Why yes, I'd like to sleep on your tummy

Matt and Mary are friends of ours who passed through Seattle while on their honeymoon last month. They fell in love with both our kitty residents, but Lily especially benefited from their visit. Clearly, there cannot be too many laps chez Kittitas for our sweet gray girl.


I don't think Lily was quite ready for Matt and Mary to return to St. Louis when they had to leave again. (We don't blame her.)

Getting closer ...

The rush of visitors is past for the moment, and life chez Kittitas is a little bit closer to normal again. Rather, new normal -- over the last month, Lily and Meow Meow have continued to establish a relationship of sorts (each more or less tolerating the other). They still hiss and growl when they come across each other unexpectedly, but most of the time, both cats coexist without drama.


I'm not sure exactly what shifted, but I suspect that the allure of this naptime spot has forced both kitties to learn how to share. (Though Lily clearly would prefer to have it all to herself.)


Don't let that disgruntled look fool you. Both cats were purring after I put down the camera.

Night and day

Lily's most active around 10 p.m., or so we've decided after observing her over the last few weeks. While the sun's up, she's usually curled into a tiny ball, happily sleeping away the hours in whatever corner suits her around the house.

In the evening, though, right around the same hour, we usually find her prowling the living room, making her rounds to the catnip -- we leave a generous sprinkling around the scratching post, which she likes to rub her head on -- and meowing for attention.

We are, of course, delighted to oblige her, especially now that she makes it so easy. Yep, she comes to us regularly now when she wants petting:



(Forgive the dim lighting; Lily's not a fan of the flash.)

Turning a corner

In anticipation of a week's worth of visitors (two different sets, back to back!), Dieter moved the couches in our living room so that they'd be more conversation friendly -- face to face, rather than at right angles.

What does this have anything to do with Lily? Well, note her position:


Suddenly, the high-traffic walkway from the kitchen to the stairs and the garage is visible along its entire length from the safety of one spot on the floor (before, the couch was aligned parallel to the corridor, offering a more limited view). For Lily, this means more hanging out rather than having to change to "safer" observation points every time someone moves. Our guests arrived Sunday, and not only has Lily stayed close by, but she's also adjusted to these new presences very quickly. (Oh yes, she's even asked for kitty love from these total strangers.)

Amazing what a little change can do.

A few more anniversaries

We're home and so are the kitties! Both are glad to be back in our house. Lily's soaking up the sun from the big window in her room and Meow Meow is in her usual place -- waiting by my chair at the kitchen table as soon as she smells coffee.

Thursday was Meow Meow's one-year adoption anniversary, so in honor of her, we're devoting this post to some videos I've been saving for a while. There are innumerable reasons we love her; these are just a few:

Her daily greetings ...



Our morning routine ...



And, of course, the irresistible tap-tap-tap she offers when she wants love. It's the move that stole my heart and I've never regretted it.



The other special somebody who has a certain claim on my affections married me five years ago today, so we'll be celebrating that anniversary this weekend as well. Without further ado, then, we're off! Till next week, friends :)

Plans afoot

Guess who hopped up here all by herself ...


... while a certain other kitty was hanging out on a favorite cushion? (Hint: it wasn't Meow Meow.)




There were no hisses, swats, or growls from either cat when Lily decided to claim a seat on the couch. And for a good part of the evening, this arrangement seemed to be quite agreeable.

I've been slow to post these shots, which I took on the last day of May -- an imminent visit from family had us scrambling to finish some home improvement projects for a bit. So my apologies. I'm happy to say, though, that intermittent exposure has offered us some real success in getting Lily and Meow Meow used to each other.

It will take more time until we're comfortable letting them hang out together unsupervised, but we'll keep at it. After we get back from our own visit to see family (D's side), that is. We leave in a week! Which means I need to start getting the kitties ready for our absence. At the moment, I don't think they suspect anything unusual in their schedule ...

And now, an update

Spaghetti and Meatball, the pair of kitties whom we fostered last spring, celebrated their one-year adoption anniversary in late May. Happiness and good wishes to you, girls!

In honor of our former fosters, we have an update with photos from their mom, Laura:

Spaghetti is WEIRD. She is our jittery not-that-little kitty, but she has lost 2 more pounds this year! She was resistant to extended affection/pets/attention for a long time, so we let her be until she told us she was ready for loves. Her and I have a morning routine that involves snuggles that makes my heart go all squishy. Her favorite places to hang out are on our bed in a cave of blankets (when the bed isn't made, she will burrow into the comforter), on top of the couch looking out the window to ensure no birds are in the neighborhood for long (I'm guessing -- I really have no idea what she's looking for) and in the enclosed penthouse of the kitty condo.

Meatball warmed up the fastest and has been granting tummy rubs for at least 11 months. She's a pretty little princess -- fastidiously grooming and adorably prancing around the house. Meatball runs to the door when Adam gets home (and maybe me, but I'm not inside to see it), even if she's in the middle of an extended affection or grooming session. It's very sweet and one of my favorite things she does. She still does the reach up for her meals, which is another one of my favorite Meatball tricks. :) Her favorite places to hang out are in the kitty bed on the window seat, the edge of our bed and on an office chair we have. Her least favorite part of the last year was her haircut; I think she is pretty vain. :)

Delighted to know all is well! Thanks, Laura, for the news.