Jozef and Walter love Spring
They each have a bench either side of the front door where they love to sit or lie in the mornings when we get the sun at the front of our house. From there they can watch the comings and goings of the neighbours, but once they see the postman making his way round the Grove they move round to the back garden, they’re not keen on anyone approaching them outside and this is something we encourage because although most people are kind, there are some who may not be.
In the back garden they have two chairs side by side near the back fence where the sun shines as it climbs over the rooftops. Sometimes if Walter is feeling mischievous he creeps along and bites Jozef’s bum through the gap in the chair, that puts an end to any sunbathing.
They will be very disappointed if the weather changes again, which it could do as we sometimes still have snow even up to the end of April in the North East of England.
But hopefully the winter is almost over, we have snowdrops blooming, daffodils in bud and the bluebell leaves are starting to appear. The birds are singing their Spring songs and we even had a tiny, empty eggshell on the lawn this week, so baby birds are hatching already.
The ‘silly season’ for cats is here when there seems to be more cats passing through our garden and Walter gets agitated about that, he has seen two intruders off lately and has a couple of little war wounds to prove it! Not serious thank goodness so no vet trips, they just needed bathing and a close watch kept on them.
Jozef is a pacifist and will only fight if he has to, but once he is annoyed woe betide the cat who takes him on, he’s small but deadly.
The two women who recently moved in almost opposite to us and who we thought had one kitten, actually have five quite young cats of various colours. Already territories have been established and they mostly stay over their own side of the street, although sometimes Walt and Jo go over to ‘read’ the latest data in their garden.
We’ve also seen the women setting off to walk their three large dogs and a little tabby and white cat running along behind, they all seem to get on together and the cats come and go through the living room window which is left open for them.
Jozef is really enjoying his freedom now that it’s warmer out. Last week he brought a rabbit home, only the second rabbit he’s ever caught and we have no idea how he managed to kill it and bring it home and up onto the box outside the window as it was almost as big as him. We did feel sorry for it but there was nothing we could do for it by then other than bury it in the garden.
The worst thing for us about Spring is that as it gets light earlier the boyz think it’s morning all the sooner. At present they start working on us at 5am, eventually whichever one of us whose turn it is to get up early gives in and gets up and lets them out. Usually by 6.30am they’re back, tummies full and tucked up in the armchair and on the settee for a snooze.
They seem to love their life, they are both thirteen years old in the summer but still play like kittens, we put that down to good food and fresh air and a fulfilled life, it’s sad that all cats are not able to safely enjoy the outdoors these days.
It’s turned cold again here and this is Jozef is doing his doughnut impression lol
He looks cute. Cats bury their noses in fur. I wonder how they can breathe sometimes.
Me too Michael, when Jo comes under my duvet in the wee small hours I try to make an air tunnel to him lol but I don’t think cats are daft, he’d soon pop out if it got too stuffy.
I love finding a story like this with so many great pictures, comments and video when I’ve been away from POC for a few days. So refreshing. Just like the spring time.
Are you alright Dorothy? I hope your recent worries are over xx
Thanks Ruth. No, not yet. I’m in the middle of heartbreak. And, in amazement at Mother Nature.
Sending you love and strength all the way from England xx
Walter says ‘Oh no, not the paparazzi again, well I’m not turning around today’
The word harmony comes to mind and the picture is nicely symmetrical as well!
Calming and soothing for me.
Love it.
Our beautiful Jozef is serenity indeed
Walter moved so I only got his whiskers lol but aren’t they just manifique !
LOL!
The mover and shaker, that one!
Cat’s whiskers are one of the unappreciated bits of anatomy 😉
WHAT A SHOT!
Spectacular.
It’s turned cold again with rain in a strong wind so they boys are non too happy and have been snoozing upstairs in the warm bedrooms, it could snow yet, it’s cold enough but I hope not! First day of spring today.
Loved the video:) It was charming. Boy, what a lot of energy in that kitty!
I am glad that Spring is here too- although it is way too short as far as the temperatures are concerned. In just a few weeks the temp and humidity will be very uncomfortable.
We have a screened in pool area, and I would love to take the boys out for some fresh air… but the neighbor’s dogs are barking all the time, and wandering kitties set Sir Hubble Pinkerton’s “search and destroy” mode in operation. Unfortunately he takes his frustrations out on the bedroom furniture- spraying on anything his little heart desires.
Ruth, it sounds like your kitties have the best of both worlds- indoors and outdoor. Very lucking little felines.
Thanks Jo, yes we are very lucky to live here with gardens and cat friendly neighbourhood, we are driven mad with barking dogs too but it doesn’t bother our boyz as they know they are never running loose, for which we are truly thankful.
Walt is a sprayer too if he gets upset so we try to stay calm and not move things around too much.
Talk about cats rule OK lol
lol, well, Yes, you did, Walter. But look at how good you are! And you did not even sneeze and break it a second time! <3 You are an OK kitty–no, you are a most loved and adored cat, and so is your BETTER half, Jozef. [behave! you are just too darn cute to destroy! –even if Kattadora should send you to purrgatory, you won't STAY there. Good, Kitten, and good Daffodil! 😉
And, you sweet little kit’, just look at how that sunny yellow cupped bloom is so cheerfully saying to you, “Why, you were in your own li’l world, Walter, but you helped me ta gain a bit of wisdom jes’ a little early on with your playful curiosity!”
Ahem, Babz? and Where was Jozef, when this took place? hmmm….next door at the neighbor’s, you say? Wait! or was that Walter?
Anyway, that is a beautiful, lively little gem in the photo, sitting amidst the anemones in the vase next to the daffydill! 😉
Jozef was over the embankment I expect lol on rodent duty and the sun is coming out already today 7am so that’s where he will be now, I wonder what he will bring me as my reward for getting up at 5.30am? lol
The nenomies are only pretend ones but Ruth said the daffodil needed company but maybe I could break some more stalks today and we could have a vase full of real pretty flowers 🙂
Oh my, I thought it was from Walt, but it was from William Wordsworth…
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils!
🙂
One of my favourite poems Caroline xx
Maybe Walt was William Wordsworth in a past life? lol
lol, it would not be a surprise 😉
Walt, are you staying out of mischief? Soon, the bravest of the tulips will be waking up to the morning sun, ready to play. And then, my saucer eyed friend, what will you do then? Jozef cannot be keeping an eye on you allthe time, so try to behave, little one! 😉
Well Ruth tells me I’m an unkind boy today because Narla who gets left out long hours and comes for her dinner was on our wall and I chased her away but I haven’t broke any more flowers off their stalks.
Our Jozef went to bed and I had to run and meet Babz all on my own to welcome her home from work so see I’m not all bad am I auntie! 😉
Ruth, Barbara, just look at those daffodils, those flowerbuds! 🙂 Walter and Jozef must have a lark when the spring zephyr picks up! they can still chase the unrattled leaves, too, from last fall, yes? Cheers, mates. xxoo, kittens 🙂
See what happened yesterday in my game I broke a daffodil in bud half off its stalk and Ruth had to put it in water but see this morning it has bloomed and made it pretty in the house lol the ones outside haven’t got pretty yet 🙂
He looks very cute here. Waiting for the next bit of fun by the look of him.
He’s like a yoyo on a fine morning lol in and out, two brekkies ahead of Jozef already, he has gone a’hunting
I love that. Charlie should go outside. It is safe out there (no traffic for 300 yards and more) and plenty of safe areas but he is reluctant to. It think it is partly because he is no longer young. He is tired and less adventurous and walking is hard work with three legs.
Did you once say Charlie is around the same age as our Walt and Jo? Maybe he isn’t too sure of his territory yet, I know it’s a while since you moved there now but most cats take a good while to settle, especially older ones.
We dread if we ever have to move as it was hard finding this cat friendly place and at nearly thirteen it would be a huge change to our boyz, they’ve lives here since they were kittens.
Maybe you could lift him out? I’ll bet you do once in a while take him out there with you in the Springtime. I remember you once mentioning that he likes to exit the window in your where you are typing, is my memory correct?
Just once in a great while, when the air is warm and still, yet feels like Spring, I carry Mukaluck (20yrs and a bright-eyed tortie) outside, from her warm bed over the floor vent, so she can enjoy the fresh air and direct sun… I know that she appreciates it. It shows in her eyes 🙂 and disposition, even her appetite!
Love the Page so much, they look so happy. Reminds me of my cats they enjoy the outdoor/indoor living too. Its such a shame for other poc people they cant have that freedom i really feel for you all that cant do this.
I do too Kylee, Walt and Jo would drive us mad if they couldn’t go out, I suppose they’d have got used to it from being kittens, but indoor cats do miss out on such a lot.
Yea i couldnt imagine having to contain my animals inside. They really love it outside apart from when its raining hence they prefer to stay inside. Ill have to get organised and show some nz beauty some time soon. Also of my new kitty jasmin.
Yes I’d love to see all your cats and your NZ scenery too
Monty loves to go out even in the rain. He gets all soaking wet, shakes himself like a dog and then just keeps playing.
aww cute he sounds lovely.
I’ll do an article on how Monty enjoys the spring if we ever get spring around here! He and I at very jealous of you and your boys. No flowers here, just lots of ice. Monty seems to tolerate the cold better now than earlier in the winter so he goes out a lot. He like that the snow is frozen and crusty instead of fluffy, getting stuck between his toes. He would live to visit you in England if he could be transported there.
Monty would love England because even in the winter it’s not too cold for cats to go out, although Walter isn’t keen on cold weather it doesn’t bother our little toughie Jozef much at all. They both love a game of snowballs when the snow is soft, but we’ve hardly had any this Winter just going.
They’re such funny little chaps, they keep us laughing and we forgive them anything, even getting us up at 5am. Walter does allow himself some downtime from keeping watch on the neighbourhood, some time for playing and some for snoozing in MY chair! LOL
Picture perfect, R!
So wonderful that cats can be cats where you are.
That is Jozef in the video, right?
He plays like he’s a kitten at nearly 13 years old.
It says a lot about the care your boys get from you and Babz.
It’s actually Walter in the video, he loves that little orange ball, we just throw it once and he runs and plays. Jozef likes a red one and playing ‘goal’ in the house with me round the furniture lol
Yes we are so lucky to have small gardens at the front and a large one at the back, it’s ideal for our boyz.
Fooled me. I really thought it was Jozef.
I’m surprise that Walt has taken time off from his “work” to play so joyously. He’ll have his pay docked 3 valencia tea bags!
Do you think they know the difference between the orange and red balls?
Maybe the orange now smells like Walt and the red like Jozef and they know their own.
Whatever… it’s so much fun and Walt made me giggle.
Yes Walter likes orange and Jozef likes red. They both go very ‘over the top’ with their fun and games, then suddenly, like typical cats, lose interest and walk away.
This is the way the domestic cat should live. It is almost a model and a target for any would-be cat owner. All the boxes are ticked: two cats for company, two knowledgeable caretakers who are around a great deal of time. A safe outside space for a cat to be his wild self for a moment or two. Love it. It is really nice to see video. Brings it to life nicely. Thanks Ruth. Charming snapshot of English cat life at its best.
Thank you Michael, we recently sussed out how to make videos but not how to edit them or anything yet.
Editing isn’t that important because the raw video has a charm too. Simple editing is useful to remove the unwanted bits at the beginning and end.
Actually video editing can be challenging. It depends on the software but some is very complicated. I used to use Sony Vegas but they only make if or Windows PCs and I have a Apple Mac now (although you can run the Windows operating system on Apple computers these days).
Thanks Michael, we like things simple lol but I’m glad the little video of Walt came to you OK. It’s raining now so the grass will be soaked again, so we can’t mow it and it’s getting quite long.
I particularly like the video because it gives a very clear sense of what the lives of your cats are like. It is a very short video but it carries a very good message.
Yeah I really have to move house. Its so nice to see Walt and Jo enjoying the nice weather. They must be very happy. They are very lucky to have it all. Sounds like the neighbour opposite you likes animals too – that’s so nice. You really are lucky with your setup. It’s ideal.
Yes it’s ideal apart from the barking dogs around but as no one lets them run loose they are no problem, just aggravating at times, but it’s very live and let live here.
Yep you do:) For yourself and Your cats. 🙂