Daily Photo: Hamlet Visits Me
Over the past few days the sun has reappeared and all the cats are more active, especially Hamlet and Ophelia. I am enchanted by the change in them over the past week. I can pet Hamlet more and more often, and even when we’re not in the bathroom which is where they both feel safest. In fact, he will come to me for affection when I have gone in there. At first he was coy, dragging his side along the door, nuzzling the scratching post then sliding his full face along it, finally titling his head to look up at me with soulful eyes then turning his head to show me the exact spot on his neck where he loves to be scritched, air-kneading with one front paw and then the other while I scratch him all around the neck. Instead of running from me elsewhere, he will carefully consider my outstretched hand and more often than not turn his head so I can scratch his neck.
And then he also visits me in the studio.
This is new. He loves the studio, and he’s come into the studio while I’m in here but explored on his own. Over the weekend, though, he hopped up on my drafting table, stepped onto the windowsill and looked outside, then purposefully stepped onto my work table as I was working and walked around. He was relaxed enough that he was curious about everything and interacted with my prints and print bags—and that was a quandary.
Plastic is a “no” because the next move is a bite on the plastic. I gently slid it away from him and he followed, then I packed the prints as quickly as I could and put them away. How do you discipline a cat who is just on the edge of socialization? Telling him “no” at this point would only frighten him, but I didn’t want to let him get his paws on the plastic and start chewing, reinforcing what he wanted to do. It worked out okay because that was when he stepped away and laid down to supervise, in the photo at the top.
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Shared on Facebook and Instagram
(From June 18) We are celebrating International Box Day here, but it seems we only have one box for all these cats, or at least as far as Mimi is concerned, because she wants the one that Jelly Bean is napping in. It’s the bottom of a case of cat food, but she tries to fit herself in there with Bean, then she sits on him and washes him, then she just sits on him. The next time I look, Mimi has won the box.
Shared on or around this date in other years
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In Their New Homes, 2015
The last time I had the chance to share news of Charm’s kittens Splash had gone to her home from the clinic and Higgins and Samwise were ready for their person that evening so I could share those photos, but Crayola and Zorro were still here. Crayola’s pre-adopter had found another kitten through Pittsburgh CAT, and as much as everyone loved Zorro’s little face and attitude and we had a few meet and greets no one spoke for her. At least they could enjoy some time when it wasn’t so crowded in the bathroom and have their mom all to themselves, and Charm was pretty relaxed too.
Then the day after the clinic a lovely couple expressed an interest in both of them and came to see them the day after that. They had just bought a new home and not even unpacked all the way yet, and only intended to meet them and take them home home later when they felt more ready, but they’d come from nearly an hour away and decided they couldn’t leave without them. They ran to a local store to get a carrier and a few other things and I took the photo at the top while we waited and I spent some time with them. The photo below I took when we came back in the room after the paperwork was done, and posted these and the text below on Facebook:
We’re on our way home with a nice couple who will love us forever! They came to see us and couldn’t leave without us. (Zorro and Crayola’s adopters ran to get a carrier and some food to take home, then came back for them. I took the first photo while we waited, the second photo is how we found them when we came back in the room.) I could tell these two kittens knew what they were doing–Crayola went for the woman and Zorro went to the man, it’s the kitten takeover plan. More gifts, watching the beginnings of all these new loves. It’s hard to believe they were only here for five weeks–I’m kitten free and trying to get used to it.
Crayola was always pretty laid back, almost a sleepy kitten except for his adventures climbing anything he could get and chasing his tail and wrestling, but Zorro could be a little edgy and possessive. I’d never seen them cuddle together as a couple, only with the group. But here they were, and I couldn’t have been more assured they’d be a nice kitten couple from then on.
And so they are! Here are a few photos from their adopters, who adore them!
Crayola and Zorro are loving their new home!! Just wanted you all to know they’re doing great and getting lots of TLC!” they said.
“Zorro wants to be aN opera singer!” Crayola still thinks he owns that toy!
They’ve been posting photos and even their friends have posted photos. Sounds like a match to me!
UPDATE! UPDATE!
Just an hour or so after I shared this post they posted this photo on my Facebook page, look at those two, so happy! and their names are Dinah and Finn!
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Higgins and Samwise
Higgins and Samwise were pre-adopted together, and I’m so glad that Kerri agreed to it. I always thought they looked beautiful together, two fuzzy kittens, pale and dark. It was only after I’d looked over all the photos of Samwise and his fuzzy house panther brother hanging out together a lot, playing, eating, napping, exploring that I realized they were really good friends. Kittens are so much better as pairs—they play with each other instead of everything else in your house including things you may not want them to play with, they keep each other company, and give each other exercise and friendship.
The boys had a little bit of trouble settling in, and it’s one problem with me having to keep the kittens in the bathroom and unable to explore other rooms—when they have more space it can be overwhelming, but they way they took to Kerri I thought they’d be fine. But with a few days of re-confinement in her bathroom Kerri said they were doing well. “Samwise is a ball of love and always greets me at the door with a little meow and purrs every time I pick him up. Higgins is very laid back and doesn’t mind being held at all. They love treats and playing with the laser light, ” Kerri said.
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Splash, now Charlie
Splash was the only one who went on her own, but she was also the boldest of all the kittens though the smallest, so I wasn’t concerned. Plus, she had a bunch of doting humans and a calico fur sister waiting for her, and it’s all worked out fine. She integrated into the household in just a few days and is now playing with said fur sister, Lucy! “I think Splash is comfortable in her new home. She loves couch cuddles. A little over 24 hours here and already she is a cling-on. We ❤ her so much!” was the first message I got with a photo. I see photos and videos every few days and love them all.
Sherri’s son Declan chose the new name of “Charlie” for her and it fits her well.
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Charm
Their sweet mom Charm is still looking for a home. She is very, very affectionate and gets along with all the house panthers. I think she’s the type to get along with anyone. And though her age had been first guessed as being older, she’s been playing chase with Bella and Basil as if she’s the same age as they are, just past a year, which I think is right.
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Wordless Wednesday: Inside On A Hot Afternoon
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Kelly, My Studio Supervisor, 2012
But tell me, could you work with that little face watching you? Those big round green eyes and big rounded ears? I try not to laugh but she’s so cute I can’t help it, and I don’t always get much done. It’s all Kelly’s fault.
And when she gets bored with me she can look out the window and watch the birds in the trees.
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And a…Tomato For Your Pillow, 2012
When a kitty is really tired, anything will do for a bed and pillow.
I was kidding Cookie about perhaps having had a little ” ‘nip” and being, um, a little out of sorts. She sat up, washed her face and had a drink of water, but later she was sleeping there again. Must be tomatoes aren’t such a strange pillow after all.
Last year at this time Cookie was happily acting up in the kitchen as various vegetables came in and cooking and serving vessels were set on the table. I always loved her natural curiosity and ingenuity in determining the best use for something new. Visit Cookie in the Kitchen.
Also see other Daily Photos, especially featuring Cookie.
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We have over 100 kittens in foster in Pittsburgh CAT and the shelters are full, so if you are considering adopting, adopting now will not only give you a lifelong feline friend, but it will save a life as well.
Browse some rescued cats and kittens—browse here or visit PittsburghCAT!
Please help others in your community learn about the importance of spaying or neutering cats–and dogs–and tell them about low-cost clinics in your area. Then we can all enjoy kittens again.
Inspired by felines you know! Visit Portraits of Animals.
All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission, although links to your site are more than welcome and are shared. Please ask if you are interested in using and image or story in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of an image or a product including it, check my animal and nature website Portraits of Animals 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. Subscribe to The Creative Cat Preview E-newsletter. © 2022 | www.TheCreativeCat.net | Published by Bernadette E. Kazmarski 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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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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dood !!! keep up de grate werk…ewe is most shirley makin progrezz…984 paws up two ewe buddy ♥♥♥
He’s right there Tabbies, just need a little more time!