Thursday, March 28, 2024
black catscat photographscatsdaily photoFantastic Fourgiuseppejelly beanmewsettemr. sunshine

Daily Photo: First Cool Afternoon

Everyone on the bed
Everyone on the bed

The first cool weather afternoon of the season and all Four are cuddling in tight black balls on the bed…except Giuseppe, who is curled in a ball under the covers for the first time of the autumn.

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What other photos did have I shared around this date?

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Wordless Wednesday: We Don’t Know Who Did It
three black cats
The boys all look around to express their innocence, though I have no idea why.

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Others’ Fine Felines: Box Seats for Birdwatching
two cats in window
These two have box seats for birdwatching!

“Move! You’re scaring away the birds!”

Actually, the birds have cleaned out the feeder by the end of the afternoon as Polar Bear and Orangie have it made in the shade for birdwatching—you’d think they’d be ready for a nap. They live up the street from me and are often in the window as I walk up or down the hill. These are two of the cats I helped my neighbor have neutered this past June, perhaps that accounts for their squinty and startled expressions.

I’ll just say this too—they are also in the catbird seat. Couldn’t pass that up.

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Mewsette Mixed Whiskers, 2012
photo of cat's nose and whiskers and shadow
Mewsette Mixed Whiskers

What wonderful yellow morning sunlight casting a rich shadow of Mewsette’s face and whiskers at just the right angle. Just an interesting photo. Pretty. Sometimes underexposed is not a bad thing.

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Permission From Your Elders, 2011
tortie cat and black cat
Jelly Bean asks permission from his elder kitty.

Jelly Bean politely asks Cookie’s permission if he can share her blanket for a nap. He’s using his most charming and proper demeanor—tail up with just the tip curved, whiskers and ears forward, eyes alert, patiently waiting, and you can’t hear it but he’s purring fervently.

I’m not sure what will happen if Cookie doesn’t respond within five or six seconds and JB goes to step two in his Manual of Charming Kitty Demeanor, which is to lean down and give her a gentle head-butt…

In case you aren’t acquainted, Cookie is 19 years old and has seen a lifetime of cats I’ve fostered. Jelly Bean is four, and a little naive, but very respectful.

Cookie likes to spend time in whatever room it is that I’m working, but I don’t always want her walking on my paintings or framing, as we are in the studio at the moment. I place a soft folded blanket on my work table for her. The Fantastic Four are so accustomed to sharing with each other it’s taken some time for them to learn that they can’t just go and lie down on Cookie. She has let them know this by sending as many silent but threatening body language signals as possible, and they have learned to understand, though I think they had to go and ask their mother a few times what Cookie’s problem was.

But Jelly Bean has studied his manual well and is the most charming kitty I have ever met, though he’s mostly been practicing on other cats. he is careful with his little big sister.

What Cookie will decide is probably clearly written on her face.

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Someone’s Soul is in Danger, 2011
three black cats at window
Basement cats are grabbing some creature’s soul.

These three are apparently focusing their powers on something outside, though likely it’s a chipmunk on the front porch. I hope it’s not one of the neighbors on their way to work, or one of the kids on their way to school…

It’s Giuseppe, Mimi and Jelly Bean keeping vigil at the front window for the morning shift.

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Peaches and Giuseppe, Together Again, 2010
calico and black cat
Peaches and Giuseppe curled together.

Giuseppe is not at all embarrassed to tell the world that when he was a young mancat he was involved in a May-December relationship with a lovely, delicate older ladycat. Okay, a February-December relationship…he was 3, she was 20, but Giuseppe fell for Peaches when he was 18 months old, and cuddled and cared for our oldest fur sister until the very last moment of her life, and she enjoyed all his attentions as a ladycat should.

And don’t worry, the dignified and loving Mlle. Daisy Emerald Marguerite knows all about this early affaire, in fact, it’s one of the things that makes her love Giuseppe so much.

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From 2010: Sorry for the bad quality photo, I’m just glad to see Giuseppe and Peaches together again!

Giuseppe has always had a real affection for Peaches, curling around her and keeping her warm, bathing her now and then, and generally being vigilant about her while keeping his hectic young-cat household schedule. Peaches is 20, petite and pastel, Giuseppe is three, more than twice her size and solid black, and while he’s friendly he’s not one of the ones who cuddles up to cats who are not his direct family. Peaches is very special to him.

Through the hot months of summer, especially during the flea scourge, very little cuddling of any sort was happening, and Peaches has been kind of on her own with Cookie and Kelly. But these first few cold nights and slightly chill days have brought cuddling back in style.

Peaches is handling her chronic kidney failure well, though I can see some decline, but the fleas weakened her and it’s taken a lot of careful diet and rest for her to really regain her strength. She’s been spending a good bit of time in the bathroom, at my orders, first because it was the only room I could keep flea-free so that I could manage her health without flea bites. Also she can eat at will (I can’t leave food out for her in this house) between her regular meals, the water bowl and litterbox are convenient, and it’s quiet and restful, especially when I’m off for the day at a festival.

She has her freedom at other times because Peaches is an important part of the household. Also, I know that our time is limited, and I don’t want to miss a minute.

I know that Giuseppe’s care for Peaches is an important part of her continued health as much as it is heartwarming and very cute at times. His youth warms her body physically and emotionally, his energy fills her and she is grateful and accepts with simple grace. When it’s cuddling time, I watch Giuseppe as much as Peaches to determine her current health state.

So it was good to see that Giuseppe had sneaked into the bathroom and cuddled around Peaches, his paw on her back, that vigilant expression—and there wasn’t even food in there, so it had to be Peaches alone he went in there for.

I’ve posted other photos and stories about Peaches and Giuseppe through the past year, including Keeping Peaches Warm, Senior Mentoring, Youth Warming Program, Peaches and Giuseppe, Sittin’ in a Tree, and my favorite, Share the Love.


Browse some rescued cats and kittens—browse here or visit PittsburghCAT!

cats and kittens
Gallery view of Pittsburgh CAT cats for adoption.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.


© 2014 | www.TheCreativeCat.net | Published by Bernadette E. Kazmarski

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Weekly schedule of features:
Sunday: Essays, Pet Loss, Poetry, The Artist’s Life
Monday: Adoptable Cats, TNR & Shelters
Tuesday: Rescue Stories
Wednesday: Commissioned Portrait or Featured Artwork
Thursday: New Merchandise
Friday: Book Review, Health and Welfare, Advocacy
Saturday: Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat, Living Green With Pets, Creating With Cats
And sometimes, I just throw my hands in the air and have fun!

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Bernadette

From health and welfare to rescue and adoption stories, advocacy and art, factual articles and fictional stories, "The Creative Cat" offers both visual and verbal education and entertainment about cats for people who love cats, pets and animals of all species.

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