HAPPY FIRST YEAR!
(Otherwise known as WE MADE IT!)
Yesterday marked the day we adopted two kittens, Jackson and Jed (then named Sunshine and Red), from a very special rescue cattery, AnimalKind, Inc.
At just 3 months old, their attitudes were perfectly solidified and so very different from one another. Looking back, of course this is evident. But from Day One onward, we had zero understanding of what these tremendous personalities had store for us.
I recently wondered when these wild and crazy animals would no longer feel like new, exciting and downright foreign installments in our home and lives. I can sense it happening, that occasional comfort waltzing in and plopping on the couch like an old friend, and yet the surprises just keep coming.
NEW TRICKS
Last week, the boys learned to open all the kitchen drawers as well as the pet food cupboard and eat through a box of Prowl from the Honest Kitchen.
Super-fueled, Jed now launches 5 feet from the top of the 36 inch, old-school television to the fireplace mantel. There he perches over a nervous hound who prays that the potted plant won’t crash on his head as the glass television stand (tempered, but still) wavers from launch shock.
Sometimes their curiosity is adorable. Sometimes it’s downright dangerous and we adjust the entirety of our lives around avoidance. Mind you, my husband has had a bit of fun leveraging Jed’s television trick, now justifying a new and narrow flat screen with a wall mount, you know, for safety. If anything, we are even greater proponents of pet adoption because of this.
OLD TRICKS
As the kittens have matured, a natural and relaxing rhythm has entered in too, one that lulls the soul like the sound of a sleeping child’s sweet, soft breath. Jackson loves to nap in my lap daily, snoring and purring, while Jed crawls between the dog bed’s cover and stuffing, nesting like a groundhog until Emmett roots him out with his nose.
These simple moments of curiosity without contrived destruction are most precious and becoming old hat, like when Tim and Jed played in the fresh-fallen snow, the window between them not hindering an ounce of their sweet fun.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWUfhuaz3u0
Moments like these are taking the place of:
- The Care and Feeding of Houseplants… a Cat’s Guide
- The Sporting Life of Ottoman Surfing April Fools
- Sunday Morning Toilet Paper Shredding
- Raving (and Surfing) Cats
- There’s a Cat Fight on my Head… Get It Off!
- Although I love You, I hate You is still going, unfortunately, even as I type.
While the onset of our cats’ adulthood lurks around the corner, we are so grateful for the enormous fun of watching our little beasties explore their new world with a comical vengeance. I wouldn’t trade a single minute – except that one where Jackson stuck his claw in my cheek. That one I could do without.
Happy anniversary, Babies.
We love you.
So big.
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Happy Anniversary adoption Jackson and Jed! That was so nice reading about their little ways, they sound like great characters! Milly and Poppet surprise us all the time with the antics they get up to. The latest – Poppet always has the urge to climb high, which is now the top of the cupboards in the laundry room whilst Milly lurks in the corner to jump on her when she comes down 🙂 Have a great day!
Thanks for reading, Cate!
What is it with "high" and "low" cats? I had a low cat prior who rarely ventured higher than the back of the couch. Jackson is like that, although counters are his favorite level. Jed, on the other hand, has to be as high as possible, on top of the TV, the refrigerator, the highest shelf in the closet. Sounds just like your Milly and Poppet, alright! Good luck to us both!
Very sweet video, Kim! Jed looks like he's washing the window with his paw at one point. Maybe you could give the kitties light housekeeping duties…you know, to keep them out of mischief.
Happy Anniversary!
(love the first photo of Jed and Jackson with the wonderful backlight)
I thought so too, Kathy. I'm usually all about synthesizing the best antics, cutting out slow, boring parts, choosing only the clips in perfect focus, picking the perfect music. In the end, my creations are exactly that, creations. This video, for me, was about the sweet simplicity of capturing a moment, in all it's perfect imperfection. Every living being was simply being – no fancy editing required.
And believe me, I've considered giving these guys household errands to earn their keep! Jackson won't do dishes. He just tries to lick them before getting squirted off the counter. And, rather than doing the mopping, he attacks the head every time it passes him by. Jed might just be a window washer, but I'll have to teach him to hold a paper towel.
Thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations! I wish I wasn't allergic to cats, they look like wonderful companions. But, alas, my eyes swell shut. 🙁
On another note, you received the Stylish Blogger Award. http://bit.ly/gyK9Vf
Tim suffers from allergies too, Deborah. He constantly used an inhaler for the first few months after the kittens came home. The same held true for each of our dogs. He basically suffers through until he suffers no more, building a tolerance. I don't know if I could do that.
I once had a guinea pig named Baxter whose dander significantly inflamed my airways. After contracting bronchitis, the situation was extremely slow to remedy itself and I was always very ill with Baxter in my life. Thankfully, I knew a family who had just lost their beloved guinea pig and they welcomed mine with open arms. No dog or cat has ever had that effect on me.
And thanks for the Stylish Blogger Award!
Happy anniversary! 🙂
Thanks! And happy birthday to you this weekend!
How can it be a year already?!? On the other hand, your kittens have gotten into enough mischief for a lifetime – but they sure are entertaining. 🙂
How funny that you think this year flew by, Amy. Tim thought we were already over the two year hump! I guess it's been looong year for him. LOL.
Wow, time sure passes by quickly… happy adoption anniversary!
Rudy's Raiser
Thank you! Thank you! The cats are taking their bows. 🙂