It Takes Two - Rod Stewart & Tina Turner

 It's funny what an impact pets can have on the family dynamic.

I was a complete emotional mess when I had to have Jazz the Wondercat put to sleep recently. It really wasn't helped much by my insisting on being there with him and holding him until the end and then digging a grave for him in our back yard. In the end I had to use an axe to cut through tree roots in the spot I chose, right next to where his sister Venus was buried. I decided at the time that I would wait a few months before getting another pet.

It sounded like the right thing to do but I found it really strange not having a pet around the place so I started checking out the website of the local SPCA and hinted to Ian that it might be nice to go and have a look at the cats one day. So.... four weekends ago we did just that, we went to LOOK at the cats. Ian knew that it was probably going to be more than just looking and put the cat box in the boot of the car, just in case. He's such a clever man.

After playing with the cats for a wee while we decided that two stood out for being totally adorable and for differing reasons. I always knew it was going to be a hard job for any cat to come close to Jazz the Wondercat so we got two instead. They are nowhere close to claiming Wondercat status yet so for the time being I'm calling them our Gorgeous Girls.

Ladies and Gentlemen may I introduce you to Paisley and Ollie...

Here they are next to the fire, caught in the act of grooming before bedtime. Paisley is a 15month old black beauty with bewitching eyes who has already decided that she will be top cat. Probably as she considers herself to have more life experience having had a litter of kittens. She mothers Ollie a little and helps her with her grooming but then gives her a quick whack every now and then to enforce her dominance. Ollie is a 12 month old grey and white silky fluff ball with olive eyes. Her official name was Olive but we've opted to use Ollie instead. She was found under a house in Eketahuna and no-one knew where she had come from.

They have been very good at sleeping in the baskets I prepared with rugs for them. Here we have Paisley opting for the mohair rug and almost disappearing into it. But I must admit, I do leave the bedroom door open for them at night and if it's cold they do both jump onto the bed... in an attempt not to incriminate myself I will not say who is the most content with the situation.

Ollie has already learned that because both her daddies are knitters... there is always a ball of yarn lying around to play with. This is the sweet innocent "Who me... claw your tumbling blocks cushion... no, not me" look I'm finding hard to resist/believe.

And here is Paisley... sunbathing on the rug in our bedroom. I think it's safe to say that these two fur balls have landed on their feet at Scarlet Oak Cottage and as I'm back into the swing of blogging again you'll be seeing and hearing more of our two Gorgeous Girls as they earn their way to Wondercat status.

Comments

[Anna]

Oh well done!!! They are gorgeous and just what is needed, obviously. A lovely way to honor Jazz by rescuing these pretty kitties.

[WS]

They both look extremely happy and contented - what good "daddies" you both must be! It sounds like they're already a nice part of your life. :-)

[James]

Yes they have settled very well... they are constantly telling us they are hungry, sometimes less than five minutes after their dinner!

[Margaret]

What a pair of Lovelies ! I am sure they will bring much joy and keep each other company, while Daddies are not home.
So sorry to hear about Jazz, but you have to be kind and not let them suffer.
I think your Bio needs an update :) it says Ian doesn't knit,but it would seem he has joined the ranks of the hopelessly yarn affected.

[Sarah]

Ohhhh your babies are adorable! Long way to go to Wondercat status, but they look like they are well on the way to being loved (and perhaps a bit spoilt) members of your family. I like that they are both so different from each other and hope you are enjoying their individual personalities. Thanks for sharing photos of your new gals with us, so damn cute!! xx

[anne marie in philly]

YAYZ! new kitties in your life! beautiful girls, and rescue kitties are the best! enjoy them and cherish them!