I wasn’t into play very much especially when I got older. It wasn’t great whenever Spot or Isis would sneak up to me and wrestle me. I hated it. I just wanted to be left alone. I didn’t mind it when they played together. I was glad they did. Then I could ignore them and rest, dream and think about everything.
Spitter’s Cancer
Lily’s sister and littermate Spitter had cancer at the end of her life. What could be done for Spitter was done to make her comfortable, but there wasn’t much anyone could do at the very end. The cancer was too aggressive and Spitter had to cross the Rainbow Bridge. It was sad, but like me, Spitter was ready to go. She knew it was her time. She and Lily said goodbye to each other and then Spitter left to cross the Rainbow Bridge without fuss.
Cats can get cancers and it varies as to how bad it is just as it does in humans. Even when you take good care of us, we can still get sick. We all have to die sometime, but we don’t always like to suffer when it’s our time. Acceptance is the easiest and best way to go.
Nuri’s Kittens
My girl has guessed at Nuri’s past before they had met in the shelter: Nuri must have had a litter of kittens. Nuri knew she was pregnant and yet, Ali only saw Nuri. No one knows what happened to the kittens. No one at the shelter could tell Ali anything other than they suspected Nuri had some kittens. Nuri hasn’t said anything about them other than to mention she was pregnant. Nuri still doesn’t like tom cats to this day, but will tolerate a fixed one.
Ali does suspect that someone threw Nuri out on the street for one reason or another. Nuri does worry about it sometimes even now after she has lived with Ali for quite a long time. Ali can see that Nuri acts afraid she will get abused again. Ali keeps reassuring her and praises her whenever Nuri asks for food or attention or playtime. Ali keeps encouraging Nuri to do so.
Of course Nuri has a right to ask for food, love and playtime from her girl. It’s the agreement cats and humans make when they agree to live together.
Spot’s Adventures
Spot was quite a curious cat. My girl brought him home when he was a little kitten. He was so curious that after he grew up, he would sometimes sneak out and have adventures all by himself. My girl noticed when he was gone. Sometimes she would panic and ask for help looking for him. One time, she knew he was gone and didn’t know what to do. He came back later that night and she let him in.
I used to roam the neighborhoods I lived in and I understand why he did it too. But I never knew that a human caregiver could worry when one of us would go off on any adventure. We are lucky my girl knows about the dangers we face when we go outside and roam. It could be mean dogs or mean humans.
At least Spot came home and stayed home for a while. I suppose that’s why my girl did take him out on a leash a few times. I supposed it helped satiate his curiosity, but I didn’t like it. I don’t see why he needed to go outside when we had it so good inside where it was safe too.
Losing My Teeth
I’m not sure why I lost my teeth, but it happened. I lost most of them. My girl tried to brush them at one point, but I didn’t like it. So, she stopped. She found I tend to clean my teeth better after eating wet food rather than crunchies. If it wasn’t for my girl, I don’t think I would have had enough to eat at the end. She gave me wet food whenever I asked for it.
I do believe she did what she could for me and what I would allow her to do. She never took me to the vet for a dental cleaning and I would have hated it. I know she knew that. So, I never had to worry about it. At least under her care, I stopped losing teeth, but I couldn’t eat enough crunchies to stay alive because I had lost too many teeth. What I did have left were quite loose and rather useless. I could no longer hunt and I didn’t need to.
I could retire and be a senior cat knowing my girl would like after me. I could live in peace and relax knowing I didn’t have to deal with anyone bad anymore. I was safe and Spot and Isis could play with each other and leave me alone.
Nuri Wants Another Cat to Play With
Nuri couldn’t always trust other cats. It’s from the time she had to live on the street. It can be hard to learn to socialize with other cats when you have to look out. They may want to fight instead. But it’s been a long time since Nuri has lived inside and has had some better interactions with other cats.
She feels so comfortable now that she wants to play with another cat. Unfortunately, she lives with Lily who is old and cranky and doesn’t like to play. So, it’s not a good thing. Nuri’s girl will play with Nuri as much as Nuri wants. It’s not quite the same, but the best thing that can be done for now.
Ali’s girl isn’t allowed to have another cat for now. So, she and Nuri will just have to play together until another cat is allowed. This might mean that Ali uses a fake cat doll that’s closer to Nuri’s size. Nuri loves that play.
Nuri Feels Safe Outside if Ali is There Too
Like me, Nuri used to be outside. She lived on the street until she was caught and ended up in a shelter where Ali found her. So, Nuri knows about the dangers that lie in wait for any cat who is outside. I’m sure Nuri appreciates having a safe place to live inside as I do.
Yet, Nuri is so bonded to Ali that Nuri trusts her completely. If Ali is outside, Nuri feels safe to go outside too. Nuri knows Ali will protect her and keep her safe. Seems logical to me. I feel safe around Ali too.
But when Nuri goes outside, Ali panics and wants Nuri to go back inside where it’s safe. Nuri tends to oblige her. Ali knows it’s good when there is a screened in porch. Then Nuri can go outside whenever she wants. Ali doesn’t have to worry and Nuri can get fresh air and watch anyone who’s outside.
Nuri Pretends Not to Wait by the Door For Ali
Sometimes even I don’t understand feline logic. I suppose some cats are afraid they will lose their home if they break the rules their humans give them. I know it can happen, but it’s good when your humans just love you unconditionally and will put up with all of your quirks.
Nuri is so bonded to my girl Ali that sometimes when Ali is out of the house for too long, Nuri will wait by the door until Ali gets home. Nuri did bolt outside once when she didn’t see Ali much to Ali’s mom’s anxiety. Ali came shortly afterwards and cuddled with Nuri.
Ali usually works at home and so Nuri got used to it. So, it doesn’t take long for Nuri to miss Ali too much. Since Nuri bolted once, she learned the humans didn’t like it too well. So, now she pretends she’s not waiting by the door. Although Ali tends to catch her and chuckles.
I know Nuri has it good with Ali. I doubt Nuri really needs to worry. Ali will keep looking after Nuri for the rest of her life.
Nuri Bolted When Ali Didn’t Appear
Nuri adores Ali as much as I do. I can’t blame Nuri for doing so. Ali does take such good care of us cats that it’s hard not to love her as much as she loves us. Nuri loves it when Ali is around. Doesn’t matter what she’s doing just as long as she’s there. It’s a comfort to have her favorite human around.
So, when Ali stayed away for a night and part of the next day, Nuri fretted. She was beside herself. Ali never stayed away so long before. Sure there was plenty to eat and drink and the litter box was clean. But no Ali. It’s just not the same.
To make matters worse, Ali didn’t come in with her mom. It was just mom. So, Nuri did the most reasonable thing she could think to do at the time. She bolted outside to go look for her girl. Ali’s mom was scared and managed to catch Nuri to stop her. A few minutes later, Ali came inside with the mail. She had to listen to mom telling her what had just happened.
Ali picked up Nuri and hugged her. Both were happy and contented once again.
Until it happens another time. Nuri might have to come up with a good reason why Ali can’t leave and be away for so long. Perhaps it’s better that Nuri goes with Ali the next time she leaves for a long period of time.
Lily is Afraid to Go Outside
Lily is one of those cats who was born inside a house. She has never lived on the street. She rarely goes outside. In fact, she wouldn’t go out even when there was a screened in porch where she could be safe. She just wasn’t interested.
I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that. Being outside can be dangerous. There are too many humans who just can’t be trusted. It’s too easy to get into a fight with another cat. There are cars that don’t see cats. Death can chase us at every turn when we are outside.
So, when Lily got into her new home, she didn’t know what was going on. She stepped outside because her favorite human was outside too. Then her human went back inside the house. Lily panicked. She was outside by herself and didn’t know how to behave. She cried until her human opened the door to let her back in.
Lily hasn’t tried to go outside since them. The only time she goes out now is when her favorite human puts a leash on her and takes her out onto the patio. Lily doesn’t really like it even though she gets a good brushing.
It really is much safer inside. I used to be an indoor and outdoor cat. It’s not pleasant outside. So, if you can get a good human to take care of you, you don’t have to deal with the outside and all of its dangers. It’s just good to have a good home and not have to worry about getting wet in the rain or snow. Or mean dogs or humans who could hurt or even kill you.
Sir Socks Le Chat 