A little cat talk.

If you want the best seat in the house ~ move the cat.
The boys are growing...& their personalities are becoming more apparent. What is surprising is how their personalities show. Kirby does this whole Mr Independent thing & he's definitely been the lad itching to get out our door & explore but having got there he shoots for home the first time anything spooks him & he is the one who hides under the couch on Sunday & won't show even a whisker if there are children about.




Despite the fact Marlow is more reserved & requires very gentle handling he has coped much better with the children. He hangs round out in the open on Sundays accepting whatever cuddles come his way though the children's sudden movements will have him cringing. However we invariably have chicken on Sundays & Marlow goes berserk at even the whiff of chicken about the place. Kirby loves his chicken too ~ but not enough to brave a roomful of strange children.

Kirby is our thinker. As part of orienting them to their new surroundings I was taking them outside with me: out the bathroom door to the clothesline; out the living room doors to the verandah; out the front door to the path & garden making sure they knew where the doors were
You know what cats are like. They were skulking about the place for days, bellies almost dragging along the ground, tails in the dirt, noses working overtime & as skittish as all come. As Kirby seemed determined to escape at any cost it seemed wisest to make sure he knew how to get himself back in ~ or at least to a door where someone would spot him. Eventually they were brave enough & interested enough to stay while I wandered in & out. When I wanted them I simply banged a plate. Guaranteed to work every single time. Marlow shot under the verandah, pounded up the ramp & bolted straight for the living room door. Kirby hesitated at the corner of the house before following suite & glanced back at the bathroom door. He knew that was the one he'd come out of. I was fascinated that he realised he had more than one option.

Both the lads are incredibly affectionate & will purr at the drop of a hat. With Kirby though it is always on his terms & he loves to get up under your chin & smooch, which is a little close for comfort. Dearest's beard gets a real workout. Kirby loves it & was fascinated when I trimmed it. Marlow will accept being picked up & cuddled but if he is feeling neglected he sits at your feet waiting patiently to be noticed. Anyone foolish enough to continue to ignore him will suddenly feel the needle fine points of his claws sinking through their pant leg & gently resting on their skin. I tell you, it's a real attention getter!

They are such good mates too though boylike the wrestling matches get out of control at times. Just the same I was taken aback to pull a sharp snaggley kitten tooth out of Marlow's fur ! Using your brother as a teething ring is just a little out there.