I was going to post about Robert Flack today but found this wonderful video of Catarina Valente this is only an aside as I wanted to blog about Bun today who has developed into a delightfully affectionate cat.
Last night she spent an age cuddling my bare foot
She is gentle and sweet, and gentle and playful which is a direct opposite to Weaver who remains shy and remote and distant unless she is being fed.
Occasionally Weaver allows me to rub her head until a tiny purr is emitted but that’s only when I am in bed and safely under the duvet, and that contact is limited by her. I don’t push her interaction. I leave it to her, as she reminds me of Albert who limited his contact with me to head bumps.
Both cats don’t go out much. Their cat flat is open during the day, a fact they are fully aware of, but I seldom see them outside but in the evenings , when the fire is lit and the Welsh are huddled on my trendy blue couch with me, they appear around nine pm to cuddle each other in front of the log burner until lights out .
They are what I always suspected they would be
A constant backdrop to cottage life x
This afternoon I’m off to Abergele Hospital which is a tiny orthopaedic based unit in the hills. My friend Ruth has had a total knee replacement and I’m visiting her a day after her surgery .
I’m one of her next of kin contacts which moved me , and I’ve bought her grapes and a good book to read
The cottage cleaning has finished this morning with a spruce up of the patio. I’ve had enough of the work.
Time to relax a little
Firstly, I hope you find Ruth in good spirits and her knee replacement heals well and quickly.
ReplyDeleteDarling Bun, such a cuddly, loving cat. Weaver has set her own boundaries. At least she will let you stroke her, and she obviously knows where home and safety is. A cosy picture of you all relaxing and dozing in the evening, in front of the fire. Bliss! xx
Ruth looked quite perky when I saw her, thank you for asking
DeleteIt's amazing how cats develop such differing characters. You never know what you are going to get. Well done on all the cleaning, you deserve some time off. Best wishes to Ruth.
ReplyDeleteThey are devoted to each other but I’ve noticed that they only leave the house by the cat flap singularly and never together
DeleteCaterina Valente was truly gifted. What a pleasure! AND she spoke six languages and sang in 13. She made singing feel like life. Amazing. As for the cats, it fascinates me how different litter mates raised exactly the same can be.
ReplyDeleteHer timing is spot on, and she flirts with the camera
DeleteWe've had 11 cats over our 25 year marriage, and what personalities each of them were! Not one was like another. Cats choose, period. I think that's what makes some people hinky about them, as they are not like dogs who live to please. They do what they want, when they want, and that makes people suspicious of them. Now I am wanting to spring clean our home, dang it, John.
ReplyDeleteThat helps Karla, I hate to be rejected. But I respect weavers need to be separate
DeleteBest wishes to Ruth. As a double total knee replacement gal, all I can say is, doing the exercises faithfully helps to get the best outcome. When I was allowed to, I went to a local hotel pool, paid a small amount and did bicycling with my legs while treading water. Bun has turned out so well adjusted and maybe Weaver is just a little slower getting there. My dog and the house still stink from the skunk and I spent half the night chasing her to the spare room as I couldn’t let her sleep in my bed. Today I am making soup, hoping that will smell better than skunk. It seems like every week we lose a famous singer or actor but hey we are all getting older. RIP Roberta. Gigi
ReplyDeleteI’m still intrigued to know what a skunk smells of
DeleteRotten eggs, sewer gas & burnt rubber.
DeleteLovely
DeleteOn a good day.
DeleteRemind me again, which kitten had the hernia op, perhaps that made a difference one way or the other regarding human interaction.
ReplyDeleteMy two are now 1 year and 4 months. When I first met her at the RSPCA at 12 weeks old, she licked my hand and fussed me. He peeped through the pod cat flap from outside. When I got them home after neutering and recovery they were 14 weeks old, she affectionate as ever and him needing special patience to become friendly and settled, which he did after a few weeks and learning to trust. I can fuss and cuddle them both. She answers her name at the first syllable, he doesn't bother to look round, though they both come in when called. She now only wants a love when she does, but tolerates me for a quick cuddle when I need one. Lol! He likes a cuddle either way and both sit on my lap. They are still being teenagers!
Every other cat we've ever had be it as an 8 week old or taken in as an adult stray has been a real lap cat from the start. I wonder if it's because these two, although caught at 8 weeks from a farm, were in foster care until 14 weeks old with a room of
their own, or it's just their teenage personality. Either way, they are loving and friendly and will become more so as they age. All cars are different and with love and affection develop
at their own pace.
Btw, my little girl kitten developed her contact with my handyman by playing with his socked feet and nibbling his toe, a prey learning process I read.
Jean.
That's cats not cars!!!
DeleteJean.
Jean, you are right weaver was the kitten who had the hernia op, I wondered too if that was the cause
DeleteShe’s less inquisitive than Bun and more aggressive with the hapless roger
Cats are such emphatic INDIVIDUALS, aren't they. That's why I love them so. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to your friend Ruth!
ReplyDeleteMary they seem to recognise as Alpha and not to be messed with. Roger is a character to be bullied
DeleteMy (insane) cat is, at this moment, meowing to remind me that it is time for her morning treat- a spoonful of cat pate. She has also bitten my hand to really make her point. We've had her for at least fourteen years and she will not give up biting and piercing us with a claw when she feels the need.
ReplyDeleteI so often wish for a normal cat but this crazy one is who I got. She does love us, I know, but I'm sure she had a very traumatic childhood and does not know how to show it.
Weaver too is vocal . Bun is a strong silent type
DeleteBun has given you the ultimate demonstration of their behaviour we cat-owners aim for - she TRUSTS you. Well done to both of you!
ReplyDeleteThey are both home birds raymondo , I wish u could meet them, you are such a cat daddy
DeleteI'd absolutely LOVE to meet them, JayGee - or, indeed ANY other domesticated animal. Actually I'm less of a cat-daddy, more of an animal-daddy, though must admit that pussies are my favourite of all, by a wet nose, though dogs are are not far behind. It's just that pussy-cats from other houses seem to be drawn to me like a magnet, preferring to move in here rather than stay at their 'real' homes. I guess they pick up that I keep them comfortable and warm, feed them - and, very importantly, allow them SPACE without continually distrurbing them like kids are wont to do - and as I myself did as a youngster!
DeleteAnytime Raymondo
DeleteWishing Ruth good pain meds (on top of food when PO), good exercises when the time comes, and a speedy recovery. You're a good friend to take grapes and a good book and how heartwarming you're on Ruth's next of kin contact list.
ReplyDeleteOut first cat was a stray and loved to snuggle. Our last 4 cats, mom and 3 kittens born about 20 min. after mom appeared in distress at our door, were so very different and none would get in our laps. The closest any would come was to sit beside us but they were all pleasant, aside from the kitten who refused to use the litter box. Ugh!
Yes, RIP Roberta and thanks.
Hugs!
I feel better that others have had distant cats
DeleteMy ferals have all allowed themself to be petted. Only Min holds back, watching closely as I cuddle cats, and rubbing against posts. But last week, at feeding time, I reached out to pet him. He immediately darted away, but immediately came back. I was able to pet him a good half dozen times. I sensed a thawing, and it made me happy.
ReplyDeleteI do the same at feeding time , but at night when Bun is sat on me then weaver allows herself a rub and a short purr
DeleteGod job cleaning John i know it can be a bear but feels good when done and dusted... I love black cats and have had several... I think they are like a box of chocolate ... you never know what you are going to get...My first was a stray kitten that my hubby and stepson spent an hour chasing around some hedges before they caught her.. She never did warm up to us... feed me water me and leave me alone and we did... occasionaly out of the blue she would want to be near us and petted and we did...That was Shadow... My last black cat Jinx was her polar opposite.... loved being petted and held like a baby. I could pick him up like a baby flip him over and he'd land on all fours and he'd walk back over for more... miss him... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteI feel better for all these distant kitten stories
DeleteI'm so glad the kittens have settled in and are happy. A clean cottage is always a nice thing, I can't settle when my house is untidy or dirty, but I'm learning:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the video of Caterina Valente, what a beautiful voice.
She makes me smile constantly
DeleteTwo cats from the same litter living in the same house, yet very different from each other. Cats are so unpredictable.
ReplyDeleteI wondered at first if weaver had some hypoxia problems during her op
DeleteBest wishes to Ruth for a complete recovery. Rehab/physio is likely her next step. Your visit will be most welcomed.
ReplyDeleteBun and Weaver are sisters and like night and day. Personalities differ widely.
Make for more interesting stories
DeleteWishing Ruth a speedy and uncomplicated recovery!
ReplyDeleteEvenings with the twins and the Welsh sounds relaxing and comforting.
Stay safe & well, John dear.
You too x
DeleteShe was gentle too with my diabetic feet
ReplyDeleteLate to the party as usual. I hope Ruth has a swift recovery and manages the exercises without undue pain. Lovely that Bun is a snuggler, my Lenny is too most of the time. Other times he will sit near me. If I leave the house he jumps on the table on my return and yowls until I pet him then he leans against my body and slides down onto the table and leans on my arm and purrs.... Your Bun is just a little aloof, she may come round but probably on her terms.
ReplyDeleteTonight she sat between Roger and Mary
DeleteI was keeping things calm by rubbing everyone
A warm purry slipper. :)
ReplyDeleteHope Ruth has a smooth recovery and does all her physical therapy exercises as my sister said it makes all the difference with recovery. xo
ReplyDeleteWe notice while watching Brit TV that hospital visitors most often take grapes to the patient. We don't do that in Canada but it's a nice idea.
ReplyDeleteWho is Robert Flack?
ReplyDeleteHer name is Roberta Flack and she was a marvelous singer.
DeleteHa! YP read my mind. I was going to say the same thing. :D
DeleteAnother smart arse x
DeleteI love hearing about your animals . They are such characters . Glad Ruth is ok . On “down” days remember how valued you are by your friends . Such a special thing in life . Xx Bernie
ReplyDeleteThank u x
DeleteGrapes? How imaginative!
ReplyDeleteIt’s What she asked for smart arse
Delete