Sat SEP 9

I don't understand. There seems to be another cat in the house. And the Husband and Wife act like it belongs here. It spends most of its time with the Wife; the Husband and I tend to stay away from it. But sometimes the Husband will approach it, while the Wife and I are elsewhere. I'd hustle the little twirp right outa here, but they seem to want it to stay. But it's not here all the time; just when the Husband and Wife are around. So it's just a visitor. I think it comes from the garage, but I'm not sure - I never go there. But it only comes in during the evenings and weekends.

We pretty much avoid each other, although I do keep a watchful eye on it when it's around.

Then this morning, the neighbor's black 'n' white cat appeared in my back yard. I recognized him 'cause he frequently sits in his front window, but I've never seen him outside before. Great. Another feline to contend with. I've got the little tri-colored twirp running around the house, and the neighbor's Maine Coon and Tuxedo cats in my yard. I heard the Wife say they're getting the little one spayed in a coupla weeks.

Good.

Sun SEP 17

I guess I can't complain. I still have free access to the Husband's lap, I get fed on time, and I think I'm actually getting more attention than before the little twirp arrived. She stays outa my way, and I still have the run of the house. I can ignore the runt running all over the place while I'm napping, and when I get up to go into the kitchen or to go outside, she stops all the kitten nonsense and waits respectfully 'til I pass.

I kinda like that part.

But I can't leave any of my food for later; the twirp will eat it. The Husband and Wife put my food up out of the way to keep her from getting it, and I know they mean well, BUT I CAN'T GET IT EITHER! But lately they've stopped doing that, and the little one hasn't been stealing my food as much. And when she does, the Husband treats me to Pounce or some people tuna fish. We're all adjusting.

It's going to be all right.

Thu SEP 21

If you can't lick 'em join 'em. And I'm not referring to the little twirp that has moved into the house. I'm referring to the next-door animals. I've decided that the furry Maine Coon is a good cat, spending a lotta time outdoors now, and following me around the fringes of the woods (he's a bit hesitant to venture far from his house). I feel like a big brother, showing him the ropes.

But now one of his roommates has begun showing up outdoors more often. The big black-and-white dude who whines too much. He doesn't want me to get too close, but he's curious enough to venture over here. We spend a lotta time just sitting and staring at each other, like we do at the front window. But if I move toward him, he growls. I don't need this. If he wants to tag along, fine. But quit whining.

The third neighbor cat, a dull beige creature (not anywhere near my brilliant orange fur), remains inside. He just sits and stares. I don't have a read on that one yet. I guess I'll just hafta wait for its debut to the outdoors.

In the meantime, the noisy little furball that wanders around my house is getting a little less noisy and a little more respectful. So if the Husband and Wife want to keep it around, I guess it's okay with me.

Tue SEP 25

The 5-year-old human next door loves me (I think she's kinda cute too). She talks to me a mile a minute. She was telling me all about her three cats (they all come out to play now). Their names are Mario (I think - she talks so fast), Dalton and Gunther. Mario is my first encounter, the Maine Coon (actually only part Maine Coon, but he's got the long hair and fluffy tail), Dalton, who I'm just getting used to (he whines too much) - has face and head that are all black fur except for a white stripe down his nose, and Gunther is a sandy brown rather plain dude who avoids me, but he's still kinda new to the outdoors.

C.C., the little twirp that lives in my house, has not encountered any of them yet (they have to be let in and out - no private door - so they aren't out as much). So far all five of us have maintained respect for each other - not that easy in such close proximity.

Back in February (entry #2), I lamented the absence of felines in my neighborhood - nobody to show off to. Beware what you wish for.

Meow.

Sat SEP 30

Things have gotten strange around here lately. Just a couple months ago in this immediate neighborhood there was me and one elderly feline making up the entire cat population. Then a bunch of cats began appearing in the window of the house next door. Then they began appearing outside, one at a time. Then a new feline appeared within my own house. The population has tripled!

About that new one in the house - she got ovariohysterectomied last Thursday, and she's not been a purrin' pussycat since. I can only imagine that it's not the most comfortable situation, so I'm trying to be accommodating. That means my own personal access to the outdoors has been blocked, and I actually have to meow to go out. I stay out of her way pretty much, and I don't really compete for attention (I don't really have to - the Husband and Wife are always attentive).

Last night I didn't realize that the little one was curled up on the couch asleep when I jumped up there. She ignored me and continued napping, but our close proximity made the Husband and Wife nervous. Something told me that the little one was needing extra attention during her recovery period, and I began licking the back of her head while she napped. That really surprised the Husband and Wife. The Husband was already en route to remove me from C.C.'s space when he stopped. I think I got some brownie points for that brief event.

Considering the sudden influx of cats around here, things have been going pretty smoothly.

Sat OCT 7

Well finally! The Husband and Wife got the cat door working again. Where are their heads? Even with two cats pointing it out to them, it still took 'em a week.

Dalton (he's the black 'n white cat from next door), has been bravely approaching me, only to stop short many feet away. He doesn't know what he wants. I was walking between the houses, and c.c. was shadowing me (like I didn't know she was there - I just ignore her), when Dalton pops out of the bushes and runs in my direction, again stopping short. As far as I know, c.c. wasn't even aware there were cats next door. Taken by surprise, c.c. went directly into hissing/snarling/spitting mode, just as Dalton pulled up short, as usual. The two then turned tail and ran in opposite directions. It was a regular vaudeville act. I just shook my head and continued on my contented way.

Today the wife put out Halloween decorations, because it's October (it's a calendar thing), and one of them includes a ceramic black cat perched on a pumpkin. That evening, when we were all gathered in the living room, keeping the Husband and Wife company, c.c. suddenly sat upright (from a semi-snoze on the couch) and glared with serious intent at the ceramic black cat. There was no growling or snarling - just that very intense stare. She's weird - I ignore her a lot. She began a slow-motion stalk toward it (you know what I mean - it's a patented stealth move of the uncertain feline), one step at a time, pause, never take your eyes of the target, another step, another pause ...

The Husband reached over and rapped on the ceramic cat's head, to show c.c. that it was inanimate. But c.c. continued, slowly, until her nose touched the unmoving decoration. She ran her nose over it several times before turning around, walking back to her spot on the couch and resuming her cat nap.

The Husband and Wife were amused, and if they're amused, I'm amused. Briefly. At least I can go out again whenever I want.

Friday the 13th of OCT

It had gotten rather chilly over the last few days, but then it warmed up again to the point where it's downright hot again. It's Mother Nature, flicking the lights, announcing last call. It's not going to be warm much longer, and it's the woodland creatures' last chance to stock up for winter. Pretty soon they'll be nestled in their burrows, the trees will go naked and I'll be spending lots of time indoors.

I don't think the new twirp understands any of that. She had to show off and bring a rabbit home the other day. So I was compelled to go get a critter, but my heart wasn't in it. I did locate a rather chubby mouse and turned him loose in the bedroom early this morning. The Husband and Wife always enjoy that; they said lots of nice things to me this morning.

But it's time to unwind, to relax. There's months of cold ahead, and we cats should be slowing down. So I've been trying to set an example for c.c., but she's too keyed up. She's everywhere, into everything. A couple days ago, she pulled a bunch of books out of a bookcase to make a space for herself. She curled up in it for about five minutes, then decided she wanted to go out. She was out for quite a while. She returned when it started to get dark (and the Husband was due home to feed us), but without her collar (the Husband had just given it to her less than two weeks ago); not that she cared.

The indiscretion of youth. Geez, I hope she's not going to want to play all winter.

 Thu OCT 19

The other day I chased the fluffy neighbor cat across the street and got yelled out. Apparently it's okay to chase him back to his own turf, but not beyond. I like this furry feline; we have a certain respect for each other, but he was getting a little too familiar. I was just doing my job.

All three neighbor cats are out at once now, and they tend to go their separate ways, which makes it very difficult to keep track of them. So while the black 'n white one was sitting on the border, glowering at me (he does that a lot), the long-haired gray cat walked directly behind me and curled up under my shrubbery and got very comfortable. It was like when a human comes over and sits in my favorite chair. Except this time I could do something about it. And did. I think he got the message, even if I did get yelled at.

The runt cat - c.c. - wasn't feeling well the last few days, so I gave her space. If she wants to be alone it's okay with me. She accepts that I am Head Cat and doesn't interfere. And I can respect that.

However, the next door guys are not such a known quantity. But they will be.

Wed OCT 25

I'm getting to like this new little runt. She's full of energy. This morning she brought home a mouse. She had it cornered in the hallway, not attacking it, just blocking any escape route, and doing a pretty good job. I generally just let 'em run around, once they're inside. But she maintained control. She held it at bay while meowing the Husband awake and waiting 'til he got the green box. It was all very clean. I was impressed.

So you think I might be jealous. And I might if the Husband and/or Wife began ignoring me. But they don't. I get just as much attention as if I had brought home a critter myself (and frankly the thrill is not what it used to be when I was half my age). So the little one does all the work, shows me respect, even talks to me on occasion, does not get in my way. Just tonight, while the Husband was preparing our dinners, we touched noses and sniffed each other's neck and ears. That just doesn't happen between unrelated felines. She sometimes leaves some food for me, and I sometimes leave food for her. We share the Husband and Wife (two of us, two of them), the living room furniture and the outdoors. And she's entertaining. It's a pretty good arrangement.

Not that I've given up on catching critters. No way. I'm a cat. Heh.

Tue OCT 31

Sun NOV 12

It seems that human beings all around the country, even the world, are celebrating again. One of those big, long noisy affairs that purportedly signifies importance. The election of a president, usually a one-day affair, has become an open-ended event. They have devised all kinds of different games to keep the celebration going and they all seem to be having a good ol' time.

But everybody seems to want to play the games differently. Or not at all. It's kinda like the game of Monopoly - it's got lotsa rules that no one ever pays attention to unless there's a big conflict over Boardwalk and Park Place. Then follows arguments over interpretation of the rules and the game goes on under protest, finally ending in a disputed victory, and the losers go home embittered.

No one's taking the high road 'cause it leads to defeat, so the games go on, getting increasingly more vocal., full of sound and fury, and, so far, signifying nothing.

Purely by coincidence (and in the grand scheme of things, is anything really a coincidence?), a year ago at this time the Opie Project was having its own constitutional crisis. We were facing disputed results as to whether or not I had captured my first squirrel. It had chipmunk markings, but it was a squirrel, I'm sure. But the Husband is the keeper of the log, and he said it was a chipmunk. So we took it to the people; we got a huge response (the biggest one-week pile of e-mail in the history of the project) from all over the world, and everyone of 'em said it was a squirrel. The Husband conceded and logged it as a squirrel, but with an asterisk. I won, but it kinda put a taint on the whole thing. Still, the Opie Project survived the challenge and it goes on as before.

As goes the Opie Project, so goes the nation. :)

Meow.

Mon NOV 20

Yes, you have heard me mention those slave bracelets that humans wear. They call them wrist watches, but they are actually controlled by them. You know who you are.

Cats have no use for time or clocks or calendars. They have internal timers that tell them all they need to know (like when we'll be fed, or when night will fall, or when the seasons change. We've already been hit with the seasonal change thing 'cause it's getting noticeably colder. But there's something else too, something that has triggered an internal timer. It's like the seasonal change, but that's not it. This involves days of white meat and full tummies. I can't quite put a paw on it, but I know I like it.

My roomie, c.c., hasn't got a clue. She's still chasing toys around that I've ignored for years. She's in for a treat.

I trust my internal timers - they haven't let me down yet.

Then after all that, there's something about a tree in the living room that the Wife hangs things on. That makes no sense at all.

Fri NOV 24

Last year the big feast was here, and I devoured many offerings from the table, happily. This year the feast was elewhere, and I was left to keep an eye on the little one. But I still remember remnants of the feast being around for a long time afterward, and I was sure they would be returning, laden with leftovers. I was not disappointed. Neither was c.c. We both enjoyed a white meat midnight snack. I felt full and relaxed and spent the night at the foot of the bed. The little furball, however, felt invigorated and immediately headed outside. It's downright cold out now (we've had snow already), but I think that's a function of age, rather than energy (i.e. she doesn't know any better). I am much more padded against the cold than she, but I am just as happy being indoors these dark months.

I'll be out exploring for brief periods when the sun is radiating it meager winter warmth.

Today the Husband worked and the Wife shopped. We always like to suprise them, so we had a mouse waiting for them. The Husband arrived first and discovered it hiding behind the humane trap (a little bit of irony is always a delight), but he took it outdoors to play, so the Wife never got a chance.

Am I the only one who realizes that it's too cold to play outdoors?

He wasn't gone long. The mouse probably got away from him. Humans are not very good at this.

And it looks like c.c. has caught onto this change of seasons things (finally!) - she's curled up on the loveseat - that usually means she's there for the evening. I will likewise take my spot next to the Husband on the couch, and we'll all enjoy an evening of couch potatory.

Thu NOV 30

It's the last day of the month, and I'm supposed to have five entries for the month on the website by now. Okay, this is the fifth. Do you have anything to add, c.c.?

The little furball says nuthin'.

Okay, feed me now ...

Fri DEC 8

You may have noticed (or not) that there has been little or no mention of the felines next door lately. I was just getting acquainted with them when c.c. happened on the scene (that was in early September), and I was kept too busy keeping track of the new intruder in my house to pay much attention to the three fur-bearers next door.

By late summer, all three of them were venturing into the outdoors on a limited basis (usually under the watchful eye of the neighbor-lady or her 5-year-old). I gained some respect for the long-haired Maine Coon (Mario) - we had no squabbles over territory. We would exchange stares through the fence for extended periods, but there was no need for posturing - we accepted each other. The black 'n white cat (Dalton) kept both his distance and curiosity well defined. The tan feline (Gunther) did not venture out often, and we never really became well acquainted.

One weekend Mario took off exploring, and it became necessary to assemble a major search party to track him down. On that same weekend I believe Gunther had exhibited a total lack of understanding of the dangers of the automobile - a last-minute sense of foreboding averted disaster.

They haven't been seen outside since. It's getting too cold for outdoor play anyway. Maybe in the spring we can all try again. In the meantime, I still sit outside their living room window and exchange glances with them on the occasional sunny morning. We still communicate. We are still cool.

Sun DEC 17

Today was a lotta rain and wind. And thunder. I hate thunder. I always think something large is stomping around the house, and if I don't stay wary, I'll get stomped on. I don't relax until the stomping ... er, thunder, is gone. Then I pretend it was never there.

But c.c. (having experienced only a single cycle of seasons) I woulda thought would be a nervous wreck. But she didn't seem to mind those noises at all. Of course she never ventured far from the security of either the Husband or the Wife (well, okay, I didn't either). I've concluded that she's not yet smart enough to know that loud noises mean trouble (they do, right?)

The storm passed by around noon, though it remained dark and gray. At least it was quiet. Moreso once the Husband and Wife ventured out to partake of the shopping ritual that predominates this time of year. The little furball and I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the living room and the intrigue of the many boxes all over the house. Not to mention the large tree that occupies a good portion of the living room. The Husband and Wife know how to keep us amused, but they really go outa their way this time of year.

It's starting to get dark, and soon we will hear the garage door opening. Put those two together and they spell dinner. Pavlov would be proud.

Meow.

Thu DEC 21

This was my favorite Christmas card this year:
(Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Rock)

-- Opie

This was my favorite Christmas card this year:

-- c.c.

Thu DEC 28

Things have quieted down since Monday. Monday morning the Husband and Wife got up early and proceeded to rip up all the colorful paper that they had carefully spent the entire weekend placing over various-sized boxes. They seemed to enjoy it. Then they wadded it up into balls and threw them around the room for us to chase. I chased a couple to let them know I appreciated them, then curled up on the back of the chair by the tree (I've learned that it's the safest outa-the-way place in the room ). But c.c. kept after the wads of paper. She ended up batting most of them down the stairs. Kids.

It was Christmas, and I've experienced this phenomenon at least eight times before, and I kinda know instinctively what to expect. It's a feel-good time for the humans, which is passed on to their faithful felines.

When we were fed a second time before the Husband and Wife left, I knew that it meant they wouldn't be returning 'til late. So I got comfortable and prepared for a long series of catnaps. Of course, this was all new to c.c., and she batted those paper wads for most of the morning.

The Husband and Wife had left all the stuff that was in the boxes scattered all around the living room when they left. That's very unlike them (well, unlike the Wife anyway). Darkness came and c.c. was hanging out in the kitchen, awaiting the return of the folks who feed her. She then came over and hung out by me for the evening, since I'm her surrogate human. My apparent non-concern for the absence of humans at feeding time reassured her that this was not a serious problem.

The Husband and Wife did return late, as I had surmised. They had still more boxes of stuff that they piled on top of this morning's boxes. Then they fed us and went directly to bed. They were very tired.

It was too cold to be spending the night exploring outdoors, so both c.c. and I took our places at the foot of the bed.

A happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Sun DEC 31


I'm turning over the final entry of the year (not that calendars mean anything to felines - we don't need 'em) to c.c. 'cause she's gotta start somewhere, and this weekend she's just bustin' at the seams to relate a new experience. So without further ado, here is c.c:

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SNOW! It's great! I don't believe I've ever seen anything like it! The Husband was out in it having fun with a big shovel, and I joined him. The stuff is soft and offers no resistance, but there's so much of it! At first I sat under one of the vehicles and observed as the Husband moved large amounts out of my way. Eventually he made a little wad of the stuff and rolled it to me. Being a cat, my natural reaction was to swat at it. That stuff really moves! And with the least little effort!

Pretty soon I was chasing these things around all the places where the Husband had cleared the snow away. Then he tossed one over onto where there's usually grass, and I bounded after it, only to disappear into its vastness. I was so surprised I darted back under the truck, covered with little flakes. Once I regained my composure, I realized it was fun! So I went bounding into it again, burrowing under it, leaping straight up, then burrowing again.

The Husband was laughing loudly at this point, so I came running over to him to see what was so amusing. He threw handfuls of the flakes at me and I tried batting at them furiously, but they're too wifty to make any contact, and I soon gave up on that. Then he went back to wadding up the flakes in little balls and rolling them up the driveway, and I would chase them and bat them 'til they fell apart.

Eventually the Husband went inside and left me to explore the stuff on my own, which I did. I wonder if Opie knows about this stuff? I did realize that it was going to be much too difficult making my way to the cat door at the back of the house. I had to be subjected to the indignity of meowing to be let in the front door.

But it was worth it. That stuff is just made for cats. And its so cool! I wonder where they got it?