Years of effort paid off as Sam finally chewed one end of the banana cat toy open, spilling catnip all over the carpet. As a younger cat he would have rolled around in it but at fourteen he was content to just bask in the glory of a job well done.
Tag: cat toy
Slowing Down
Sam has slowed down a bit in his 13th year. He still loves sleeping atop the cat tree but now he hops onto each level instead of jumping to the top in one fell swoop. He still grouses at me when I get home from work or a hike if I take too long to get settled, as he loves to jump into my lap and purr to beat the band.
One change over the past year, and I don’t know if it’s related to Ellie’s death or a coincidence of timing, is that when he first climbs aboard he likes to hang out as high on my body as he can, even up by my face if I’m reclining, before eventually going back to my lap or legs when he wants to fall asleep. As a youngster he considered that Scout’s space, and since he adored her he let her have her spot (she would have demanded it even if he didn’t). Perhaps now that all of the pets he grew up with are gone he’s feeling a little insecure, or he’s claiming it as his rightful space as the oldest, or maybe it’s just a change with age.
Sometimes he snuggles up behind my head but that’s usually when Trixie, who worships him as he did Scout, smushes her face into his when he’s not in the mood.
A Much Loved Rainbow
Boo says only fools chase gold at the end of rainbows, the real treasure is the catnip stuffed inside.
Home
Less than a week after her adoption in 2007, Emma shoves one of her toy mice under the door. She’d reach under to try to get them back but often they’d end up out of reach. When we moved and emptied the house I think we finally found all the remaining ones that had been shoved into the most obscure places, but I like to think at least one remains, a little reminder of a sweet black cat for whom this house was home.
Summertime
It may technically still be spring but it has long felt like summer to someone who didn’t grow up in the desert, including one sleepy orange tabby.
Sam Has a Question
Samwise wants to know why mornings come so early. Me too Sammy! Seems unnecessary!
Isolation
From 2007, new arrivals Sam and Emma play in the guest bedroom while in isolation from Scout. I spent most of their introductory period with Scout since we were so tightly bonded but I’d relieve my wife at times and keep the youngsters company.
Sorry To This Banana
Boo was in a playful mood after each of my three hikes this weekend so we played until he tired, my apologies to this banana cat toy that got the thrashing of its life. He’s an introspective little fellow so it delights me to also see him play with such reckless abandon.
At the End of Every Rainbow
At the end of every rainbow lies a heart of gold. But also a cat waiting to bite your face off.
Summer Sam
A quick shot of Sam in the living room, the big picture windows behind him, after I got back from a morning hike in July.
Boolie 