Cats, continued

Following up on yesterday’s post about saving the fur babies, I have more cute cat content to share today!

So, those who support my Patreon at any level get a monthly cat photo with a little bio, remembrance, or anecdote. Last week I shared a picture of my dear Rider, with the following description:

“As someone who never had progeny, my cats have always been my kids. This handsome fella came into my life a couple of years before the pandemic and kept me thoroughly entertained with his constant antics until I basically lost him in a custody battle with my ex. He was the only boy cat I ever adopted, so was the closest thing I had to a son. I don't know where or how he is now, but I hope he is happy, healthy, and in good spirits.”

For a little additional backstory, that “custody battle” was lengthy, intense, emotional, and tough, but I basically had to surrender Rider simply to get the ex out of my life for good. She was convinced he was “her cat” because he really loved her — and yes, they did have quite a strong bond — but I originally got Rider FOR ALTHEA so that she could have a new companion months after my beloved China Cat had crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Rider absolutely loved and looked up to Althea, and she adored him as well. We got him as a kitten, so he was young and rambunctious from the moment he crawled out of his shelter transport box. She immediately adopted him as her own, and they cuddled, tussled, groomed one another, and always slept in a big feline pile.

Rider was SUCH a big fan of food that he would quickly devour his from his bowl on the floor while she attended to her bowl on top of the kitchen island. Without fail he would finish first, then jump up and simply push her out of the way to complete what was left of hers. He would then jump down to make sure that bowl was empty, then swiftly return to the top of the island just to make sure he had finished every last scrap in both. He was definitely in the clean plate club.

After the ex took him, whenever it was feeding time, Althea would for many months jump up on the island, and then “scan” all four directions to see if and when he was going to run in from the other room for the feeding ritual. I guess due to the passage of time she has ceased that action and accepted the new norm. However, she still ALWAYS leaves him one or two little nuggets in the bowl, as pictured above. Maybe he still lingers in her subconscious, maybe she’s smart enough that she’s testing to see if those little nuggets are subsequently eaten once she’s finished — thereby signifying that he might still be around.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s absolutely adorable, though.

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