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Even when they numbered 13, Dee Dee considered herself The Boss. She is our most confident cat, considering it her duty to inspect all visitors:
“Who are you?” she demands.
“And what is your business here?”
“Have you brought food?”
If the visitor is a technician, she expects to assist with their endeavours, somewhat to their bemusement.
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Dee Dee’s only fear is one that she shares with cats everywhere, thunder and fireworks.
Those sounds send all our guys fleeing to the basement.
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Except Sophia, who is now profoundly deaf, which is probably a blessing for this most nervous of cats.
Now part of a greatly reduced population and with impaired hearing, her nerves are vastly improved.
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Blackie too is easily startled. The sound of a vehicle entering the driveway sends her diving for cover, as does sight of the vacuum cleaner or even the dustpan and brush.
While terrified of most people, Sophia and Blackie are the most appreciative of attention. They adore being petted and they are the sweetest creatures.
There is not a bad bone in their bodies.
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Not that I will believe any of our little darlings are bad!
It’s just that some of them occasionally have lapses…
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“Who, me?”
Willow is probably our most complex cat. She has a neurological disorder. She is highly sensitive and easily upset which leads to protests.
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Willow loves being petted too, but do it wrong and you’ll get swatted. She hates feeling restrained.
Grant tries to persuade her, since it is helpful sometimes to be able to handle your cat, but it does not go down well:
“The man picked me up!” she complained this morning.
Only once did she not protest. Much to my relief, she allowed me to carry her through security checks at Seatac Airport, presumably feeling safer my arms in that stressful situation.
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Our other grey cat loves to be picked up and carried about.
Little Man would happily ride around on a shoulder all day.
He is a cuddler. I can safely bury my face in his lovely soft fur.
(Having said this, one should always remember that cats hold the right to suddenly take offense and they have many sharp bits!)
Little Man is our only boy-cat. He is neutered, of course, but he occasionally anoints things and we are not sure why.
It is exasperating, but he is such a love, it is impossible to be angry with him.
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Having been with me for 15 years, Lily is by far the senior cat. I took her in as one of my first fosters and promptly fell deeply in love, adding her my growing personal family.
There were many others I would happily have kept, but beyond a certain number, it becomes unfair on the animals.
As it was, my friends and family rolled their eyes at what I considered acceptable.
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My foster cats had their own suite of rooms downstairs.
When I thought one of them might fit in with my little gang of reprobates, I brought them up for a trial.
In the case of Emily and the first Willow, it simply did not work. Emily was spiky and Willow was overwhelmed. They needed more space and less competition, so they went back downstairs and eventually I found homes for them.
Lily, however, settled right in, becoming good friends with the others, maybe because she was very self-confident. She has always marched to her own tune, in recent years with loud running commentaries!
They have such unique personalities!
Thank you, Carolyn, for your wonderful portrait of your family of cats on the occasion of Cat Day.
I love your knowledge and understanding of their needs and personalities, and the photos are stunningly beautiful.
Joanna
So interesting to see all the different personalities of such a beautiful cat family. Looking into all those wonderful eyes makes me feel happy.
I didn’t know that yesterday was ‘International Cat Day’. I prefer to think of it as ‘Carolyn’s Day’.
Best wishes, Pete.
I really enjoy your stories about your cats, their different personalities, and their pictures.
They are all precious.
Thank you for sharing.
I always learn something new from your little darlings … for example, that Dee Dee’s name is actually Sasha – I didn’t know that! I have a soft spot for cats (and dogs) that are a bit nervous – and Sophia has such a gentle expression. Loved your Caturday post.
Lovely photos of all your cat family, Carolyn. Their personalities shine through in your photos.