Basic household tasks require some re-engineering when performed in the presence of a feline. Making the bed, vacuuming, loading the dishwasher, all tasks must take into account the needs of the cat. This includes doing laundry. While the task seems straightforward, it is usually more complicated than a simple evaluation would suggest. For example, with a feline present the actual procedure for changing loads in the clothes dryer runs something like this…
Check that load is dry
Remove cat from dryer
Remove dry laundry from dryer
Remove cat from dryer
Load wet laundry into the dryer
Remove cat from dryer
Clean lint filter
Remove cat from dryer
Visually insure cat is not in dryer
Close and start clothes dryer
Where is the other cat?
I sometimes chose to skip step #4.
In the photo you might note the large bell on Ras’ collar, this has repeatedly been a useful item, saving both us and Ras from much trouble. It has also taken a couple experiments to locate a suitably Ras resistant bell that he is unable to quickly destroy.
A house is empty without some sort of furry residents. Living without cats for much of last year just seemed wrong to me. The house to quiet, without the life that makes it a home.
Our previous cats had moved from the mainland with us. A year ago we lost both in a short span of time. It was not really a surprise, both were older cats and had been with us for many years. But still, loosing such longtime companions was hard. It was a while before we brought new cats into the house, over three months. But eventually a pair of pound kittens from the local humane society were bouncing around our home.
Two active kittens, now young cats are quite the change from two sedentary, elderly cats. Life is quite a bit livelier around the house. We have had to kitty-proof many things that were in no danger before. Anything with a cord has to be put away, certainly not left dangling over the edge of a table or desk. So far I have had to replace two headphone cables and one Apple charging cord. At least I can easily solder a new cord into something.
Any small creature that ventures into the house is in mortal danger. Cockroaches? Large ants? Played with until dead and then eaten. Geckos foolish enough to use the floor? Now tailless. We have not yet encountered a centipede, something I worry about a bit. The monsters we have around here can be six inches long and pack a serious sting.
Having my feet attacked under the bed covers, a streak of grey fur wizzing past as I sit at the kitchen table, being greeted at the door when returning from work, a cat curled up beside me, purring as I read the daily news… These are the things I enjoy, and really do not want to be without.
The second feline arrived this week. Another bundle of energy wrapped in fur is now bouncing around the house.
As mentioned with Electra, household rules dictate that the chosen name is taken from stellar catalogues. I had the name chosen years ago and have oft threatened to use it… Rasalhague!
That look on your face? I have seen it already, on the face of a few folks when I mention the name. This includes the face of the Humane Society officer who gave me that same look. Try that again… I carefully pronounced it… Rass-al-ha-gway. She just shook her head and then asked me to spell it so she could type the name into the computer to complete the adoption paperwork.
You know the constellation! It should have been one of the signs of the zodiac, as familiar as Leo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. The planets and Sun do go through this pattern of stars, but for some reason the ancient astrologers decided to ignore it. I like the constellation, situated just above the galactic core it is rich in targets for a telescope.
The name will, of course, be shortened to Ras for everyday use.
So far the name fits, even if corrupted to Rascal or other variations. While the name may roughly translate to “Head of the Serpent Collector”, there are no snakes in Hawai’i to collect. We have already found one dead gecko in the house. It appeared to have run afoul of the kittens, we just do not know which one.
Anything stringy or dangling, remotely snake-like is attacked. We have had to put away anything with a cord. Even so I found that the headphones I use with my iPad were only working in one channel, no sound to the left ear. Fixed, though the cord is now eight inches shorter.
A single kitten in the house is a shock, two is sheer mayhem. The first day was non-stop chasing and wrestling. This has settled down to where they only attack each other every five minutes. There is hope… When you are not looking they are curled up with each other.
It is nice to have a lively house again, perhaps a mite too lively. I expect it will settle down… In a couple years.
Meet Electra, the newest addition to the Cooper household. Today we came back from the Kona Humane Society with a kitten. As per household tradition the name is that of a star, 17 Tauri, one of the brightest in the Pleiades star cluster.
You may notice the photo is slightly blurred, much like an electron this kitten never stops moving. Getting a decent photo is proving challenging. I am going to have to break out a faster camera than my little G11. Perhaps a DSLR in high speed burst mode can do the job, then again, maybe not.
It has been three months since we buried Adhara, three months with an empty, cat-less house. There has been something missing around this place. No fur-face looking to curl up with you when you get comfortable. No begging eyes at your feet when breaking up a roast chicken.
Meanwhile this little flash of fur has been streaking all over the house. Finding the interesting places. In and out and under everything. There are things we humans need to put away, out of little paws reach. There are other places where kittens should not go, a couple of those have been found already. But then, some things are learned only through impact.
High speed, wood floor, and screen door… Thud.
Yeah, saw that one coming.
Eventually she might slow down. Maybe? Perhaps? Before midnight?
After years of living with two elderly and mostly sedentary cats, a kitten is a real change. It will take time for us to come to know one another, eventually we will learn the routine. No regrets, I am truly looking forward to having a cat around again.
Did I say cat? Make that cats, there will be two. A second little fellow has been selected, but he is not yet ready to come home, a little surgery awaits before we can go collect him and complete the family. I will have to introduce him in a later post.
The morning routine was predictable… Moments after the first notes from the alarm clock there would be a familiar thump at the foot of the bed. That would be followed by whiskers in the face. Time to get up and start the day, which included feeding the cat.
Not this morning, nor tomorrow, nor anytime soon…
Today I buried a cat that had been part of my life for 16 years.
No more expectant eyes standing on the corner of the bed, demanding a skritch while I was attempting to dress for the day. Inevitably sitting atop of whatever clean shirt I had put there moments before. Gone is the purr from beside me while I attempt to get to sleep. I remember an escape artist that defeated my ever more elaborate barriers to keep a litter of kittens safely in a linoleum floored kitchen. I remember hot days of Tucson sun, lying in the shade of the old tangerine tree. I remember hours of yowling as we drove to San Diego, the first leg of the move to Hawai’i.
I picked her from the litter, the little grey furball. Named for the star Epsilon Canis Majoris, Adhara, sometimes spelled Adara. This star was once the brightest star in the Earth’s sky, though it has faded as it has drifted away from Earth over the eons.
Now, all we have in an empty house and freshly turned earth beneath an adenium in the front yard.