Apologies for the belated post. Life continues chaotically here. With a little luck, we can get back on our regular schedule next week.
In the meantime, however, please enjoy this picture from my archives. Why this one? Mostly because it enabled the post title, and I couldn’t resist.
Sachiko at approximately five months, discovering the joys of her very own catnip toys.
Sachiko has laid claim to the condo just outside the bedroom and can often be found snoozing on one of the upper platforms. It’s a convenient height for drive-by pattings, after all.
And if it allows her to show off her luxuriant whiskers and darling toe beans, so much the better.
Even though every condo in the house has at least two levels, it’s rare to see more than one cat per condo.
So it was a surprise to look upstairs a few days ago and see Lefty and Sachiko sharing the “microwave” condo.
It didn’t last long; about fifteen minutes later, Lefty wandered into the bedroom in search of snuggles. But it was nice to see them getting along in close proximity, however briefly.
Sachiko has been feeling frisky lately. Since her usual tussling partner is Watanuki–tuxedo cats have to stick together–we get a lot of scenes like this.
“Hey, Big Brudder Nookles, let’s throw down! Imma take you dis time!”
You can just hear him thinking, “Yeah, right, Kid. Just like you have the last umpty-dozen times I’ve nipped your ears for you.”
So then, of course, he throws the first slap.
We get about ten seconds of mixed martial arts, followed by thundering hoofbeats as Sachiko heads for the supposed safety of one of the condos.
‘Nuki doesn’t bother to chase her. He knows she’ll be back for another round (more than) soon enough.
Cats are territorial, but as I’ve noted in the past, ownership can change.
Case in point: the Condo at the Top of the Stairs* was previously Lefty’s spot. Not that he went inside much, but he frequently sat on top of it. Before Lefty took possession, Watanuki was a frequent resident.
* We’re still not sure if it’s supposed to be a TV or a microwave. Certainly the controls suggest the former, but the overall impression seems other. Perhaps it was designed by someone–probably on commission–who’d never actually seen a TV old enough to have a UHF dial. I can see him deciding that a Google Image search would be too much work. “Hmm, that microwave has a couple of dials and is square and boxy. Good enough.”
With the library–currently aka “Emeraldas’ Room–being open most of the day and night, Lefty is spending most of his time in there, leaving the CatTofS vacant. As we saw a couple of weeks ago, Yuki gave it a test, but ultimately he seems to have decided it’s not for him.
Never loathe to stake out turf in a high traffic zone, Sachiko moved in.
Not that gloats about her new habitat, of course.
She just has a smug resting face.
Don’t believe anyone who tells you cats are graceful, elegant creatures.
They trip over their own feet.
They trip over each other.
They sprawl on the floor and melt into puddles of fur.
And, of course, they groom themselves.
At least Mr. Nookles was courteous enough to place that paw where he did. There are children present!
Well, okay, she’s not a child any more and she’s been guilty of the same infraction against public decency, but still…
The cats got their Christmas present a couple of days early.
As one would expect, reactions are mixed. Nor, for that matter, has everyone expressed an opinion. But early returns are encouraging.
Yuki is neutral. He knows it’s there, but hasn’t shown much interest.
Watanuki, on the other forepaw, is enthusiastic.
Very enthusiastic.
Lefty is interested. Cautiously interested.
Especially cautious with Mr. Knuckles watching him. Lefty needs a certain amount of reassurance that he’s allowed to use it.
However, there’s no question about who’s most enthralled by the new playground. That’s Sachiko, paws–and all other body parts–down.
Well, okay, toe beans up, even if the other parts are down. But it’s hard to beat a twenty-beans-up rating.
Sorry to anyone who was hoping for profound insights today.
Instead, just appreciate how easy Sachiko makes “deeply cute” seem.
I had plans for today’s post. Really, I did. Unfortunately, distractability kicked me in the rear, as it has so often these past few months.
So, instead of the elaborate disquisition I had planned, you get a quick “Then/Now” post. Well, it is–as best we can tell–more or less her birthday.
Sachiko at age (approximately) three months:
In constant motion, fierce to defend her toys, but always eager for a cuddle.
Sachiko at age (approximately) six years:
No longer a model of hyperjettic behavior, much more willing to share toys, and considerably more rotund, but still an enthusiastic snuggler.
Happy Approximate Birthday, oh Pampered Princess Pointy-Bits.
The weird lighting and rapidly changing temperatures have everyone in the household a bit unbalanced and prone to hiding in caves and/or under the covers*. The result is a notable lack of entertainingly cute pictures this week.
* I include the two-legged inhabitants in that assessment.
So, instead, how about a Rogues’ Gallery of all of the quadrupeds with a minimum of commentary?
In order of increasing seniority:
MM
Lefty
Sachiko
The Ookis came into the house at the same time, but ‘Nuki is clearly the senior of the two.
Yuki
Watanuki (three months older and far more dominant than his shelter-brother)
The Flying Monkeys don’t fly as much as they used to when they were kittens. But again, Kaja is the obvious senior.
Rhubarb
Kaja (a born leader and much more aggressive than her littermate)
And the grande dame, Ms. Kokoro
Koi Scribblings 