Cute Cat Friday Classic: 2018-02-16

Originally published 2016-06-05.

Cute Cat Friday Classic: 2018-02-09

Originally published 2015-10-16.

Cute Cat Wednesday Classic: 2018-02-07

Originally published 2015-01-02.

Planned for last Friday, but I was on an epic drive to retrieve some rugby tickets, and subsequently very busy. (I'm disgruntled that after all my efforts Scotland's performance against Wales was so wretched, but such is life.)

Cute Cat Friday Classic: 2018-01-19

The lovely Joni is as well and happy as ever, but given our upcoming move and holidays I've decided to revisit some older editions of Cute Cat Friday. This one was first posted on 2014-11-27.

Cute Cat Friday 2016-01-29: Celebrating Belle

One thing about Belle, she is a beautiful cat.

Here she is in the Blue Cross shelter in October 2013, just before we adopted her. She is back there now and still listed for adoption, but we are hopeful she will find a new home soon.

Below the fold are some more pictures of the very lovely Belle. Particular highlights are confronting her mortal enemy, the printer; and studying the life of the Dowager Empress of China, for ways of commanding her human servants. We hope she and her next humans are happy together.

Farewell to Belle

I never thought I would write this sentence: We have decided to rehome Belle.

We did this reluctantly and with heavy hearts, but after much thought we decided it was the right thing for all of us, including Belle. I took her to the Blue Cross animal shelter on Saturday.

Regular readers of this blog will know we adopted another cat named Joni in November, and hoped she and Belle could live together peacefully. Belle is very much afraid of other cats. Joni is considerably smaller, and her body language was not at all aggressive; but Belle responded with hissing, growling, and pointing her ears back whenever Joni was nearby, occasionally swiping at her with a paw.

We knew Belle had lived happily with Dexter, so we persevered and hoped she would calm down. It was going very slowly, but we believed we were making progress. Then one morning there was an incident, Belle struck hard at Joni, and Joni was bleeding heavily on our kitchen floor. Thankfully there doesn't seem to be any lasting injury, but it was clear we could not continue. One of the cats had to go.

Cute Cat Friday 2016-01-15: Belle

Regal lady in her cat bed.

We've had a major setback in relations between Belle and Joni, and I'm afraid this will not work out. More details to follow when we know what is happening.

Cute Cat Friday 2016-01-01: The Year of Four Cats

Ancient Rome had the Year of Four Emperors; this was our Year of Four Cats.

Only Belle was with us at both start and end of 2015; but fervently knocking wood, we hope Joni will be a keeper. The other two of course were the late and much missed Dexter, who passed away in May; and Freddie, who we adopted and kept for two months, but had to send back when he proved too aggressive towards Belle.

Top row: Dexter, Belle. Bottom row: Freddie, Joni. Click for larger versions.

Belle and Joni are gradually growing more tolerant of each other; not yet hanging out in the same room, but we have high hopes of getting there soon.

Incidentally, my new favourite Wikipedia disclaimer is, "not to be confused with the Year of Five Emperors or the Year of Six Emperors".

Cute Cat Christmas: 2015-12-25

Belle posing by the tree. Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas Day, wherever and however you spend it.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-12-11: Belle

Nice and cosy in her cat bed.

Introductions to Joni continue. It's a three steps forward, two steps back kind of situation, but I think we are seeing progress. I've looked back at old emails and reminded myself it took at least seven weeks before Belle and Dexter were getting along decently, and Joni has only been here for three, so it's early days still.

I think it's fair to say the problem lies with Belle more than Joni. Belle is a highly strung cat, afraid of other cats, and tends to lash out if she feels cornered. Joni for her part seems curious about Belle but basically content to live and let live. Belle was much the same with Dexter at first, so given time we are hopeful she will calm down.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-11-27: Belle

Queen of all she surveys (except Joni).

Introductions between Belle and Joni are going pretty well. There was a setback on Wednesday when a face-to-face meeting ended in a short scuffle, but both cats backed off quickly enough. Since then they have observed each other through barriers, a bit of hissing has taken place but on the whole we think they are getting used to each other. We won't rush things; but we're optimistic that in a few days, or at most a couple of weeks, they will be content to be in the same room together.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-11-13: Belle

Following on from the pre-claw stretching last week, a ruthless four-pawed attack on the scratching post.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-11-06: Belle

A late afternoon stretch before assaulting the scratching post (with all four paws).

Cute Cat Friday 2015-10-30: Belle

Belle wishes you a happy and spooky Halloween!

Cute Cat Friday 2015-10-23: Belle

Our regal cat enjoying the autumn sunshine.

We adopted Belle two years ago this week. Here's to many more happy years together!

Cute Cat Friday 2015-10-16: Belle

You may pass, but never forget I'm in charge of these stairs.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-10-02: Belle

Happy in yet another paper bag.

We picked Belle up last night from the cattery on our way back from a week's holiday, she's glad to be back in her familiar territory.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-09-25: Belle

Enjoying some lap time.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-09-18: Belle

Bird watching.

Cute Cat Friday 2015-09-11: Belle

Belle likes hiding in paper bags.