I admit, I really dug being an only cat. I couldn't wait to be the star of this blog! Okay, maybe not. When I get attention, I get suspicious and like to hide. I suppose I'm not star material. I guess I take after my Momma. I'm lucky she understands my need for privacy. The kitten certainly doesn't! She's all up in my grill 24/7/365.
She takes the first choice of everything around here. I can't even lay on my scratcher in peace if she wants it!
OH! And don't forget that she destroyed my LAST scratcher! I DID get a new scratcher out of the deal, so I guess it's all good. By my old scratcher smelled like Bear and my new one doesn't ...
This kitten is a know-it-all! I tried Bear's trick of pretending to be dead and telling her I was dead, but she saw through it. Something about dead things not being able to talk. Who knew? Latte doesn't fall for the "hide and seek" game either. Bear used to tell me we'd play hide and seek and I should hide first. I'd come out three hours later to find him sound asleep in his favorite bed! How rude!
Some of the common advantages of having a fur sibling are: someone to blame stuff on, grabby hand sharing and someone to play with. Well, I never misbehave (really!), so I don't have to worry about blaming my bad behavior on another cat (and it didn't work so well for Bear because Momma knew I'm a good girl!). I keep my claws and fangs to myself (except for on my scratchers) and never make a mess. But let me tell you, just like with Bear, Latte makes me look like an angel! I hear Momma say, "Ellie, you're such a good girl," like a hundred times a day. And I am. Momma and Daddy call me the prettiest, sweetest kitty cat in the whole world. That's quite a compliment and I know I've earned it. Nothing makes me happier than sitting in their laps after I do my dance for them.
Sometimes, they call me other things [than the prettiest, sweetest kitty cat in the whole world]. Like when my Momma has to chase me around with my food plate to get me to eat enough. The kitten has her games and I have mine. But I enjoy eating her food when she's too busy doing kitten-stuff to eat it.
I do like another cat being here to share the grabby hands. How many times can a girl just get to sleep or get her fur just how she likes it only to be picked up by a human with grabby hands?
I may be super-patient - but sometimes I have enough and I put my paws down. Momma and Daddy are always so proud of me when I don't let the kitten push me around. But they also know that when I'm mad, I'm REALLY mad and I won't let it go. The kitten never sees it coming. But really, Latte kind of just steamrolls over me for the most part. I admit I use a lot of Bear-words around her, that's for sure! [Bear-words = swear words. Hahahaha.]
We do play and chase each other around. It's actually kind of fun - except that the boundaries between play and "I'm going to kill you" get kind of thin. It's all fun and games until one kitten crosses the line.
One of our favorite games involves Latte in the pantry and me on the other side of the door. We like playing whacky-paws through the crack in between the open door and the door jamb.
Then again, she really wins a few. The other day, I was sitting on the dry edge of the bathtub after Momma got her shower. The kitten saw me moving behind the shower curtain and jumped at me, knocking me into the wet bathtub. In case you don't remember, I really HATE getting wet. Well played, kitten. Well played. She's really good at jumping out at me from behind things. She scares the turtle knuckles out of me!
The kitten really wants to snuggle with me - but I just don't like her that way. Maybe after she calms down a little bit I might be more open to sharing warmth with her.
The kitten is crazy. Really crazy. If the humans put something down that's not bolted there, the kitten will take off with it. She's crazy for shoelaces. And she plays fetch. I'm not sure what's wrong with her. She also really likes to help the humans. Momma can't do anything without a kitten all up in her grill.
OH! And the kitten likes to PLAY in water?! What the friskies is that about? She drops our toys in our water bowl and plays in the bathroom sink. Ick!
Like Bear, the kitten enjoys Momma's desk chair. It's pretty funny to watch Momma's face when she comes to sit down at her desk and the kitten is all comfy on her desk chair.
This kitten has no conception of being a lady though! She has no compunctions about laying on her back, legs spread. Kids these days.
You want to know what, though? Just like Bear, Latte is so sure in her convictions that she'll run into a wall full speed and make a Latte-sized hole in the wall before admitting she's misguided.
Latte also really loves biting. Luckily, she usually doesn't bite toes or butts anymore. But she uses the humans [and me] as chew toys. I just don't understand: I would never use my teeth on my humans. Besides, you never know where those arms and fingers have been.
Bear wasn't wrong about sharing. Sharing selfishness is for sissies.
When you're the cat who wants to share (like I wanted with Bear), it's great. But when you're the cat whose little sister is sticking her nose in your food plate, sharing sucks. Bear was so smart about so many things! Though Momma gets upset when I share Bear's bits of wisdom with Latte. She thinks it's setting a bad example and teaching the kitten how to be difficult. HA! The kitten is a bad example and difficult already! I'm not a bad example, I just tell the truth, like Bear. On a related note, it IS fun to lie to the kitten every so often to see her do something stupid. Can you believe she climbed in the couch when I told her it was a time machine?!? I guess Bear did the same thing to me, but when it's your sisfur doing the crazy stuff, it's pretty funny.
Let's see. What do have in common so much that we fight about it? We both love our people. We love boxes!
We both love sparkle balls and toy micey. Latte carries them all over the house in her mouth. What's that girl thinking?
I still have a few tricks to teach Latte about being ferocious. OH! We both really LOVE catnip. And our scratchers. I like upright and horizontal scratchers and use both for scratching. Latte just likes to steal our horizontal scratchers to annoy me - but she climbs our vertical scratcher [and the back of Momma's desk chair].
My secret pleasure? Because the kitten is so obnoxious while Momma sleeps, she sleeps with her door closed. But I get to be in the room with her if I want. I love Momma and having my time with her, but the best part of that deal is getting some time away from the kitten. When Momma was sick, I did my best to be the purr-fect nurse, but Latte kept chasing me away from Momma and/or being distracted by my tail. I get it. My Momma is pretty wonderful so I can understand Latte wanting Momma to herself. But Momma always makes sure I get my time with her. And Daddy makes sure I get my daily required intake of treats (he doesn't have to chase me around to get me to eat those!). The silver lining of sharing one's life with a kitten? The kitten doesn't know the sound of the treat bag yet so I get them all to myself!
So is having a sisfur purr-fect? No. But it's okay. I still miss Bear though. He had so much more to teach me and now how will I ever learn those things? You know, my Momma and Daddy have so much love to give, I guess it's only fair that another cat gets some of it.
© 2022 Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat - Written and Published by Katherine Kern.
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Featured posts:
- To catch up on the past interactions between Ellie and Latte ...
- If you missed some of the fibs Bear told Ellie in attempts to fool or scam her:
- Momma's vacation[ish].
- WTF?!?!
- The pain button.
- Crazy 'R Us!
- What's going on around here?
- The Christmas calamity, part 2.
- Not my circus, but yes, they are my monkeys.
- Bear talks about the old days.
- Bite club.
- The big bad wolf, alien buffalos, and lots more nonsense.
- An expandable carrier for expanded needs.
- Bear's barf-a-palooza.
- Ellie's day, kind of.
- Momma's birthday.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaw Ellie, I's totally know what ya' mean. going from the baby to the older fursib takes some adjustments. But, it can be fun. Altho', I's kinda likedd being alone with mommy too. It was a lot of hard work fur one kitty, but the rewards sure were nice. No Sharing!!! MOL Glad things are going well. Big hugs
ReplyDeleteLuvs ya'
RaenaBelle and Zebby
If Latte and I had a grooming session like you two, you'd better believe Momma would be in tears and taking a gazillion pictures! ~Ellie Mae
DeleteFolks used to ask if Madi was lonely being an only. Of course who knew.. What I did know is she and her littermate Lucy were in a shelter cage together. My brother in law adopted Lucy. Our plan was whenever any of us traveled we'd look after the sisters together. ABout 3 weeks after they were adopted Lucy came to stay with us, supposedly, for a week. Within seconds after my BIL left here to head to the airport, there was hissin' and spittin' and fur flying. They acted as if they had never seen each other. they were just 3 months old. Very sharp fangs and daggers. I was so worried they would be hurt. I took Lucy back home the next day. Then for the remainder of the week I went to Lucy's house for lunch and a visit. SO long answer is Madi was happy being an only
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
I believe that. Some cats are better as onlys. Kitty was the same way.
DeleteOh Ellie ~ so glad to see all the awesome photos of you ~ you are adorable and sooooo smart ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you laughter in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Maybe you can tell Latte that? Because she thinks I'm not so smart. Little sisfurs! ~Ellie Mae
Deleteellie; pleez ta forgivez if ewe hurd sum laffin.....we iz knot laffin AT ewe but WITH ewe... even tho prob ablee for de most part.... ewe iz knot laffin.... yur self....eye am kinda takin a trip down memoreez lane heer....what when de big katoona waz still heer .....sew latte...eye get it :)
ReplyDeleteoh, N ya forgetted ta say... ya both iz gorgeouz ;) ♥♥
You better believe I laughed my *** off when Latte got stuck in the couch and Momma accidentally closed her in the refrigerator. She's a strange cat. But the rest isn't funny to me ... yet. I'll let you know if that changes :) ~Ellie Mae
DeleteEllie, it's hard to adjust to a new kitty - but it's worth the trouble!
ReplyDeleteErm ... exactly when does it become worth the trouble? Asking for a friend ... ~Ellie Mae
DeleteI'm sure, if you neditate and listen carefully, Bear's thoughts and instructions, his untold secrets will come to you. Be the Buddhist cat that we see in your good ways – well nearly all good ways, MOL
ReplyDeleteKittens are, I think inevitable. Like the necessary storm in life that sweeps away the winter gloom and grime and leaves a sparkling spring of hope and love. Hmm, I think I may have just heard Bear groaning about how thats for wimps from over the ether.
Anyways, a great post. Fun and good times will, we are sure, only add to your diary of kitten antics ;)
Purrs
ERin
I like that. "Kittens are inevitable." Though, perhaps the more appropriate saying would be "kittens happen." Hahaha. ~Ellie Mae
DeleteElle! Darling! I, Marv say - you are still the most beauteous! (Though Latte is kind of cute). I, too, was not happy about having siblings thrust upon me. I LOVED being my Mom's one and only, but furblings do make life exciting! Thanks for sharing your Latte with us, it was terrific to see you again, and we hope you, Latte and your Peeps have a marvellously happy week!
ReplyDeleteFursibs do make life interesting. Yesterday, the humans had a running commentary on Latte and my interactions for several hours. I was ready to just tell them to turn on the TV for a show. ~Ellie Mae
DeleteYou are both so cute and funny xx
ReplyDeleteI'm cuter though, right? ~Ellie Mae
DeleteNorman shares your sisterly pain yet he always tries to protect her when a dog barks at us. He doesn't like that and suspect you'd defend her too.
ReplyDeleteNorman sounds like a gentleman - much like Sam!
DeleteSomething tells me once Latte grows up a little into a proper ladycat you two will be the best of friends :)
ReplyDeleteYou think she'll ever be a proper lady cat?! I have my doubts ... ~Ellie Mae
DeleteNot to worry sweetest Ellie, your Momma loves you so much and will always protect you, so let her and get more of that behind closed door time, you've earned it.
ReplyDeleteYou SOOOO understand me! She DOES protect me ... but when I get really mad, there's no protecting Latte from my fury. ~Ellie Mae
DeleteDo as Bear would do. Make mischief but know that deep down both of you are lucky and loved.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think I would've learned how to misbehave from Bear - but I'm 98% good girl. The other 2% is only when the kitten really ****es me off. ~Ellie Mae
DeleteI think you love your new sister and don't want to admit it- like Bear did to you. XO
ReplyDeleteHmph. We'll see. She IS adorable ... even if she's more annoying than adorable. ~Ellie Mae
DeleteIt's sometimes hard to adjust with a new member in the family, but time works miracles. You're both so cute ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteThank you. When exactly should I expect this miracle? Asking for a friend ... ~Ellie Mae
DeleteIt is just kitten exuberance, Ellie. She will calm down as she gets older and I think you will become snuggle buddies. You will just have to grit your teeth and bear it until then.
ReplyDeleteI have a few different terms for it than kitten exuberance, but I'll take your word for it! ~Ellie Mae
DeleteOh dear, Ellie, we've gotta say- Latte IS quite adorable. But you both are, and don't let anyone tell you any different. That last photo of all three of you is priceless!
ReplyDeleteI know! We LOVE that picture!
DeleteEllie, y’know, I’ve gotten quite comfortable being an only cat. The mom was worried about me, that I would be lonely, but I kinda like having all the attention on me. But I’m a lot older than you. Being younger, you really will benefit from having Latte around. Though I know she can be a pain in the you know what. ~Ernie
ReplyDeleteI'm not THAT much younger than you. I'm almost 11! Momma didn't adopt me until I was 6. I'll make living with Latte work ... but only because Momma asked me nicely. ~Ellie Mae
DeleteOh, Ellie, we imagine it must be difficult getting used to your new boss role. Plus, it requires others to follow your rules, but it sounds like Latte isn't quite down with that yet. It's probably because she is a kitten, and we have our paws crossed that you two can be (dare we say it?) buddies at some point. XO
ReplyDeleteI don't know about buddies ... but I'll be nice to her. I wouldn't really know how to be mean anyway! ~Ellie Mae
DeleteAMARULA: Latte! of course Ellie Mae is jealous of all the attention you are getting. She doesn't understand that we torties (and even imperfect torties such as yourself)always get all the attention! We can't help it that we are just so gorgeous and adorable. I loved hearing that you send EM into a tub of water!! Genius! I am going to try that with Frodo!
ReplyDeleteErmm ... imperfect? I mean, isn't the term "imperfect tortie" an oxymoron? ~Latte
DeleteI remempurr when I was a baby kitteh. I was 3 months old and so pwecious. But Hwermie later admitted he was jellus of me cuz Momma paid a lot of attenshun to me when he normally got that attenshun. I explained that I was new, and that I lost my birf momma when she abandoned me. I needed a momma too, and asked him to share his momma wif me. We got a lawyer and worked out the contract, and evfurrything went smoothly from that point on. So very happy for Latte getting a wonderpurr forever home, and for Ellie being a fabulous big sisfur. Love, Dori
ReplyDeleteCan you share the phone number of the lawyer you used? Preferably, he/she shouldn't find kittens cute. ~Ellie Mae
DeleteSounds like you have a lot going on over there, Ellie. I can't believe she scared you into that wet bathtub! That last photo of the three of you is adorable, even if Latte is in the photo too.
ReplyDeleteShe's everywhere I am! ~Ellie Mae
Delete