Recently I gave the cats a nice box that they liked to play in and then I took it away because we had to ship something and it was just the right size. I felt bad about it so when I came across another box at work I grabbed it.
I decided to make this one better than the last so I taped the top closed and cut two openings; one on the front and one on the side. I then cut a few peep holes in it so the box could feel like a little fort with spy holes to watch the “enemy.”
I named it “Fort Box” and the cats took to it right away, especially Colonel Chris who took over command of the fort.
I hereby assume command of Fort Box.
I know you’re there Frankie
Okay, Puck. Your turn to stand guard.
It’s scary in here. I’m shaking.
Puck! You’re supposed to be inside the fort.
Like this. I’ll show you.
I wonder if there is an attic?
I can see you guys so don’t try anything.
You can have your turn Frankie, when I am done lying here doing nothing.
Finally! What’s this?
Yuck! Tastes like cardboard.
C’mon Frankie! It’s my turn again.
Where did you go Frankie? I was just kidding. You can come back. I’ll share.
Several weeks ago I wrote a post called Rebuilding Burnt Bridges where I talked about how Chris tormented Frankie for weeks after we adopted him but then had a change of heart and decided he wanted to be friends with Frankie. Unfortunately, that came too late and Frankie didn’t trust him. Not only that, whenever Chris tried to be nice, Frankie would attack him.
Since that post Chris has continued in his efforts to make peace and lately I have seen signs that things are getting better. They still fight, and Frankie is by no means ready to be Chris’s best buddy, but there are occasions when Chris moves in close to Frankie and Frankie doesn’t attack him. Indeed, sometimes he doesn’t leave either. I know it is not much but it is much better than what we have been used to seeing. Chris may be a bad cat but he has a good heart and sometimes it shows.
I was shocked to see this scene yesterday. They are actually sleeping while touching each other.
Sorry about the quality but needed to get a quick picture of this before it was over.
Yesterday’s Post was about cats and boxes. It seems, not unexpectedly, that everyone who has a cat has a lover of boxes. I am sure all the cat bloggers out there reading this have at least one blog post with one or more cats enjoying a new box. I would like to ask that you share your best “box” post by commenting and adding a link (don’t forget “http”) so everyone can enjoy a bit of cuteness today.
Everyone who is owned by a cat knows what happens when you bring a new box into the house. It is like Kitty Christmas. The first thing they have to do is get inside like a child with a new playhouse. But why are cats so fascinated by a simple empty box? I suppose there are a number of things at “play” here.
I think the main reason is that cats love to play. The reason that they have an instinct for play is probably because it helps them practice for survival. Attacking their housemates, assuming it is not for reasons of dominance or territory, is practice for the hunt. Playing in a box is just an extension of that.
A box offers something a wild cat is looking for: stealth. Nevermind that they are not wild cats, they don’t know that. From inside a box a cat can see but not be seen. It is a great place to lie in wait until their prey is close and then pounce. It also offers a bit of protection from other “wild” household pets that might want to attack them.
Finally, cats are great nappers. Curling up inside a box could feel very cozy for that afternoon nap and offer protection as well.
This is great. A box all to myself.
Okay Puck, We’ve waited long enough.
Ha, now I have the box.
Stretch…
Don’t even think about it, Frankie.
This is just my size.
I wonder if there is a trap door in this thing.
That’s weird that Chris just disappeared. Oh well, it’s my box now.
If anyone can shed more light on why cats love boxes, or if you just want to comment, I’d love to hear from you.
I know this picture is very similar to my last post but it is perfect for adding captions. See what you can come up with and then click here for my idea.
This is a picture of Puck as a kitten in his foster home looking out the door with his big foster brother. We felt bad taking him away from his foster family but he couldn’t stay there forever and I think he is pretty lucky to have us now.
We have unusual cats, especially Chris. There is just no better way to say that.
Yesterday we had a lot of company at our house and, as usual, Chris was up in everybody’s business. There is nothing surprising about that. Chris is a very social cat. What is a little surprising is what happened later.
We had planned on walking around the corner where we could watch the city fireworks display but a thunderstorm rolled in just before the fireworks were supposed to start. We sat on our patio as the wind pushed the rain through the screens. We were hoping it would be like a typical summer shower and be over quickly but it lasted long enough for us to give up on watching the fireworks.
Then the rain ended as suddenly as it began and several locals began setting off their own fireworks that we could see from our patio. It quickly became very loud and Chris jumped up on the cat perch to get a better view.
He never ceases to amaze me. I know Chris and I knew that he would not be afraid of the fireworks but he was actually fascinated by them. He watched them with the same interest that he would watch a squirrel running up the screen.
Frankie was also not afraid of the fireworks and spent much of the evening on the patio as well but he took a more passive interest in the fireworks. Puck, as expected, was nowhere in sight but even he surprised me. Instead of being under the bed, he was actually napping on top of our bed and seemed not to notice the noise.
After a half hour or so the fireworks started getting better. It seemed that several neighbors on the other side of the marina spent a lot of money on fireworks, one in particular. Rose and I went outside and sat near the dock to watch the display. There was a ten minute stretch were it seemed to be more spectacular than most “official” fireworks displays.
While we were out there I kept thinking I should have brought my video camera with me but I was afraid it would be over by the time I got it. Eventually, I did get it and captured some good moments but not as good as what I missed. Someone even had a remote control helicopter that was probably filming everything from the air. Some people just have all the toys. I was told this morning that one homeowner spent $25,000 on fireworks for our enjoyment. Did I ever mention that I love where we live?
Bad Cat Chris 