I only ever had two cats.  A feral old tom when I was a child that I could
only pet on the top of the head or be seriously slashed.  Many years later
came Kitty FC.  I have to be very careful with her too, everything is on
*her* terms.  One day I can pet her, another day I can't.  Sometimes she
really wants to climb on me and meatloaf, purring, and another time she
doesn't and will scratch and bite..  So, that's what I thought all cats were
like, that was my experience of them.
Then Boyfriend came.  He was first noticed in the garden with Kitty.  Now
Kitty is very intolerant of other cats in her territory, so it seemed
logical to think he was her "boyfriend" and that's how he got his nickname
which has stuck.
He's changed my mind about what I previously thought cats were like.
He does not have a scratch or bite in him.  He is very polite about asking
for food, if he wants some he just wipes himself so gently round my legs
that I can hardly feel it.
My brother came a few days ago, and wanted to pet him.  BF wasn't too keen.
"If I try to stroke him, will he scratch me?"  Absolutely not, he would
rather run away.  He allowed one cheek scritch and ran.
I just love him to bits.  As far as I'm concerned he's the loveliest, most
handsome, most gentle cat that ever lived.  Of course he isn't.  Lots of you
have equally lovely cats.  I know that.
So you will all have to excuse a proud meowmie who says BF is brilliant and
exceptional.
He is.  Really.
Definitely the nicest cat in the world. (OMG I can't believe I said that!)
<duck and run>

Tweed

She doesn't deserve him.

Tweed

These are my first two cats.  I've never known anything like that before. If
they are capable of that kind of thought, I would have expected BF to let
her cross her legs longer than she could, and laugh at her.  She is horrible
to him 12/24 at least.
He could have got his own back!  He didn't.  Awwww.

Tweed

Oh yeah, and their ability to--well-- um-- Mimi (RB)  used to
helpfully whap Stinky when he did things *she* had been been stopped
from doing. ;)

Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com

Scritch given and he very nearly purred.

Tweed

I haven't been a cat person for long (always had dogs.)   Both of mine came
uninvited.  I'm beginning to notice their different intelligence from that
of dogs.
Why would it matter to Boyfriend whether Kitty wanted to wee or not?  What
would make him come to my side and miaow to draw my attention to her waiting
at the door?  He was comfortably asleep before that on the settee in a
different room.
It was very clear that he wanted me to notice Kitty waiting at the back
door.  I was busy doing something and he said a very loud miaow which made
me look at him.  He then looked into the kitchen, so I did, and saw Kitty,
desperate to go out, not able to make me notice her.
Once she was let out, BF retired back to bed.  I still don't understand if
this was an altruistic action or just a coincidence.
Surely, it cannot be.  Are animals capable of being altruistic?  We are told
not.
Well, it seemed to me that Boyfriend was asking me to open the door for
Kitty who was unable to make me hear with her silent miaow.
To me, that is truly amazing. There is no benefit to him in doing it, so why
should he?  Why didn't he just stay asleep where he was comfortable?  Why
should he ask me to open the door for Kitty when he didn't want to go out
himself?   <cats puzzle me>

Tweed <--back to work tomorrow, expect very few posts.  I'll miss you all,
you lovely lot.

Awwww! How sweet!
Christine