Of Practical Cats: January 2016

Sherlock Holmes is a brown tabby with white, short hair male. His tweedy looks and penchant for being a snoop landed him this moniker.

This is a very curious young man, who, when not exploring prefers to carefully consider his investigations from atop the toy basket. Here, he lets his mind work over cases while he indulges his recreational catnip hobby.

Sherlock does not favor being held, but apparently thinks much better while his chin and cheeks are being delicately scratched. Should he notice you, he may even purr in thanks.

The fastest way to Sherlock's heart is through his stomach. At any inkling that food might be happening somewhere, he is most attentive and bends all of his investigatory might toward finding the source of that food and capturing it.

Mycroft Holmes is a black and white tuxedo short hair male. Mycoft is Sherlock's much more snappy dressing brother. Always in the best of suits with a neat mustache and beard, this is a gentleman that knows his finery.

Mycroft is a fierce hunter, and his dangerously sharp mind is always plotting how best to spring his trap upon unsuspecting catnip mice. Whereas his brother mostly ignores the humans around him, Mycroft prefers a more indolent and indulgent life, eschewing the uncomfortable chaos of the toy basket for a good stretching out spot on a couch. His favorite spot for napping is atop a large purple floor pillow where he snoozes like royalty.

Mycroft is also the more human-centric of the brothers. He greatly enjoys a good cuddle and scratch and has even been know to do so cat yoga while he is being so cosseted by his human servants.

Patient Zero, budding artist

Patient Zero
Status: Adopted
Now named Subzero, this feisty little guy was my first catch of the year. He now owns a human named Angel and is appropriately worshiped.

Number One and Caramel
Status: Adopted
Under the new assumed names of Sable and Carmy, these two cuddled their way right into Sue's heart, her bed and pretty much everything in her house. It's actually their house now, but they let Sue stay because she gives good snuggles, has thumbs and is experienced at opening cans.

Cheeto and Dorito

Caramel, Isolde, Scully, Cheeto and Dorito

Status: Adopted
These ginger brothers were rather hard to tell apart, so it's good that they went to a new home together. They now live with a nice lady who found her house to be devoid of cats. The boys have fixed that.

Isolde
Status: Adopted
This tabby darling is now the sweetheart of a boy named Tristan. But, it's not going to work out like in the story, because that would be weird.

Edgar Allen and Montressor

Status: Adopted

Edgar and Montressor came from the Halloween trio of black kittens who all won themselves Poe names. This pair of brothers was adopted by a pair of sisters and collectively, I imagine they are plotting some world domination or maybe eating tuna and finishing homework, respectively.

Annabel Lee and Lenore

Status: Adopted / Returned / Adopted Again

Both of these girls had a rough time before they were fostered. Annabel so underweight that we really concerned for her health and Lenore with a tail so broken that it had to be amputated. Their first home didn't work out because they helped their new dad rediscover his asthma. After a brief stint back at the Kittenasium, a home was found for them that was just right. Annabel can live on Jennifer's face and chest while Lenore can chill with Justin. It's working out nicely.

Catherine Earnshaw and Linton

Status: Adopted

Catherine and Linton were a sibling pair that just would not be parted. Thankfully, they found a family who was totally ok with that.

Heathcliff

Status: Adopted

Mina and Dorian

Now known as Jake, this little ginger fella is enjoying life with his new moms. He is being spoiled rotten with a ton of new toys and is working on winning his way into the heart of his older adopted sister kitty, who still isn't too sure of his intentions.

Mina Harker and Dorian Grey

Status: Adopted

The inseparable pair of siblings arrived and left together. Mina was aggressively friendly and like to hang out on faces. Dorian was cool just hanging out next to humans. Thankfully they found a new mom and dad who adopted them together so they continue their madcap adventures and hardcore naps together.

Allen Quatermain... waiting

Allen Quatermain

Status: Fostering

This grey and white little fella isn't too sure about people still, but he came from the mean streets behind a 24 hour Checkers. We're still trying to convince him that people are swell and have nice food for him. Right now, he really likes it under my bed.

Scully

Status: Foster Failure / Adopted
After taking the professional name of Scully, the kitten formerly known as Rolo decided she liked Kristen the Cat Lady rather a bit and wanted to keep sleeping on her pillow. So, there she stayed. Seriously, she's still there, on my pillow. I think the whole bed may be hers now, but she lets me sleep there... for now.

Kitler

Status: Back from Meowschpringe

Hopefully for good this time. This cow kitty needs to stop falling out of first floor windows. He's still pretty sure everyone is going to murder him, but he now contemplates his paranoia in the same room as guests. People now can believe that Kitler really exists.

Neville

Status: King of his Castle

Neville is large, in charge, and as friendly as can be. I see none of this changing.

Overview: By the Numbers

Housecats at beginning of 2015: 2
Housecats at end of 2015: 3
Fosterlings: 17
Fosterlings adopted: 16
Remaining fosters from 2015: 1
Litterboxes: 5
Toys on sticks that survived the year: 4
Toys on sticks that did not survive the year: 3
Happy Kristen hearts: 1

Of Practical Cats

Friday, January 22, 2016

Mina and Dorian in their new home

Soft Kitty, a photo essay with Alan Quatermain

Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Clever Holmes Brothers

2015: State of the Kitties