Remembering Bentley James

Looking back at my post on March 25th, I realize I missed something important.  That was Bentley's birthday, my late but much loved and still missed first cat.  So in memory...

Bentley James was born March 25, 1997 and passed on March 10th, 2009. 

He was just a little grey fluff ball when I brought him home in June of 1997.  And he was my baby, buddy and supervisor from our first moment together.  Here's one of his first photos:

Bentley loved baskets, boxes and sleeping in the sink.

Everyone who met Bentley loved him, and at various times he was called "magnificent" "wonderful" and even "glorious."  A cat-fearing friend of mine actually enjoyed seeing his pictures and would sometimes ask if I had any new ones.  A neighbor who kitty-sat with him wrote me a thank you note for letting her watch him!  There was just something about him.

True to his British Shorthair breed Bentley rarely meowed, but his loud rumbly purr was an awesome sound.  And he was always close at hand to supervise everything I did.

I'm lucky to have many, many pictures of Bentley, and it makes me smile to look through them and remember fun times, silly times, and cozy times with him.  If a beloved fur child is part of your family be sure you take lots of pictures of him or her.  Don't let anyone tell you it's a crazy thing to do.  Some day they will be real treasures for you and bring you happiness and comfort.

I love you Bentley!

Happy Birthday Nick!

Nick is 3 years old today, and I think he's had a good day.  I sang "Happy Birthday" to him this morning, which he, perhaps, could have lived without.  I did it while snuggling him, though, and that's something he HAS to have each morning.  He got lots of nice birthday wishes via Facebook today as well, and tonight I cooked chicken and rice for his birthday dinner.  Ok, the dinner was mostly for us, but Nick did have his own unseasoned chicken chunk and a bit of the rice on his own little plate.  The chicken disappeared quickly, the rice not so much. 

He wasn't a tiny kitten when we brought him home two years ago, so I haven't noticed the changes in him as much as I have with Nate, but here's a picture from back then...

Look how small he looks sitting in the basket of the cat tree!  Today he fills it to overflowing and it leans precariously.

And here's a recent photo, patiently awaiting a game of fetch with one of his many soccer balls.

Happy birthday sweet boy!

Find the Kitty

Cats love to hide; I'm sure you know

If you've searched for one, high and low.

Thus I present the first "hidden kitten" picture on Cats365.

(The hider is Nate)

Cat Parts

Yes, cat parts.  Several years ago I was quite involved with a cooking/recipe site on which there were quite a few cat lovers.  The site still exists but the community is nothing like it used to be.  Anyway, we used to have mini marathons of posting kitty pictures.  Sometimes we'd be more specific and post pictures of just parts of cats.  Maybe it'd be "cat ear" day, or "cat tail" day.  And I miss that.  And I'm bringing it back.  And Sandi K., if you ever read this I hope it brings back good memories.

It's "Paw Day!"

Nate Paws

Nick Paws

Seeing White

I'm finally back.  I realize there was quite a delay between Day 7 and Day 8 but certainly not due to a lack of cat antics or photographs.  They've been entertaining me all the while.  Today we were slated to get a serious snowstorm...at least 8 inches.  Schoole were closed.  People were raiding Kroger for emergency supplies (since when does steak qualify as an emergency supply??).  Anyway, it snowed during the night and driving to work this morning wasn't pleasant, but during the day most of the snow melted.

All this to lead into these photos from close to a month ago, when we actually had some accumulation on January 28th.  Todd went outside to get the snowblower going, once the snow abated, and boys found it fascinating as you can see...

 "Hey Nate, what the heck do ya think Dad's doing out there?"

 "I don't know, but I wish I was out there too!"

 "Gee, it's loud and kind of scary."

"Nah, I think it's exciting. Still wish I was out there."

And finally he got his wish, although he was perhaps a bit less excited about it once his paws sunk into the white stuff.

Snuggles

Nate is my snuggler, and he was in full snuggle mode this weekend.  When he wants love he comes and finds me, jumps up on me, sticks his head under my chin and starts to purr.  And he doesn't like to share me with the TV or my Kindle (if I move my head to the side to see either, he'll block me over and over).  And really what's more important on TV or the Kindle (or online) than kitty snuggle time?  Nothing I know of.  So warm, so sweet and something I can't control; it only happens when it's his decision.  And as time has passed and he's grown more confident in our home it's not as frequent as when he first came to live with us, so each time is special.

Shoes!

Shoes...I love them!  And most women I know love them too.  I love to look at them in catalogs and online and in stores.  Most I can't even wear, but they're so awesome!  And as you can see here Nate also has a shoe fetish.  He's not so particular about how they look, and usually the dirtier they are the better he likes them.  Here he's loving on a shoe that was just visiting

Nappers

2 posts today, 'cause I was lazy yesterday and didn't get it done.  And going with the laziness theme, here are the boys being lazy, as only cats can do

The kitties were nestled all snug in their beds...

Lazy Kitties

A rare case of bed sharing!

Nick

Nick comtemplating...well whatever it is that cats comtemplate. 

I'd like to think he's looking adoringly at me "Oh Mom, you're the greatest!"

More likely "Oh Mom, it's way past time for canned food." 

Fire Cat

Here Nate shows you why one of his many nicknames is "Fire Cat."

At the first sound of fire prep he comes running.  Once the logs are blazing nicely he flops, rolls, and sacks out.  Such a peaceful sight.

Meet "The Boys"

My first post on my first ever blog.  This is something I've long-considered, and finally I'm taking the plunge.  My intent was to start this on January 1st, and since that didn't happen the OCD part of me said "Now you can't do it 'til 2013!"  But the sensible side asserted itself and said "Watch me!"

Introductions first, since that's the proper order of things (OCD me says "Yeah!")

The 2 wonderful cats you'll see thoughout the year are Nicholas Anthony (Nick) and Nathaniel Oliver (Nate).  We adopted them from our local humane society on February 1st, 2010.  Dear Nick had been there almost all of his 9 months, so he knew nothing but life in a pen behind a gate.  Nate, on the other hand, had lived with someone and was very ready to get back to a cozy home.  Consequently when they got here Nate was at home from the moment he first set paw in the door.  Nick, however, found the adjustment very difficult and was most comfortable hiding behind or under things.  With lots of love, patience, prayer and tasty treats, though, he began to relax and even venture from his hiding places.

Fast forward just about 2 years and Nick is now a big love bug and comedian who can't wait for snuggles and rubs in the morning and when we arrive home from work in the evening.  He gallops wildly through the house knocking all rugs in his path askew, plays fetch with his favorite foam soccer ball toys, energetically kneads my arm in the morning before I get up and waits for me on the toilet lid while I'm in the shower, meowing and trilling all the while.  He's an extremely vocal kitty with a loud, hearty purr and gloriously soft tiger striped coat.  He's still rather wary of other people, though, so no one else really sees his wondful personality.  He continues to make progress, however, and when visitors arrive he might even stay in the same room (at a polite distance) rather than vanish to the basement as he used to.

Fluffy little Nate, who is often mistaken for a girl, believes himself to be a mighty warrior.  He fears nothing and will challenge such noisy foes as the vacuum cleaner and table saw.  He wasn't afraid to mix it up with Holster, a local outdoor kitty, upon sneaking outside once, but that particular instance resulted in a trip to the vet and several shots.  None the less he still attempts to escape most any time the door is opened, so we must be constantly vigilant.  Nate loves people; anyone who comes over must have come to see him.  All visitors are warmly greeted, given a coating rub of white and orange fluff and followed throughout the house.  Currently his favorite thing to play with is Q-tips, and his favorite place to play with them is in the bathtub (no water please). 

Here is our first picture of "the boys" back in 2010 in their pen at the shelter:

And very recently at home sharing the recliner:

And now loud meows are alerting me to the fact that I've missed the dinner hour and that my presence is required in the kitchen.  I believe a can of Beef Feast is on tonight's menu, at least for 2 members of our household, and so I go forth to feed the wild beasts.