Our First Christmas

The blind guy didn’t celebrate Christmas, so when my girl decided to decorate, I didn’t even care. But of course Spot did. He just had to attack the tree. He was such a kitten! Honestly. I just didn’t care. It was such a little tree. It wasn’t worth my time. There wasn’t anything to sharpen my claws on. It was much too small to climb on.

She had a tendency to give each of us a can of tuna for our Christmas dinner. Delicious. It made me love her so much. She never ate it, so we didn’t have to share with her. In fact, my girl refuses to eat animals. Yet, she had no problem giving any to us. She must have known what we needed to eat.

I do know she didn’t like our food. She didn’t care for the smell. I’m not even sure she knew how to prepare it. Whatever she gave us was already prepared and portioned. She knows how to cook, but I guess she doesn’t know how to deal with animals in cooking. She seemed healthy to me for a non-cat person.

With that first Christmas, we had a few presents near the tree. She even had some. She opened them for us. Not too exciting. They were toys. Spot loved them. I didn’t care. Eventually, she stopped celebrating Christmas with presents or even special meals. She just lost interest. I do know she prefers calm, quiet days to the craziness of the ever popular holiday of Christmas.

I can’t say I blame her. I don’t like too much excitement either. Let me sleep and meditate. Then I’ll be a happy cat. As I said, I don’t care for any part of Christmas, except for the tuna treats and catnip. Other things just aren’t as exciting or even interesting. Yet, as you can see from the pictures that Spot thought it was playtime when my girl was decorating a little tree.

Can you believe that kitten? Having to grab the garland as she is trying to decorate such a little tree. Then after she has it completely decorated and the lights plugged in, he had to knock it down. I hear there are humans who don’t put up Christmas trees because they live with cats. There are other cats like me who don’t care. But I suppose for the more playful cats, such as Spot, it’s a wonderful toy to have in the house.

Perhaps it’s a great toy for those cats stuck inside all day. Those forbidden from going outside at any time. Well, okay, perhaps a real Christmas tree is a wonderful to have. You can climb it. You can hide in it. But this tree my girl had was too small for either of those things. That’s why I wasn’t interested.

I can’t say I blame my girl for not liking the popular Christmas holiday. It can be too much. Spot and I once saw a family gathering she had to go to. We watched from the loft. It was much too much. Too much food we weren’t allowed to have. Too many presents. None were for us. There was a huge mess below us that the humans had to clean up.

And why? What was the point? If they were cats, they wouldn’t have cared about the lack. I still had my girl and Spot. That was all that mattered to me. I don’t need such things as all those presents or a huge dinner. Tuna and catnip are good. I like to have a safe, stable, permanent home with those I love. What more could I ever want or need?

January 1, 2020 0

Personalities

In case many of you humans didn’t notice, we cats do have different personalities. We’re not all identical just as you are not. Some of us, like me, are curmudgeons. Some are super sweet, as Isis and Nuri are. Some are playful, like Spot. Others hyper, as Nuri gets at times. Some are quite laid back, as I am.

Until you get to know us, you may not know what we are really like. For example, I was always good about asking for food and water. And of course demanding my litter box be cleaned out once a day. Spot, on the other hand, would never ask for such things. Instead, he’d get mad that it wasn’t done and knock things onto the floor. When that didn’t work, he finally went over to my girl and asked for food.

Even Nuri doesn’t complain if my girl forgets to clean out the litter box. I don’t understand that. I know my girl has had some trouble remembering due to a concussion and post-concussion or just being distracted by something else. But you’d think Nuri would say something to get my girl’s attention on this matter.

Well, that’s just how it is. We’re all different, yet we’re all cats. We at least have a few things in common with each other. Just remember that we have different personalities and you should be able to get along with us all.

January 1, 2020 0

Cat Quotes 2:01

I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. —Jean Cocteau

I’ve lived with cats for a long time. Then they all died and I didn’t get another one for several months. Those were horrible months. A home just isn’t a home without at least one cat. My lesson has been learned.

There is, incidentally, no way of talking about cats that enables one to come off as a sane person. —Dan Greenberg

As a person who is certified insane, I don’t worry if I sound insane whenever I talk about cats. I know how contradictory they can be. It doesn’t bother me since I learned to love them all unconditionally.

January 1, 2020 0

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Julius and everyone here at Sir Socks Le Chat. We hope you have a happy, healthy start to 2020!

juliuscutesleeping — photo by Clarabelle Fields

January 1, 2020 0

Essential Cat Care (Monthly Cat Care Article)

Disclaimer: the staff writers here are not vets nor are they qualified to give medical advice. This article’s purpose is strictly to share stories/information and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Please take your cat to the vet if you suspect anything might be wrong with them. Your vet will know best what to do in your specific situation.

If you’re reading this magazine, especially if you’re a regular reader, chances are you already have a cat or three — or, at the very least, are a cat lover like the rest of us here. Although it would be easy to assume that most of our readers are already familiar with the basics of cat care, it’s also possible that some readers might have never had a cat of their own or have come here to learn more about what life with a cat is like. Julius’ post this month highlights a lot of the things cats enjoy doing and having in their home. This article serves to outline the very basics of cat care, what cats need, and what to do to prepare for bringing home your first furbaby.

Before you bring your kitty home, you will need to cat-proof your house and make sure it’s safe for your new friend. You will need to safely store cleaning products and other potentially toxic items out of your cat’s reach. Remember that cats are very agile and can climb. They will be able to jump onto high shelves and climb into cabinets and drawers. You might want to purchase locks or baby-proofing supplies to prevent your cat from investigating places you don’t want them in.

You will need to purchase a cat carrier for transporting your cat. Many shelters will give you a temporary cardboard carrier to take your cat home, but it’s a good idea to purchase a large, sturdy one for safer transport, especially since your cat will need to visit a vet very soon (see below).

Most cats are low-maintenance pets. Some, however, will require more intensive care and attention than others. Very young kittens, very old cats, and cats with special needs or certain health conditions will need more attention than “average” cats. Some need special diets or need medicines administered regularly. When adopting a cat, it’s good to familiarize yourself with any health conditions they might have and what care they will need in the future, including vaccinations. As soon as you get a new cat (or even before you adopt the cat), it’s important to find a veterinarian and consult with them about your cat’s specific needs.

Your cat will need a safe, quiet part of the house that can be theirs. Cats love having boxes and other hidden cubbies where they can hide. They also like having access to soft beds and cat trees.

Your cat will need food/water bowls and a litter box. Their water should be replenished at least once a day. Consult with your vet regarding food choices and an appropriate feeding schedule. Their litter box should also be changed frequently, especially if you are using litter that is not odor-absorbent.

Your cat will appreciate having toys to play with. There are many kinds of toys to choose from, and it might take some trial-and-error to figure out which ones your cat likes best. Your cat will also benefit from having access to a scratching post. It might not completely prevent them from clawing your furniture, but it might help.

Your cat will also need grooming supplies, such as nail clippers and a hairbrush. Trimming your cat’s claws is a good way to protect yourself from scratches, as well as reducing damage to your furniture. Brushing your cat regularly promotes bonding between the two of you and helps prevent hairballs.

Getting a cat can be overwhelming, but it is also extremely rewarding. Cats bring joy to and enrich the entire household, and it’s nice to have a furry friend around to keep you company.

December 1, 2019 0

Staying At My House: A Review

59295665_441084800010022_3630006096862642176_n — photo by Clarabelle Fields

I have been staying at the Clarabelle’s House Hotel for the past three years now. Since I’ve been residing here for so long, I thought it was fitting that I write this review to lend other cats some insight into what life would be like here should they decide to turn up meowing at the doorstep.

The accommodations themselves are spectacular. They are spacious and luxurious and will definitely make you feel like the tiger of your jungle. There are large windows for bird-watching and plenty of square meters of plush carpet to lounge on. An added plus: sunlight comes in through those windows and provides perfect places for naps and grooming. This hotel also comes with a good number of premiere napping spots — two cat beds on the floor, a cat tree, a couch, two human beds — as well as a large private litter box room. If exploration is more your style, there are several large closets to play around in, as well as a tantalizing garage, although the door to that playroom is often locked.

The staff here are overall friendly, approachable, and pleasant to be around. They are quiet and generally do not disturb you while you’re staying here. They allow you to have free range of the accommodations most of the time — with the exception of that garage. They are also professional cuddlers and masseuses and are always happy to offer you a massage or snuggle to help you feel better throughout the day. They also offer a complimentary spa service, where you can be brushed and have your nails trimmed for free. They also provide a decent supply of catnip and yarn to keep you entertained during your stay.

One downside, however, to staying here is that room service is sometimes frustratingly slow. I think if you are going to be staying in such a fancy accommodation, you should have decent room service. Room service isn’t bad all the time, but there are definitely mornings where breakfast is served late, sometimes by as much as an hour, and there are other times when room service requests aren’t met in a timely manner. I would sometimes sit by the bathroom sink and yell for 15 minutes or more before fresh water was served to me. And portion sizes are always too small here. I think the kitchen staff likes to cut corners, and it definitely shows.

Overall, I would give this place 3.5 out of 5 stars. This hotel ranks excellently in terms of space, friendliness, cleanliness, and entertainment, but it leaves room for improvement when it comes to room service and meals.

December 1, 2019 0

Coats

We cats come in a wide variety of coats. Some would say we’re different breeds. I’d prefer to talk about our coats. My coat is a tuxedo with white paws. Spot is mostly white with some black accents. Isis is a sleek black cat. Nuri is a gray tabby or a silver cheshire as my girl likes to say.

We come in different colors and patterns. Well, there are tabbies or cheshires and of course classic black and white. Not to mention calico or tortie. Some are even hairless. I bet they get cold and perhaps sunburnt at times as my girl does. So, if you live with a hairless cat, make sure they have some clothes to wear or somewhere warm to go.

I suppose a hairless cat is perfect for those of you humans who are allergic to cat hair. Don’t forget there is also a hypo-allergic cat who has hair. They look like ordinary cats. But I suppose those hypo-allergic cats could make a difference and keep you from being lonely, even when you’re allergic to our hair.

December 1, 2019 0

Cuddle in Other Languages

This month’s cat vocabulary is the word cuddle. It is an important word to cats who love to cuddle up to each other and to their human companions. They don’t all like to cuddle up on our laps. Some prefer to lay on top of us when we’re laying down.

Or they simply cuddle up to us when we’re sleeping. They may cuddle up to our legs, arms, or even the top of our heads. Our heads tend to be the hairiest part of our bodies and cats know that. When they cuddle up to each other, they are in contact with hair typically. That’s why they picked the top of our heads.

The kitten I bottle fed tended to sleep cuddled up to the top of my head. After he was fully grown, he was so big he could curl up around the top of my head. I loved waking up to him there.

Saying Cuddle in European Languages (source)

Language Ways to say cuddle
Albanian : përqafoj
Basque: cuddle
Belarusian: прыціскацца
Bosnian: zagrljaj
Bulgarian: сгушвам се
Catalan: abraçar
Croatian: maziti
Czech: hýčkat
Danish: kæle
Dutch: knuffelen
Estonian: kallistama
Finnish: halaus
French: caresse
Galician: chamego
German: Kuscheln
Greek: αγκαλιάζω(ankaliázo)
Hungarian: ölelkezés
Icelandic: kúra
Irish : cuddle
Italian: coccolare
Latvian: samīļot apskaujot
Lithuanian: priglausti
Macedonian: гушвам
Maltese: cuddle
Norwegian: kose
Polish: przytulać
Portuguese: Abraço
Romanian: îmbrățișa
Russian: прижиматься(prizhimat’sya)
Serbian: загрљај(zagrljaj)
Slovak: hýčkať
Slovenian: Občevanje
Spanish: abrazo
Swedish: omfamning
Ukrainian: притискатися(prytyskatysya)
Welsh: cwtsh
Yiddish: קאַדאַל

December 1, 2019 0

Running Away

It’s time for a confession from me. As you know from the previous chapter, I didn’t like the kitten when I had first met him. He drove me absolutely crazy. Eventually, I got used to him as I had gotten used to my girl and the fairies. But it wasn’t a gradual thing. In fact, I did something which hurt my girl very much. I ran off. I left our home and went to live outside for a little while.

I was that mad about the kitten. I couldn’t stand to be there anymore. And, well, it was time for the kitten to grow up and be on his own. I was that fed up. So, I went outside and decided I didn’t want to go back and live with my girl or the kitten anymore. I didn’t care how cold it was. I didn’t care if it would snow. Not that snow was very likely where we were. There wasn’t even grass growing in the area. Mostly just dirt.

It was easy to get out. By then, there were times when my girl would let us out or even take us out for walks. We were never outside for long. But it was good to go out. I think my girl understood that. She just wouldn’t let me out until I had learned this was my home now.

I wasn’t that far away from our apartment. My girl came out to beg and plead with me to come home. I refused at first. But there was something in her voice that touched me. She kept begging and telling me how much she missed me. I realized then how much she loved me. I began to see how much it hurt her for me to refuse to live with her.

*Sigh.* She is a whirlwind, but she is a kind and loving person. She’s as devoted to me as I am to her. She is the one I knew I wanted to be with. She had proven it to me that she was the right caregiver and caretaker for me. I just had to accept her silliness and playfulness. She is exactly what I need in my life. Even when she’s driving me crazy.

So, I went back home with her. I also didn’t tend to go outside much after that. I knew how good I had it with her as an indoor cat. I decided to stay in spite of the kitten and her silliness.

So, why did I leave in the first place? I needed a break. Raising a kitten is hard work. I was beginning to understand why my mother had left us when she did. Perhaps we had become too much for her? The kitten could take care of himself at that point. So, it wasn’t as if I needed to stick around anymore.

I had taught him all I knew for five weeks. There wasn’t more I could teach him after that. Perhaps some fine tuning or tell him more about my brother Spitter or the little bits I remembered about Inky and Paintbrush. There wasn’t much point in me talking about my girl. Spot already knew her fairly well.

But then again, I didn’t have to act like my mother. I could go back to someone who loved me and took good care of me. I could also go back to someone who looked up to me. So, in the end I went home. I was loved, adored, and admired for once in my life. I didn’t have to be like my mother. I could do what she didn’t do for me for this kitten.

I’m glad I went back even though they are both too silly for me. At least we all loved each other and were willing to get along. That’s what it means to have a real family. We love each other unconditionally no matter how much we drive each other crazy. We have each other’s backs in tough times. We aren’t willing to give up on each other. We help each other, even if all we can do if to give moral support.

There were times when we would take turns hitting each other. Not hard. Just hard enough to get the point across. The easy and simple way to tell someone else, “You are annoying me.” It wasn’t to hurt each other. We were just venting. It was how we are able to get along for as long as we are together.

I don’t regret having a family. They mean the world to me. Having a family of my own after I had lost my biological relatives wasn’t something I ever expected to find again. And it’s all thanks to the whirlwind known as my girl. It’s all her fault and she knows it.

December 1, 2019 0

Cat Quotes 1:12

If a dog jumps into your lap it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing it is because your lap is warmer. —A. N. Whitehead

That is true about dogs who want to please us. But cats it may or may not be true depending upon the cat and how we treat them. Some cats aren’t lap cats. So, they won’t lay on your lap no matter what.

Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want. —Joseph Wood Krutch

Cats are independent and brave. They don’t care what anyone thinks of them. So, of course they have no trouble asking for what they want from us.

December 1, 2019 0