming is far from unheard of.

And they have similar reactions to being photographed. “You get one shot. After that, I’m going to shift to a less photogenic pose.”

So it was an exciting day when I not only got the shot of the two of them sharing out the pillows, but even persuaded them to hold still long enough to get individual images.

Mr. Floof isn’t actually gazing into your soul. I don’t think so, anyway. More likely, he’s assessing the odds that you’ve got a cat treat in your pocket.

Mr. Knuckles, on the other paw, is definitely sizing up your soul and finding it lacking. He’s not using his eyes, though. Those whiskers of his are multipurpose implements whose utility goes far beyond mundane navigation. They weigh souls, field dress prey, and tune in FM radio.