Mary, queen of cats

This past week I went back to work and for Mary it meant back to being locked up during the day. She adapted pretty quickly as she always does, but Monday morning we had to deal with a bit of sulking. She was sitting on the bed, very clearly with her back to us – you had to be a complete idiot not to get the message. I went and sat next to her and ever so lightly started stroking her. She simply got up in a huff and went and sat on the other side of the bed, with her back to me.

The upside is she is milking my guilt and getting treats galore! Except, now she expects treats. The moment either my partner or I walk towards the kitchen, madam is there, right in front of the treat drawer, looking at us with big googly eyes and the sweetest look on her face. It is incredibly difficult not to give in.

The weather has been bad for Mary – it has been really cold and raining buckets. This of course is good news for us as she is inside with us all the time and she likes to snuggle. She was snuggling up tightly against me the other night as I fell asleep and feeling the rise and fall of her soft warm little body and hearing her breathe next to me…..it was the best damn feeling in the whole world.

Mary fell in love with the rug/mat we put on the bed. Whenever we put our hands close to the rug, she goes all psycho on us. Mind you, very often she does not need any provocation at all. Out of the blue she would just start attacking either the rug or herself. The once she even spat loudly twice in a row which of course had us in stitches!

I love Mary so incredibly much. I can’t wait to get back from work during the week to see her. I wish I could let people know what a massive joy it is to share your life with a cat – not only do they love you unconditionally, but they truly enrich your life and bring beauty and joy to it.

Mary on her mat/rug on the bed, cleaning herself in the Sunday afternoon sun

This one speaks for itself!

Sleeping on top of her “house” instead of inside

Exploring the new furniture

So I was on leave this week and planned to spend at least two days with Mary. That of course, did not happen. I managed to put my foot down and spend one whole day with her. I was out most of the time and left her window open. This changed Mary. I have not seen her this happy in quite a while.

But of course, Mary does things that we simply don’t understand. The window is open, but she prefers to stay inside. The moment the window closes, she HAS to go out. This makes little to no sense to me. I wish I knew what went on in her mind.

I moved the furniture around inside the apartment, and Mary now has her own little “jungle gym”. This “jungle gym” comprises her two stands on either side of two big trunks I placed on top of each other. These trunks are covered with a large piece of textile and on top is her blanket, neatly folded up. This construction is place by our big window. When I open the curtains, she has the most magnificent view. But NO. Madam is scarcely interested in this beautiful little nook. She has chosen a new mat next to my partner’s side of the bed, which she frequently “attacks”. We have even gone so far as to put this mat on the bed and man she was as happy as a pig in poo.

On a more serious note – two cats of the same unit on our complex disappeared on the same day. I find this massively disconcerting. One cat missing, one can understand. But two cats from the same household on the same day?

We will have to keep a very close eye on Mary.

Thank you to all of you for your wonderful comments It is hugely encouraging!

Typical of Mary Mary Quite Contrary, she is dealing with winter in a strange way. She loved being outside when it is wet and cold, but when it is dry and cold, she comes inside. This does not make for a pleasant experience for us. As mentioned before, wet cold cat is not all that charming, especially when she tries to snuggle up next to you at night when you are sleeping. I am starting to wonder whether that is not the reason she likes being outside when it rains: so she can come in and take revenge by plonking her cold wet body next to our warm dry bodies!

She is currently the most amazing shades of grey. Her down has grown in full force and is a light silver white in colour. And it is incredibly soft!

Today is a lovely day outside (in cat terms) – the sun is out and the day is crisp and clear. Kitten (who is a boy kitty) is outside and so is Mary. Mary was rolling around on her back, performing for the kitten – it was too cute to see! I ran back inside to fetch the camera, but by the time I came out, Mary was quite relaxed, while Kitten was rolling around in a frenzy trying to outdo Mary’s rolling spectacle.

Mary with Kitten in the background (by the car’s front tyre), just after her rolling performance. If you look carefully, you can see the bald patch on Mary’s cheek (on the right as you look at the picture).

Kitten performing for Mary

I have taken a week’s leave this coming week and I have set aside a day or two to spend just with Mary, and I honestly and truly cannot wait. I miss her company so much when I go to work. I like the people I work with, make no mistake, but I prefer the company of my partner and Mary, who both love me flaws and all.

Kitten and Mary