Introspective Zeus

Shanty town

If I'd known how much the cats loved cardboard boxes, I would have built a fortress for them ages ago. Kind of makes me want to curl up in a box myself.

Mozart, it's snowing!

Mozart is not ready to wake up and face the first snow of the season.

Thinking cat

I simply can't decide: should I start the morning with a low growl or an evil-sounding hiss?

Stripes

It took him thirty minutes to lick all of those stripes into shape, and now he's going to mess them up again by running around outside.

Come inside, little cat.

Mozart is the best at opening doors. His secret? A combination of head-paw technique, perseverance, and lots of meowing.

Wild horses can't be broken.

Most nights Zeus chases Mozart around the house. Last night I caught them in action in the kitchen: Mozart ran in first, followed by Zeus, who sped up until the cats were running together, cruising side by side like race cars--shining cat coats pressed shoulder to shoulder, fleet cat paws in sync... Kind of like seeing wild horses run together, but the domestic cat version.

Here's a picture of Zeus resting afterward:

Thirsty cat.

Close call.

I almost made a dreadful cat pun this morning, but my sense of decency stopped me.

How many places can one cat sleep?

If I were a cat, this would be my preferred sleeping method:

There's just something so cozy about being half-under a coffee table.

Hungry Eyes

When a cat wakes you up in the morning by licking your nose, the proper reaction is to bury yourself under the covers where he can't find you. When the cat is Zeus, the proper reaction is to wonder how he opened the door, apologize for sleeping in, hasten to fill his bowl with food, and then return to your blankets.

When you come downstairs again Zeus will be waiting for the second course. He'll be staring at you in just this way, growling softly:

Still sleeping.

What's inside a cat?

Last night when Mozart was sleeping I crept up to him and laid my ear against the warm fur of his stomach. He meowed sleepily and put a paw over his eyes. Inside his stomach I heard a sound like bubbling soup.

This morning the cats are very companionable. But they want to know why I'm standing on the chair and looking at them from above. "It's something humans do," I tell them.

Good morning, sleepy cat.

Oh. I didn't see you there. Hmm.

Yes, I have proof that cats fart.

I joined Mozart on the couch last night. He was sleeping on a pillow, but he stirred when I sat down. He opened his eyes, sat up, stretched... and then a little rumble shook the pillow. I think I laughed for two minutes straight.

Yesterday when I was moving my laundry from the washer to the dryer, Zeus came downstairs and sat next to my laundry basket. It might have been a friendly gesture if he hadn't had his back to me and hadn't been growling softly to himself. Soon the growls turned into little snarls. "What's the matter, Zeus?" I asked. He stopped snarling and looked over his shoulder slowly. "Oh. I didn't see you there," his look said. "Maybe I'll go upstairs and make myself all vulnerable and adorable now."

An Introduction

Hello,

I would like you to meet Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Zeus--my cat companions.

Mozart is a funny little black and white cat with a round, furry belly. At this very moment he is curled up by my chair. His stomach bulges with a recent snack. He stares into the night, wondering if there is something good to eat out there.

Tchaikovsky is on the couch. He is listening to Witold Lutoslawski's "Melodie ludowe"--his favorite nocturnal guitar music. Tchaikovsky is a tabby cat. Today I witnessed a squirrel walk right up to him, realize he was a cat, and walk away with a scornful little laugh.

Zeus is downstairs in the basement, his subterranean Olympus. He is a jealous, neurotic cat with long, fluffy hair and sharp teeth. I asked him if he wanted to come upstairs so I could describe him for my blog, but he hissed at me. From behind, he looks like he's wearing fur sweatpants. So his nickname is Old Fur Sweatpants.

Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Zeus are the stars of this blog. It will chronicle their silly, odd, and brave doings for the benefit of fans worldwide.

Until next time,
S. H. Zirts