I'm going to be totally honest, I talk to my cat Cleo more than I talk to any human being; I talk to her constantly and in her own way she talks back. She's my constant companion and is one of the top three most important things I have in my life.
Last year in July I lost my other cat, Merlin. He was my best friend over the twenty two years I had him and when I realised I had to have him put down I was inconsolable; I've lost humans that didn't mean as much to me as Merlin. He was a big part of Cleo's life too, she was a stray kitten that came to me ten years ago, and he loved her so completely. I was worried she would fret, which she did, when he was gone but I managed it and with working from home due to the health issue currently going on I was able to ensure that she was ok as I was always there.
Now she's well, has taken over the household from Merlin, running it I mean, and has immeasurable value to me. She's a good cat; sleeps a lot, cuddly and snuggly and seems to always know what to say when I need her support. She's gentle, loving and a little playful when not sleeping...Which she does a lot. But she's a rascal too!
Cleo has taken to sitting on the top of my pay-TV box thingy; you know, the tuner thing. It generates heat and it vents at the top so she sits there and looks out the window for her friend Felix (A name I gave a cat that comes to say hello to Cleo now and then). Cleo isn't allowed outside so they make eyes at each other through the window - They're in love a bit I think.
The problem is that the heat can't escape the tuner-thingy when she sits on it and her fur gets inside it; I'm safety-conscious and so that's not acceptable. I've tried to dissuade her from doing it but she keeps sitting on it after pushing whatever I place on top of it onto the floor. She watches me when she does it too...Push. Slide. Push. Slide. Push...Fall.
At that point she looks at me with a yeah, so what of it sort of expression and settles down in her warm spot. I decided it was a battle I wasn't going to win and sought other solutions. Besides, she always gets her way around here anyway, no point in fighting it.
Today I decided to solve the situation with a false top.
I cut a piece of marine-ply sheet the same size as the unit, glued some 1.5 inch high runners to the left and right edges then used Velcro to secure it to the top of the box. This allows the vents to exit the hot air and permits Cleo to sit on it whenever she likes.
I'll be honest, she was a little indignant at first but then the need for sleep overcame her dislike of my handy-man efforts and she settled down to gaze out the window looking for Felix. She was soon asleep.
The French poet Anatole France has the right of it, the quote above. I love Cleo with all my heart; sure, she's a cat but to me she's far more valuable to me and my wellbeing than most humans and provides far more enjoyment and happiness for certain. Pets are a special part of life and I'm so blessed to have had several amazing ones including Merlin and Cleo. Yes it hurts when they leave but I'd suffer that pain a thousand times over just to have them in my life.
So tell me, have you ever made accommodations in your house to keep a pet happy? I'm betting many do. Feel free to tell me about it below, or simply tell me about a special pet you have had, or still have. And don't worry, Cleo didn't really go bad...I couldn't see her that way even if I tried!
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Discord: galenkp#9209
😂
Nuff said.
Oh my goodness yes...! What a good solution for Cleo - after all, having your butt warm is an ESSENTIAL part of napping.
I recently completely dismantled my personal altar after one of our boys, Mr Gin(ger) knocked off and broke a ceramic goddess icon that I schlepped back from Glastonbury decades ago and meant the world to me. I looked at all the broken bits and an indignant Mr Gin, who had been woken by the noise of the crash, and finally-calmly decided I've probably outgrown the need for "things" to symbolize my spirituality. So I dismantled the altar and Mr Gin is pretty happy with his much-larger sleeping-napping spot. 😆
It sounds like Merlin was an amazing companion. 🐱
Lol...You see? Mr Gin taught you a valuable lesson!
Isn't it amazing the power they have to do so? I can't be angry at mine, ever. I just work around it, as per today.
Merlin was an amazing little fellow; I miss him so much.
Mate, my life is a constant battle finding balance between 'my chickens free range' and 'my garden is a fucking mess'.
Lol...Bloody chickens. If they didn't lay eggs they'd be in the oven!
Good for you. Because of living under the minimum wage, my life is sometimes a battle (having to choose) between paying rent/bills and buying food. I would gladly live that chicken battle life anytime. I think that I could say that "my life is a fucking mess", instead of "my garden is a fucking mess", but I try to refrain from vulgaric expressions.
Either way, I can still give you some !PIZZA.
Greetings from Hungary.
@riverflows! I sent you a slice of $PIZZA on behalf of @xplosive.
Learn more about $PIZZA Token at hive.pizza (4/10)
If there is a pet in the house, they have this uncanny ability to slip into your heart, I think. They all have different personalities, and each and every one of them turns out to be their own kind of special. I had two kitties, and they were brother and sister and were born in my garden on Christmas Eve on a cold San Antonio, Texas night. (it gets cold there, despite what people say!) I digress.
I wasn't going to keep them, I moved too much... but I, did and I was only keeping the male for a week or so, to make the transition easier for the little kitty that I was keeping. I never could let him go, he had such a fun and sweet personality. It was love. He is the grey one. Miss Kitty is the Calico.
They loved each other. When he wanted to be pet, he would come up to me and gently tap my leg with his paw. Really. It was so adorable. He would only sleep in the dogs' bed and then swat my Dalamation across the nose if she tried to nose him out. He is a cuddler and wants nothing to do with a cat bed. He would rather have you hold him. Changes? Yes. Small things that you don't even notice, but, everyone else does. :)
Great picture; Merlin and Cleo slept like that too.
They are such great personalities, cats. Funny as hell too. Cleo does all sorts of thing that make her unique and I had to laugh when you said about the paw-tapping. I get that in the face when I'm sleeping if Cleo wants breakfast. If that doesn't wake me up she resorts to cold nose pokes in the eye. Does the trick.
She's, right now, sleeping on my legs, towards the end of the bed. If I move she just moves around and gets comfortable. She's been. There all night. 😊
Every animal have a soul, just like people. They are all able to feel. To give and receive emotions, especially love.
I had read somewhere that people who talk to their pets are kind hearted kind of people. Cleo is so cute btw and lucky enough to have a Friend like you who talks to her and you're lucky too I guess because you've got someone who can listen to you😄❤️
When I was a kid, my grandma had a kitten. My grandma had named her maano. Maano was so obsessed with my grandma, When my grandma left this world, that was the last time we saw that cat too. She left as if she knew that her friend is gone too. I've never been able to have a pet since then.
Pets get very attached to their owners and it's not an uncommon thing for the pet to go missing after the demise of their owner. Sad though as I wonder what happens to them.
Yeah, Cleo is a cutie. Such a loving cat...But doesn't like other people much, she runs and hides if someone knocks on the door.
Cats don't share their things not even their owners and this is a cute thing about cats. They don't get familiar with new people easily. Comfortable in their own comfort zones❤️
Haha I understand you perfectly
My three children, each his space, each his righteous, each his character.
And the last Lur being a Maine with, at one year old is bigger than Ramses and Argi.
She owns the table and under it, the window as you can see today in my post for #caturday that I will prepare in a while. 😺😹😻
I have taken my things for her, I do not regret it has come to brighten our lives and the hearts of Ramses and Lur
They're like people right? Mine is anyway...I'll look out for your post.
If they are like people
Ramses is cuddly and jealous you have to give him a lot of pampering and he is very talkative.
Argi is an elegant and silent lady
Little Lur is in her teens so her character is rambunctious and funny.
I have not published it yet but Lur always has something to tell hahaha
I love how cats have personalities, moods and emotions. It makes them more interesting to me. I like how one needs to earn the affection of a cat.
If so and they choose their favorite owner and you don't get mad at them because it's not you,
I'm exactly the same I think! Prefer pets to humans and I talk to mine as well as sing to them. I don't think they mind my terrible singing..lol. I even wave to the outside cats when I see them walk by the window. I like to think they are saying "hi" back when they look up at me. All of my pet companions have been special to me but two that stand out the most are "Woody" my guinea pig that died many many years ago. I easily cried three days over that little pig and still do occasionally and the second would be "Friendly" my cat who passed recently and I swore I didn't want another pet but then "Casper" came along. Of course "Tiger Roland" and "Munchies" (both cats and both passed) are still very dear to my heart. Right up there with "Friendly"! Lots more and I could go on but will stop here.
Glad you found a solution to Cleo wanting to nap on that "tuner-thingy"! I would've worried also but it was a great idea that remedied the situation.
I'm sorry for your loss of Merlin! I like to think that we will see our much loved pet companions when we, eventually, make it to the other side. 💖
Munchies! What a great name! 😁
They become like family right? I get the waving thing too...I wave to Cleo as I leave for work, through the window or sliding door. I often think Bout them during my day and wonder what they do. (Sleep).
I was so lucky to have the work from home thing last year as I got to spend so much time with Merlin and of course after he left. I know how you feel. Missing him now can still make tears form. I tend to hold them quite well, you know, man and all, but sometimes not.
Cleo is loving her tuner-thingy sleeping-platform as warm air from the unit adds some warmth to the wood still. A win win situation.
I wish we didn't have to lose pets ever again, but we will. We will go on...But it will hurt also. We will accept that for the joy of having them though right?
She was the sweetest cat too! 💖
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one that waves to my pets..lol.
There is nothing wrong with shedding tears for our loved ones and that is what they are really.
Totally agree and it never gets any easier but it is worth it for us and them as well. 💕
HA!! She wil find a way to revenge upon you for this. They never forget. Or forgive.
Its funny how they just choose a spot and then that is it. Its theirs!
Yep indeed. She rules my house, tells me what to do, when to leave, stay, cuddle her, leave her alone, when to feed her, how much to feed her, wants my vanilla custard and tuna sandwiches...She's the boss. But I don't mind. 😊
She's lovestruck by that other cat. Sits and waits for him. He poked his head over the fence today and she's all with the come hither you sexy boy looks. Gets all miserable when he's not around...Then sleeps. She's funny. Loves her dad though, and that suit me fine. 😉
Hehe, tuna sandwiches. I almost had to give up eating them for the noise that one of mine, Shady, makes.
Aye, loves her dad that's what matters!
Cleo hears a can of anything opening from anywhere in the house and she's like TUNAAAAAAA!
Yup, I can flick the ring on a tin and boom,I am surrounded!!!
Excellent way to solve the issue and keep the peace👍
Lol...Gotta be innovative with the pets around huh?
Indeed one does.
Losing a pet is very hard...
I also cried over my dead parrot((
Galen, we should invite Felix!
Let Cleo enjoy meeting his friend!
Felix is a rascal; only jumps the fence now and then. I think he's playing the field with all the ladies of the neighbourhood so I don't want him anywhere near Cleo...She's too young! 😂
What a thoughtful father you are! 😺
Galen, I’m so sorry!
I don’t have Discord, so can I ask?
I’m writing a post to the weekend community about my vacation trip to another city.
But the post is very long...
I mean, I have a lot of photos, like 30 ...
Can I split the story into two posts?
Or is it better to reduce the number of photos and take one post?
A? ))
Thirty is a lot. Try cutting any out that are similar. Also you can do it over two posts if you like. Call it blah blah blah part one and blah blah blah part two or something like that then post them a few days apart maybe? It's your choice though, you'll not get penalised for loads of photos, it can just feel a bit long for some, or repetitious. I often use collages if I have a lot of photos too.
Thank you! Collage is the way out!
I handed my phone to @pooky-jax and said please read this, if it is bad news I do not want to see it...
She handed my...
(formerly compromised, but now De-Ghoulgooled) gov track and trace device right back to me...
She said..:
WTF @galenkp !?!
You stealing my girl..?
Lmao...
I been teasing her about her new crush.
I'd not do that to you bro. I got your six man, as it should be.
Cleo is such a pretty girl!
Posted using Dapplr
She is indeed. Good listener too...And good cuddler. :)
Accommodate is a huge understatement here at the Pookyville Cat Ranch...
You know we are on the same Page Sir Galen.
So many accommodations Here. Too many to even begin to list. So I will just post a picture of one of them.
360° view of the Catification room.
Ah yes I recall your cat run room. You're a mad bastard you know, but in truth I know it's not your fault. The cats made you do it.
Your post was purrfect...
You are correct, they worm their way into our hearts, then posses and control us... LoL
Photo of the Prime Movers Command & Control Center.
And one of Me, working hard piloting the Mover, trying to jeep them safe and secure...
Lol...Typical...They're sitting around doing nothing while you're doing all the work.
Exactly.
When I lost my previous dog I was an absolute wreck for a week. I bawled. This was 13 years ago and I still miss her. I loved that dog. Now I've got another dog and cats and, yeah, attached to them. What did we do to deserve them? I really don't know.
My cat used to enjoy getting up onto my desk and getting right in my face while I worked. It got to be an ongoing joke with my work colleagues as the cat would make routine appearances during our Hangouts. I ended up putting a cat sized box on the corner of the desk and, lo, she ended up not getting in my face anymore; she would not, however, curl up in the box. Instead, she would curl up right beside it, as if to flip me off one last time.
They're such cool little things; little people really. Merlin used to sit and build Lego with me. He'd sit for hours and just watch me build. Cleo does it a bit, but she wants to sit on the instructions...Probably so I have to stop and administer cuddles.
Where would we be without them!
Hi, I had a Margariteña parrot named Rosita, she was very cute, she talked a lot, she learned many words among them her name, when she had to leave it hurt me a lot, I still remember her with nostalgia, that's why I understand your pain when Merlin left, I am touched by the way you love Cleo, take good care of her, pets are faithful and great friends.
It's so sad when they leave us. I often struggle with the question, did he/she know how much I cared. I mean, they can't talk back so who knows. I like to think they did though. Rosita sounds like a character! Did she learn any bad words?
Not only did we teach her good words, she would say everyone's name at home and back then there were 8 of us, run, run, daddy, mommy, among other words.
Ah ok, maybe it's a guy thing to teach bad words? 🙄
Es dulce saber que tienes esa conexión especial con los gatos.
I don't read Spanish but I think maybe you said something like, the connection with cats is special. I agree.
Yes I meant that you have a connection with cats and that's lovely.
Yes, figured. Thanks for your comment.
I love your post, good job!
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Cleo just knows her place, that's all :) Queens have to rule their kingdom, don't they? Maybe try getting a pet heating pad and put it there, and move the tuner? Or is the false top ok with her?
She loves the false top...The warm air keeps it warm still and blows out the sides so she hangs he legs off. She'll sleep anywhere that one! (Including on my head at night.)
She sounds awesome :) What type of play does she like?
Mainly sleep-play.
Nah, she likes cuddle-play, little mousey toys, being carried around everywhere I go and helping with the housework, locking doors and stuff...It mainly involved me cuddling her and doing all the work though.
Mainly sleep-play actually.
lol the locking people out game sounds interesting!!! Sleep is overrated!