Tales and Tails and NMCs - the Excellent Cats March On

[TheShellBeach]

Join us as 2024 starts and our cats continue to run our lives for us.

Yes, Sybil is letting the side down in her cornflake box.

🤣🤣

Sybil doesn't need to pose. She's like one of those ridiculously glamorous women who could turn up to an event in a potato sack and still outshine all the dressed-up types. She has nothing to prove.

Velvet is blessed with more beauty, energy and character than any single cat has a right to. It's too much to expect brains as well.

Well said @Anniegetyourgun! But every cat on here is an awesome cat in their own way :) Can't help but to pride myself on having a stunning little being who is equally happy posing and also rolling frantically around on the ground and then getting on my bed. Grrr, Velvet.

They are excellent cats - it says so in the title so it must be true!

Thrifty walked up to me today and gave me a "OK, so, pick me up then" stare, so I did that. She purred loudly on my lap for a minute or so, but then Izzy walked past so she had to jump off and menace her instead. Thrifty probably always was ok for picking up; we just hadn't tried it. (When we fetched them from the rescue it took ages for Ruth, with all her experience, to corner Izzy and coax her into a carrier, but for Thrifty's turn she just picked the cat up bodily and put her in.)

I told DS when he got up and demonstrated the cat lifting technique at his request. Izzy watched curiously, as if she quite liked the concept but wasn't prepared to submit to it yet. On present form it shouldn't take her long.

They are all excellent cats on this thread! Finlay is a bit of a poser though - definitely thinks he is a cut above those cats he sees on YouTube!

Finlay IS a cut above the YouTube cats. He is a very handsome and clever boy.

Clearly the denizens of 'The Litter Tray' all have vastly superior cats to those on lesser platforms.

Except Basil who just came in from outside, jumped on my lap and while turning round revealed a live slug stuck to his tail...

Walter and Benny appear to be queueing for a bus

Very dear shot, that.

Prince is upon me and the sofa. Earlier he took his nap on my back, which was restful. Now on legs - most pleasant, even when he savages my shredded wrists.

Any ideas why? He knows - now - not to draw blood, which is generally adhered to, but he can’t cuddle without fangs. I look like a self-harmer.

Linney was very keen to let Mr SB stroke him this evening, and then sat on the carpet, staring at him.
We wondered if he was hungry (Linney, not Mr SB) so Mr SB went through to open a pouch of food for him.

Linney immediately took his place on the sofa and curled up in a contented ball.

Mr SB was obliged to sit elsewhere.

Any ideas why? He knows - now - not to draw blood, which is generally adhered to, but he can’t cuddle without fangs. I look like a self-harmer.

Similar here, but Leroy does not understand the concept of "no blood loss". I think sometimes he just gets so in to it that he gets overwhelmed. Othertimes I think it's 'cause he's a vicious bastard 😂

You are very kind @RumNotRun
I love Sybil’s tousled look - with their shared love of boxes they would make such a lovely couple - imagine the beautiful kittens!!
Although Finlay is still only a kitten still - 8 months old tomorrow 😊

Oh gosh @Anniegetyourgun. Brace yourself! When cats take advice from children we all need to beware...

I am extremely lucky because Velvet is literally a baby leopard - that's what Bengals were bred for - and also the sweetest little cat I've ever encountered. But she could switch in a minute - she is one of those who will bite your hand with the softest gaze and sing you a song while she is chomping you. Such a little charmer. And potentially so dangerous. Our previous - as I've found - half bengal was named after THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN THE WORLD - if you know the Monty Python Sketch, you know, but that's the origin of the name. But he was. Grown men ran in fear of him. But Velvet is the most gentle little soul. I really would die for her. She's also got that special Bengal fur, the real sparkling silver. Sorry, I'll stop fangirling.

Oh gosh @Anniegetyourgun. Brace yourself! When cats take advice from children we all need to beware...

Annie's DS is in fact a fully grown adult and has been for a few years. Then again, he always struck me as an adult in a child's body when he was young...

@TheShellBeach classic tactics there from Linney, absolutely classic

Yes - standard MO from our cats too. Catting 101 displayed by Lenny.

DS has always been good with animals. He just exudes a placid air that works for them. He is also an excellent reader of body language, which enables him to fuss cats exactly how they like it. Thrifty claimed him for her human at first sight. DS is a cautious soul though, hence not picking up cats before being sure what he's doing. Speaking of which, I unwisely had a go at picking Izzy up last night. The scratch is healing nicely, and she's still speaking to me this morning, so it's all good.

p.s. We have discovered a new use for toilet roll centres. Make them into a low-cost puzzle toy for Izzy. They can be rolled, chewed, carried around, peeped through, and if someone puts a mouse inside it can be pulled out by the tail. Amazing! Will try to get a photo at some point but I think she's eaten the current one.

Obviously meant Linney, not Lenny (oops)

I'll save mine up for you @Anniegetyourgun , always forget to take my empty inners down so there's usually a collection in the loo. Tried mine with them but no interest.

Tobias is now tolerating the occasional passing stroke, though he has been known to do a lazy gentle swipe at my hand with no claws. Big improvement from the days of full on claws at top attack speed accompanied by aggressive hissing.

Linney immediately took his place on the sofa and curled up in a contented ball.

Knowing he'll have a nice snack waiting for him when he wakes up.

Annie, I most sincerely apologise for getting the age/maturity of your son wrong. I can't finish the rest of that unfortunately.

A few threads ago, Grumpy and I paired Sybil off with Linney.

Sybil seems to have a collection of possible husbands now.

Allergic, I think you should show Sybil's picture to your knight in shining armour, and see if Tobias can make it a hat trick.

Anyone else?

Don't forget TC wooing her too. There is definitely competition.

I'm sorry @JaceLancs but I'm really not sure what Sybil would make of a toycatboy. She was unimpressed when we got Karl and Lenny as kittens

As much as I would love for one of the tribe to be in the running for the role of Sybil's beloved, they're not worthy of her. Lexter is weird looking, Toad is a catnip addict, Frankenstein is too small, Fred would be a good match but he's quite timid. I think Sybil needs a brave cat.

I put catnip out for Lexter last night but The Fiend (Toad) took over. He has issues.

I think Sybil needs a brave cat

Or one with plenty of brass neck and chutzpah, like Picard.

If I despatch Picard, Grumpy, you'd better get a double quantity of cat food in. He has an inexhaustible appetite.