Friends

25 May 2018

Cat Comforts


Why, when I go to sit down, I find Charlie the cat is already there. It doesn’t matter which chair, he tries them all, but his favourite is the rocker, which is also mine. Second favourite is the sofa!

It is funny to see him rocking when he jumps on the chair but he seems to like it. I have noticed that he changes position frequently, presumably in order to experience more rocking.

In the meantime, I am relegated to another seat from which I disregard the look of disdain on the cat’s face. I swear he thinks all chairs are made for him.




Is it common for cats to take over the household furnishings? 
I don’t think Lee did it, many moons ago. Lee was white with black markings and a very feminine cat. Her legs reminded me of the Queen Ann legs you see on old furniture. She had such a precise way of placing her feet on the ground and if it was muddy outside she would select the right way to go, just like a Victorian lady.

One thing I do recall, though, is the way she loved me. Literally! She would leap onto my lap then stretch up to put her arms (legs) round my neck. She did that for eighteen years, until she got so poorly the vet advised putting her down. She clung to me that day, arms (legs) around my neck, and stayed there until the end.

I think Charlie will always be a cat that likes a fuss and likes to come on my lap but there is an independence about him that is rather cute. One thing that I like about him is that he talks to me - in his own language, of course. For example, if he gets caught in the rain he hurries back to me to complain, in loud cat language, and he won’t stop until I get a towel to dry him, even in the middle of the night. Don’t you just love pets that don’t understand time?


22 comments:

  1. "She clung to me that day, arms (legs) around my neck, and stayed there until the end."

    OMG Valerie, that brought tears to my eyes. How sweet and sad. It reminded me of when one of my cats (Jerry) passed away.

    Aren't cats comical in how they love to pick different places to take cat naps? My male cat was very close to me (much like Lee was to you), and would always be by my side. He would always lay down wherever I had been sitting, and would sleep in my bed whenever I got up in the morning. He also slept under the covers with me at night. Zoe, on the other hand, was very independent and somewhat aloof. She was not at all affectionate, and hated to be touched or cuddled with.

    Funny how cats are all unique in their own way.

    Have a lovely weekend, my friend!

    X to you and Charlie

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    1. Ron, yes, Charlie does all those things you mentioned and sneaks into my bed when I'm asleep. He likes a fuss and sleeps on the chairs I vacate. I have heard others say male cats are more affectionate but I think that only applies in some cases.

      I can't believe it is Friday already. I had a birthday the other day and the weather was beautiful, now look at it. Windy and wet and cold, just in time for a visit from stepdaughter all the way from Oz.

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  2. Miss Kitty prefers boxes to furniture and I order so much from Amazon seen like there's always one around for her to use.

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    1. Janet, I tried saving boxes but Charlies would sniff around and refuse to sleep in them. I also bought a cat bed which was a waste of money. It looks at it as if it smells of something rotten...gg.

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  3. I love that sentence as well: "She clung to me that day, arms (legs) around my neck, and stayed there until the end."

    Scuba was a big black tomcat with a strong personality. But when he lay on your chest and purred, it was heaven.

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    1. Hi Susan, I can see you had as much pleasure from your cat as I do mine. I was talked into having a cat after my Joe died and I don't regret it one little bit.

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  4. TS Eliot wrote about the cat who was always on the wrong side of every door. It sounds as if Charlie has the uncanny ability to always be on the very chair you want to sit on! Lee looks beautiful and sounds such a character.

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    1. Hi Jenny, Lee was a beautiful cat in every way. She lived to 18 so I had plenty of years with her. Charlie is male and sometimes aims to preserve his rights!!!

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  5. I often find Domino our cat asleep on my chair in front of the computer. They always find the best seats in the house don't they just.

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    1. Dave, I wondered if it was the smell of their owners that made animals choose a recently occupied chair.

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  6. Seems like everyone has a different personality.

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  7. Pets are the best. I am glad Charlie is there for you and keeping you entertained. Take care, Val.

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    1. Yes, Matt, the decision to get another cat was a good one. I would feel lost without him now.

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  8. Charlie is SO cute!!! and yes, they always take over chairs, beds, you name it....When I had four cats for many years, they all had their personal spaces that the other cats understood: MY CHAIR, get lost!!! I think it's amazing how smart they are. I'm proud to be a cat person!!!

    PS: I am kind of fond of dogs too, just don't tell the Chedster!!!

    Have a good week Val! Hugs to you and Charlie.

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  9. I knew you would understand, Geraldine, lol. I had dogs for as many years as I had cats, love them both. I promise not to breathe a word, as requested. Just hoping Chedster can't read.

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  10. Gosh that made me sad. Poor Lee, poor you.

    We had two Burmese cats and one was much more affectionate than the other, even though they were half sisters. But they loved each other the most. My partner killed one of them by mistake and it makes me sad writing about it even though it happened years ago. They are lovely companions.

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  11. I am not surprised you felt sad writing about it. I too would have been devastated. I often wondered what it would be like to have two or more cats. I was only ever 'allowed; to have one. Wondering if it's too late.

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  12. This post brought back memories, Valerie, as I also had a cat that I named Charley (different spelling). He would somehow know whenever my car was pulling in and jump on the kitchen window sill to greet me with meows. And, it's been said that humans never really "own" a feline and I do believe that is so true. Your Charlie sounds like a delightful companion.

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  13. Sweet story about Lee and what we can remember after many years about the pets we had, and loved.

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  14. You know, have known, sweet little cats. The photos are great and I loved Lee’s story and how much he loved you.

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    1. Hi Denise, I've been lucky with cats and dogs. It must be the way I treat them.

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