Thursday, March 28, 2024
Bellablack catscat photographsdaily photofoster catsSmokie

Daily Photo: Buddies

two black cats
Checking out the sink together.

Smokie and Bella haven’t cuddled yet, but after the first day or two Bella was here they’ve played all the time. They explore things like the sink drain and the entire inside of the tub. Sometimes I hear a frightful racket in there and when I get the door open they are both sitting in two separate places and I have no idea what they were doing. But I do guess they chase each other around in there, up and down the little cat scratcher, over the toilet and so on.

One of the first evenings they were here I got all the interactive toys and played with both of them at the same time to get them to interact a little. I had heard Bella wasn’t too playful–she’d been in Petsmart and the area where they have the adoptable cats isn’t really optimal for them–but here she was playing like a fool.

two black cats
Smokie and Bella playing with the same rope cord.

I was so proud of Smokie, the first night she was here, he was not only not frightened of her people, but when we unzipped the carrier he went right in and said hello. He must have learned some manners because Bella wasn’t upset.

two black cats
When Smokie met Bella.

They’ve been wrestling, like these photos I took in the middle of the night last night.

two cats wrestling
Epic battle in the middle of the night.

I was concerned Smokie might be a little annoying considering their ages, computed to humans, are quite different since he’s about four months, she’s about six months. But last night I could clearly see she was the instigator. I miss Smokie’s big greetings, but glad he’s not alone in there now, and getting a lot of exercise and socialization even when he’s not in ninja training.

two cats wrestling
Studio wrestling.

. . . . . . .

I Will Now Be Managing Your Kitchen, 2013
five black cats in kitchen
Mimi now gives the orders in the kitchen.

“Because you have consistently chosen inadequate meals that we cannot share, I am informing you that I will be managing this kitchen from now on, beginning with this recipe you have chosen. All meals will need to be approved by me, and possibly a consensus of all five of us when we gather in the kitchen, which is frequently, as we are right now, since you have a constant need for proper supervision.

“In the event I am indisposed by a necessary nap or mouse watch at the basement door, my son Giuseppe Basil Verdi will be in charge in my place.”

“I think you just want to sleep on the cookbook,” I said, in all seriousness, knowing the universal appeal to cats of both paper and things that are even only slightly taller than the area around so that the cat is in the highest spot in the universe at all times.

black cat on binder
“I disapprove of this recipe.”

. . . . . . .

Birdwatching Today, 2012
four black cats on bed
What are they staring at?

What made four sleeping back cats sit up and take notice, well, sort of?

Look, up on the window, it’s a bird, it’s really a bird! A little sparrow landed on the corner of the casement to preen itself in the sun, but it wasn’t exciting enough for anyone to lose their spot.

bird on window
It’s a bird!

And it’s Mr. Sunshine, Jelly Bean still lying down, Giuseppe and Mimi.

. . . . . . .

Crochet Testers Working Hard, 2011
three cats on crocheted item
Professional Crochet Testers

Good thing I finished this top at just the right moment! My crochet testers were ready to get to work.

Mr. Sunshine isn’t a typical tester, but I think his mom is trying to soften his man-cat edge a little. Cookie is always ready to participate in anything I do, and at one point I was crocheting around her. Apparently it passed their rigorous testing because they slept on it for several hours.

Of course, Kelly, my lead crochet tester, gave it a test when I began the project. If it had not passed her test at that point I certainly would not have continued.

What is it about cats and crocheted things?! And people who crochet and cats?! We must be a natural combination.

. . . . . . .

Let’s All Stare at the Bird, 2010
four cats staring out a window
Let’s all stare at the bird.

I’m sure the sparrow was glad there was a screen between him and four enthusiastic hunters, Mr. Sunshine, Giuseppe, Jelly Bean and Dickie.

I couldn’t get an angle with the cats and the bird, but it was hanging on the edge of the casement window and couldn’t figure out how to get out of its predicament. Usually they figure it out, but when it kept trying to fly through the window I opened the casement far enough for the bird to get a good angle and go free.

Those screens take a beating every summer when the windows are open and the birds are at the feeders, but it’s well worth the investment to replace them for the exercise and enjoyment everyone gets—including me! I originally installed the bird feeders outside that window so I could study the birds who visit my yard, count them for Project Feederwatch, and study their markings, colors and habits for illustrations and drawings. The view has become an important part of my cats’ well-being by “enriching their environment”.

The boys all had naps after all that exertion, and I’m sure they dreamed of little birds that were “right there”.


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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