Thursday, March 28, 2024
black catscat photographscatsdaily photoFantastic Fourmimimimi's children

The Basket

two black cats in a basket
Mimi and Jelly Bean prepare for their first nap in the new bed.

Good thing I set this basket down before I carried other things up the stairs. Where would all my black cats have slept for the past five days?

I really did only set the basket down before I walked up the stairs so that I could carry an armload of other things up the stairs. When I returned less than a minute later, Mimi and Jelly Bean were in the basket, bathing themselves and each other, purring and evidencing that particularly feline sense of anticipation of a really good nap in an exciting new bed.

two black cats in basket
Jelly Bean and Mimi smashed together in the basket.

The basket’s intent, at least in my opinion, is to hold boxes of note cards in my shop or one of the shops which carries my stuff. Not that I object to my cats being creative in finding happy sleeping spaces, but black cats and a basket with a natural cotton canvas liner soon mingle colors and textures. It’s just natural nesting material, they tell me.

I was hoping to repack this one and take it right back out to another shop. Believe it or not, people who love cats and buy my note cards really don’t like to see a basket lined with cat hair holding the merchandise.

Well, the liners do need to be washed now and then anyway.

Jelly Bean and Mimi monopolized the basket for about three days, actually doing little else but cuddling and bathing and sleeping in the basket. When cats find something they like, they know nothing of moderation, of taking things in small bites and savoring it. Instead they immerse themselves into their new love whether it’s a sleeping spot, food, a person or a toy, and enjoy it to its fullest.

Eventually JB and Mimi began to tire of the basket, and Mewsette had a chance to try it out. She enjoyed the basket for a resting and observation post, and attempted to contact far planets in the galaxy by holding completely still but swiveling her ears independently and together, adjusting for the best reception. Then she left the basket to the next kitty.

black cat in basket
Mewsette in the basket trying for better reception.

Boys will be boys, and Mr. Sunshine and Giuseppe just didn’t care for that bow on the side, doing their best to make it look more manly, like a string tie or something. Well, I needed to remove it before washing anyway.

two black cats in basket
Giuseppe and Mr. Sunshine get rid of that bow.

Then suddenly the basket affair was over. I couldn’t complain about the photographic subject matter, or the idea for a silly little illustrated book.

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All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used in any way without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

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.

6 thoughts on “The Basket

  • Very sweet pictures.My angel cat, Dickens, used to love to crawl into baskets and boxes.I suspect he’s found some heavenly resting places that are to his liking!

    Reply
    • Christine, I’m sure there was one waiting for him and he’s watching you from one right now. I still love the name “Dickens”–that says it all about him!

      Reply
    • I’d have some serious entertainment! The two-cat shelf is only about half as wide as the two-cat basket and for all the shuffling around they do they’d be ending up on me, but it could be fun.

      Reply
  • I love the way cats get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of an object or person before moving on to the next object (or person!)

    Reply
    • It’s one of the things I love about my relationships with animals–I always take things bit by bit and I don’t mind this, but we should really give ourselves the opportunity to let go once in a while!

      Reply

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