Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty

Posted on by Joyful2bee

This happened several years ago but I thought that other cat lovers would understand. Norie, my black cat, loves to play, observe, go out on the screened in porch and stalk birds as they peck around looking for food safely beyond her reach.

Sister, my second cat of a different personality, preferred to sit in my lap or be near me. Sister was very sweet natured.

I am beautiful and I know it.
I am beautiful and I know it.

After having two adult cats for 4 or five years at that time, the thought crossed my mind that maybe a third younger cat would be good for my two older girls.

So the soft, warm, and fuzzy compulsion overtook me. I have to admit I had overdosed on pictures of cute, black, soft, warm and fuzzy kittens on my favorite internet media site.

The black baby kittens, with blue eyes seemed to call to me and “hypnotize” me! So I broached the subject of getting a third younger cat with my first son just to see what he thought. 

Now M. knows me well and has a good practical mind. I think he knew that I was just fishing for approval of my idea. M. somehow knew my motivation.

He also had a good understanding of how much I had to spend to keep the cats I had healthy and how much time I spent feeding, medicating them, and so forth. So he asked cautiously with an inquiring tone of voice and a drawn out, “Wh-h-h-h-y?”

His voice was non judgmental but slightly probing and curious. So I knew I had to give a good answer, lest he think I had already sunk into the mire of dementia or Alzheimer’s at the ripe “old” age of 60. (This happened several years ago.)

So I came up with two ideas: Norie would have someone who loved to play, more than Sister did; there would be more excitement for all of us, and…..I faltered as I realized I wasn’t coming up with real reasons but more excuses.

Then I surrendered. “I know. It really isn’t a good idea.” M. visibly relaxed. Finally I realized I was grasping at straws and had quickly run out of good, sound reasons enough to truly balance the monetary, emotional, and physical stress I had sometimes from caring for my two (then) cats. Suddenly I knew another cat would not be wise in my immediate future.    

Even now after losing Sister, I believe Norie is content with just herself and me. I am believing more and more she was a little jealous of Sister. So I will now just enjoy the cuteness of kittens from afar. I do have one warm, soft, and fuzzy, black cat who loves me.

Actually, since Sister passed over, Norie comes to me and wants to sit in my lap more. I know this is something amazing because when Sister was alive, I had to pick up Norie to get her to sit in my lap.

Now Norie sits and looks at me, rubs her head against my leg and waits for me to pick her up. She snuggles up behind my knees when I go to sleep. She snores softly, as she sleeps peacefully either on or under the bed blanket; or on a blanket on my lap.

But petting Norie can be tricky. She, like some other cats, gets overstimulated after a prolonged period of petting. In case you haven’t noticed it, after petting your cat for a while, they may start switching their tail back and forth or their pupils may become dilated. This is a warning sign that she is not going to tolerate being touched much longer. You may even notice their ears flattening out to the sides. Stop touching them, or you may be bitten or scratched.

But Norie really contributes to the peacefulness and Feng Shui of my home and life. Nothing like a sleeping, gently snoring cat to feel peaceful and relaxed.

Norie also reminds me to play and get up and move! No wonder science has proven that having at least one pet can lower your blood pressure! Soft, warm and fuzzy pets are good for our physical and mental health!  But one will just have to do for me.

23 thoughts on “Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty”

  2. You are stronger than I am. When I lost my last two cats, the thought of downsizing was discussed. We had four and going down to three seemed like a good idea. I’m at an age where a cat can outlive me. About a year after I lost Jake my husband found a one-eyed cat that needed a home. We had to take her in. We already had a one-eyed cat and knew they were harder to adopt out yet there is nothing handicapped about them. In December we lost Hazel. Again it was time to downsize. Then a friend who works TNR fostered a one-year old cat that had been trapped as a kitten. While she was socialized she would get frightened at the shelter when prospective adopters came to see her so she spent a whole year (as a kitten) in a shelter. My heart broke so I took her when my friend was ready to return her to the shelter (she had been working on more socialization). I didn’t regret either although old cat Mollie gives me stinkeye occasionally. I am working on making the vet part less expensive. I get 3 year vaccines so I don’t need the yearly exam (especially for the healthy young ones). If it comes to it, I’ll get the vaccines at my local rescue for a much cheaper rate reserving my vet for truly serious things. My cats all get along (very grateful for that). Someday I will have to downsize but not yet. My niece has agreed to take my cats if something happened to my husband and me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I have thought about what should happen to Norie when or if I can’t take care of her. Wonderfully M cat sat for me and kept her in his apartment years ago so he likes her. Yesterday he even asked if I’d thought about getting a cat to replace Sister. I told him Norie seems to enjoy being an only cat. Besides even though he married a veterinarian, I,would move in with them if I couldn’t handle a home anymore. All is good. I don’t want to load my kids up too much with me and more cats. So I will keep,it to one. Besides they can because expensive and I have an adequate but fixed income.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        1. I have been volunteering once a week for a Cat Angel Thrift store for several years. Fostering is definitely something I would consider. But I might end up adopting them too!! I do love having a cat around.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

  6. I really wanted a second cat after one of ours died but my husband rightly said that it wouldn’t be fair on Wilbur and that he might get the hump and just stop hanging out with us if he didn’t like the new cat. Which is entirely correct. No way did I want to jeopardise our cuddly relationship with him.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I know that feeling. It was interesting to see my two become friends. They never curled up together but they played chase and seemed to get along. Thank you for commenting.

      Like

      Reply

  9. What a beautifully written and deeply relatable story. Thank you so much for sharing this slice of your life with Norie and Sister. Your love for them shines through every word, and your self-awareness is truly admirable.

    Your son’s simple, drawn-out “Wh-h-h-h-y?” is a moment so many of us have faced, that gentle checkpoint that forces us to examine our own motivations. The way you described that internal dialogue—the “grasping at straws” for excuses before the serene surrender to what you already knew in your heart—is a testament to your wisdom and the deep care you have for your animals. It’s not about denying yourself joy, but about making the most loving choice for the little family you already have.

    The most touching part is the new chapter you’ve entered with Norie. It’s as if she was waiting for this time to show you a different side of herself. The image of her now seeking out your lap, snuggling behind your knees, and softly snoring is absolutely heartwarming. It’s a beautiful testament to the unique and evolving bond we share with our pets. She isn’t just a pet; she’s your companion, and she’s telling you in her own way that your duo is complete.

    And your observation about petting and overstimulation is so important and shows what a thoughtful, attentive cat-mom you are. You understand her language, and that mutual respect is the foundation of your wonderful relationship.

    You are so right. Norie is your perfect, warm, fuzzy, and peaceful Feng Shui. She brings you play, peace, and purpose. Your story is a lovely reminder that sometimes, the greatest happiness is found not in adding more, but in fully appreciating the profound beauty of what we already have.

    Give Norie a gentle scratch in her favorite spot for us. It sounds like you have a perfect, purring soulmate.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Srikanth. She is a wonderful part of my life. Your kind and beautiful words made me so happy. Norie is now 16 years old, the equivalent of 80 years old in human years. I am so thankful for her being in my life. I realize that she may or may not live several more years. But I am continuing to love and take good care of her. Thank you!!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Joyful2bee Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.