Sebastian time sharing the window seat

A couple of weeks ago we saw a documentary about cats and dogs - and found out that cats will "time share" a location. Apparently one cat might decide to sleep in a specific place early in the day and then another cat might decide that every afternoon will be spent in that same place. Although it is difficult to spot the difference between Sebastian and Angel at 10 paces, especially if their eyes are closed, a closer look at the missing fur (frostbite from prior life on street) showed us that this was Sebastian. If you look back to the earlier photo of Spike in this same bed, you will see he covers much more of the bed!

Two window watchers

This is a most unsual scene to see. The kitchen window is a hotly contested spot and even when we do open the window wide enough for two, the hissing of the main occupant, Sebastian, usually scares Angel away. (Sebastian on left, Angel on right). As you've probably seen in earlier posts, each cat is very independent and does not consider any of the other two cats to be a friend - perhaps getting close enough to share a bed but not enough to cuddle up. We had taken Girly (resident woofie) in to the vet for a checkup and purchased some topical flea treatment. The vet provided the standard procedures for application and then asked if any of our cats curled up with the dog. We both laughed out loud - no animal in our house sleeps with any other...unless you include the two-legged variety!

Mount Everest

Spike has 3 favorite activities - looking out the window (even if he has to push aside one of the other cats who is already at the window), sleeping (anywhere, anytime, in any seemingly uncomfortable position) or sitting up as high as he can possibly get(and look down at all of us with silent contempt that we do not have that incredible agility to climb up onto the various "Mount Everest"s throughout the house). He jumps effortlessly right up onto the bookcase from the coffee table and simply turns around, once he has jumped up, to survey his kingdom. He knows he is not supposed to be up there...but he also knows that it is difficult for us to reach him so he simply backs up when he sees us reach up. This puts him even further out of reach and closer to some of the other objects up on the bookcase - almost as if he is threatening to knock those down if we dare try to grab any part of his body!

A "rescue" kitty

Isn't this a darling little face? Two months ago this was a frightened little kitty, running madly in between cars on a highly travelled street. Fortunately, a kind hearted person stopped her car right in the middle of traffic, and with the help of an off duty firefighter, she was able to catch the trembling kitty and get him to safety. The little tyke was very skinny, with rough looking paw pads, indicating his life at that time may well have been as rough as his paw pads. Within an hour, he was tucked away in an office, gobbling up a can of cat food as if he hadn't eaten a proper meal in quite some time. The door to the office kept opening and closing as the many cat lovers in the building heard the news and came down for a cuddle. By the end of the day, he was ready to go home with his new owner, after she had checked with the significant other to make sure there would be a welcome at the formerly "cat..less" condo. After a little operation on the nether region and much loving, he has turned into a sleek, well fed and very happy cat!

Sunny days by the window

Most often in the daytime our cats fall asleep in the sun, with their faces turned towards the warmth. Spike, in keeping with his propensity for not following the crowd, has his back turned towards the outside. He looks so content and comfortable on his cat bed. Originally we had found a nice window bench that matched the colors of the dining room and put it in front of the window to enable the cats to have a stylish sitting place. However, in the cat world, stylish does not equal comfortable so we gave in and put the black and brown plaid cat bed there. Does black and brown plaid actually match with any decor?

I am Alpha Cat

The world according to Spike: "I am alpha cat and the rest of you are my minions, who will not disturb me when I am resting." After the first early days of hiding under the headboard, Spike's natural tendencies have surfaced and he is very clear on his position in the family. He simply glances at Girly on his way to the latest sitting spot, with a grand swish of his tail as he passes by. Girly is learning that in our house "cats rule"....but more so because they have been with us for several years and have established habits and safe havens. She has been very good with two out of three cats but is still finding her way with Sebastian. We think that perhaps Sebastian had a run in with a dog (or two) when he was out on the streets so he is predisposed to distrust any dog, no matter how friendly it may be. And of course, when he growls and hisses, then Girly growls back. Early days though...with time this should at least settle into a wary truce, with no harm done on either side.

Spike is camping out

We have two cat tents in safe locations (one under a chair and one under a coffee table), purchased and installed with the expectation that these are quiet contemplative areas for the cats to head to whenever they choose. However, one would think we are charging rent for these tents since we rarely see a cat inside. With the introduction of the new dog into the family, our cats have chosen a variety of places to spend their time, most of which are well away from the dog. In fact, Sebastian is currently sitting on top of the fridge, knowing full well that Girly cannot get anywhere near him! Spike decided that it was time to get out of the hustle and bustle going on and find a comfortable spot from which to observe the proceedings. He is still our alpha cat in all ways and it is just a matter of time before Girly realizes that the alpha cat trumps any dog that joins the household.