For a couple of days last week we were constantly hearing this meowing outside. We tried to ignore it but it became more and more consistent as the days went by. After awhile it was a non-stop crying all day and night. It started jumping up on our cooler and peeking into the window and then climing up the screen door trying to get in. It was just the cutest little kitten and I just felt so sorry for the poor thing out there in the cold that I brought him in and fed him. When it warmed up I let him back outside figuring with the daylight he'd find his way back home. He played and went away for a little while but continued coming back and no one in the neighborhood seemed to know him or claim him so we decided if he wanted to stay with us that badly we'd take him in. So on Thursday we became cat owners.
I have never had a cat in my life so this is all new to me. John had one when he was younger that he really loved but it ran off and after that he'd vowed not to have another cat again. Normally when strays come around, and they come around here a LOT, I get in trouble for talking to them but this time it was different. The two of them seemed to hit it off right away. This cat was so loving and affectionate, especially towards John that it was he that actually ended up letting the cat in for good while I was sleeping. For the first couple of days "the cat" would constantly sit on John's lap and only come to me if I pet him. As soon as I stopped he was right back on John's lap. Now that he's become more familiar with us and had the week to roam around and get comfortable he's not as needy. He does still insist that I not sleep while John is left alone to, go figure. It took awhile but after a few days John decided to name the little fella, Jake.
We didn't have anything for cats so I covered a pillow and put it inside a box for him to sleep in. It took a couple of days before he'd decided he liked sleeping and playing inside of it. He's also become quite a ham. He was down inside the box until he saw me with the camera then jumped up to pose.
Another place he likes sleeping is on top of my slippers. I can kind of understand that but the foot rest next to him here is very bumpy and he loves sleeping on it as well. To me that would seem uncomfortable but he will go up under the desk and fall asleep on top of it whether I'm here or not.
John sleeps in his recliner chair a lot because of his back pain and has a blanket that dangles over the edge of the leg rest. This has become a favourite place for Jake to play and also nap. He likes to wrestle with the blanket then ends up falling asleep curled up against it.
Yesterday was Jake's first trip in the truck and away from familiar surroundings. We took him in for his shots then over to Petco for a carrier so he'd be more safe on outtings. While at the shelter we were loaned a carrier to put him in so none of the dogs could get at him and he seemed to really like it. So much so that I had to drag him out once we were done to take him home. We decided it would be good to get one for him since he will be going back to get fixed next week and we plan to take him with us places once in awhile. When we got home with it we thought we'd leave it out so he could get use to it but apparently that wasn't necessary as he jumped right in and made himself at home. I tried to put a piece of carpet inside for him to make it more comfortable but that idea didn't fly with him. He attacked it right off. So he's a no frills cat I guess.
After his shots yesterday, Jake was the mellowest cat around. I think I
LOVE these shots. It was the first time since Jake came to live with us that I slept without being awakened after an hour or so by a cat pouncing on me. I went to lay down when we got home and woke up a couple of hours later to find him asleep next to me. That was a first, he has NEVER slept on the bed. He only goes up there to play and torture me. The night before I woke up to his jumping up and down on the bed trying to get the light cord hanging from the ceiling fan. I am amazed he didn't turn the light on as he got several good grabs of it.
Today he's back to normal. I was awakened this morning by the nibbling on my ears and a cat face in mine. The drawback to mellow kitty is that the next day he's super hyper kitty. Thank goodness ( ? ) he's self entertained.... He's been zipping all over the place, playing with his ball, the bell on his collar, his tail, blankets, and attacking his imaginary friends.
