You see, I told the cat
that we have things to do today.
And what did he have to say?
Nothing, because he
is still fast asleep,
monopolizing my lap.
Priorities…
So, I suppose the work can wait.
After all, what’s a little
procrastinating
between feline and friend?
Guess I’ll just have to wait.
(But seriously, may we all be so loved and wanted as Graham and me on Monday morning when Merlin basically demands all of our attention to play and cuddle. I wouldn’t change a thing.)
And sometimes,
friendship
truly feels as simple as
sitting quietly
together
(waiting for your humans
to drop some food
on the floor).
But in the best way possible.
Seriously, is there any higher honor than being chosen by a cat? (He did eventually get up. Then we went to bed. And he slept on my foot.)
I know y’all are probably tired of Merlin content, but just look at him:
He’s growing so fast! And I feel like we only brought him home, like, a second ago. How time flies!
She needs some attention, too.
With a new kitten in the house, and with how much I’ve been talking about Merlin here on the blog, I know Annie’s feeling a little left out. Don’t worry – she’s getting plenty of treats and cuddles. But I know it’s an adjustment for her. And she’s handled Merlin so well. They’re not friends yet, but they keep getting closer and closer to each other, and Merlin occasionally makes a move to play with her. Maybe one day, she’ll actually respond!
Annie’s going to be thirteen this spring, and we’ve had her since she was a tiny puppy.
She’s so sweet, and much slower than she used to be, but she’ll always be our puppy girl. Dogs love us in a totally different way from cats, and Annie is the first dog I’ve ever had. I’m so glad I get to be her person, though she’d tell you, if she could talk, that Graham is actually her person and I’m the other one. Doesn’t matter.
She’s a good dog. And if I’m even a small part of making her happy, then I’m happy.
As most cats do, Merlin has found the laundry basket. And claimed it.
Cats, y’all…
But seriously, this little kitten – who won’t be little for long, judging by how fast he’s growing – has brought us so much joy since we brought him home. I’m grateful. I firmly believe that cats, if we listen, can teach us the value of slowing down, of being quiet and still, of observing.
And of a very good nap. (Yes, even on a busy Monday.)
He’s new here.
No cat could ever, ever replace my sweet Gatsby, and I know I’ll always have a Gatsby-shaped hole in my heart. But we’re so happy and excited to bring Merlin into our little family, and I know that there is always space in the heart for more love.
He’s about four months old, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to be a big kitty. He’s silly, playful, affectionate, curious, and obsessed with feathers. He’s settling in well, and Annie has been…well, not friendly, but tolerant. I think they’ll get along fine. Eventually.
I’m just so grateful that we get to be his humans. Welcome home, Magic Cat.
Y’all, I just had to share one more picture from our beach getaway.
Now that we’ve been home for a week, Annie is up to her usual antics – barking, guarding the back window against deer and groundhogs, generally being sort of loud and energetic.
She was a different dog at the beach. As you can see.
Calm, sleepy, relaxed, easy-going. I’m beginning to think our country puppy who loves the snow and cold is actually A BEACH DOG! Who knew?
Life is full of surprises, isn’t it?
Happy Monday, y’all! Here’s a picture of Gatsby, taken with Graham’s new camera earlier today.
I just had to share, and I hope his handsome face makes you smile.
Gatsby’s sixteen, and in addition to the eye issue he’s been dealing with, we know he has a heart murmur and kidney disease, which is not advanced, thankfully. He’s also had some digestion issues in the past couple of years, which seem to have settled for now.
I adopted him when he was a kitten and I was nineteen.
We’ve basically grown into adulthood together.
It’s funny, watching a beloved pet get older. I still look at him and see the scruffy little kitten he was, even though he’s going gray and he’s slowed down quite a bit. He used to play fetch. He used to play at all, for that matter. His days now are filled with naps in the sunshine and cuddles and snacks. It’s quite a life.
It’s been a quite a life.
I don’t know how much longer this sweet old man has, but I will treasure every second I get to spend with him.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 