A Pooka Post

Did you know that we have two cats? When we looked ahead to how life would be after the Kumquat's arrival, we knew it would be a hard adjustment for Connor Cat because he is such a baby. We knew there would be a lot of resentment and rivalry from baby K's big brother. BUT, I also knew that he would make sure to get his affection needs met because, well, that's what the Big Kitty is all about. I honestly was a little more worried about my sweet Pooka kitty.
Little Pooka is our secret cat. She runs for cover any time someone comes over, so it's quite possible that you could spend a fair bit of time in our house and never know we had 2 cats. This was true even when we lived in a 500 sq. ft. apartment. :) The Pooka has always been a pretty self-sufficient kitty cat. Don't get me wrong... she loves her people and lets us know that all of the time. She's just much better at entertaining herself than a certain Big Kitty we know. She's out and about quite a lot and is very fierce when the need arises - usually when there's something on the hardwood floor that requires immediate pouncing. She is a very proper lady cat and generally sits with her feet just so to make sure the stripes on her legs line up. The rare Pooka Belly sighting is rewarded with a glimpse of the Pooka Dots that speckle her belly (and the roof of her mouth). She's always been my girly ally. Like a true girlfriend, she rushes to my side any time I'm crying and purrs and purrs to help me feel better. Connor and Ian tend to run for the hills. Boys. :) So, we have tried to make sure that we still give The Pooka the love and attention she needs. We have special Pooka Time each night when we go to bed. Pooka usually starts nudging us to go to bed by 10. Once there, she purrs like crazy and climbs all over us. She also loves to dig tunnels in the covers and attack the viscious blanket monsters that sometimes masquerade as our feet.

So, why this tribute to The Pooka? Well, yesterday we celebrated Pooka Day. The 8th anniversary of the day Pooka took a crazy run through the St. Louis airport with me, was a perfect angel on the plane, and came to Houston to join Connor Cat, who instantly feel in love with her. Is it excessive to celebrate such a day? Not to me. The kittens kept me company for YEARS when Ian was working 120 hour weeks and went through three moves to new cities where we didn't know anyone. They've taken good care of me over the years, so I think they deserve to be honored a bit.

One of my very first posts was written shortly after our move to Charlotte, when I was still looking for a job and had time to answer one of life's great mysteries... what do the cats do all day? Since I've shut down the old blog, I've pasted that post below... just in case you're interested in the daily goings-on in the world of a very Fierce Pooka.

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"No fairy is more feared in Ireland than the pooka. This may be because it is always out and about after nightfall, creating harm and mischief, and because it can assume a variety of terrifying forms."www.irelandseye.com

Since we've moved to Charlotte and my most important job has been the monotonous unpacking of boxes, I've had the opportunity to learn more about something that has always made me curious... what do the cats do all day? I've learned that I was right about Connor Cat. He eats and sleeps, which explains why he wants me to stay awake all night. The Pooka, on the other hand, is quite busy. Here is a sampling of her activities yesterday... a day in the life of a Pooka:

1. Wake up VERY early to give Ian plenty of hugs before he goes back to work.
2. Go back to sleep.
3. Eat breakfast.
4. Sit in the shower and get wet.
5. Use the box.
6. Wonder why I smell like poo.
7. Sleep.
8. Accidentally lock self in bathroom.
9. Engage in a very fierce battle with Carpet Fuzzy.
10. Keep an eye on The Kingdom from the window.
11. Try to figure out what the deal is with mirrors. Is that another cat or what?
12. Accidentally lock self in bathroom again.
13. Eat lunch.
14. Pounce Big Kitty.
15. Check on The Kingdom.
16. Try to figure out why bathroom door won't open anymore.
17. Walk up the stairs on the wrong side of the railing (and make Mae very glad the railing only goes up 5 stairs) before jumping down from the top step.
18. Sleep.
    
19. Go outside on patio.
20. Go back inside after about 20 seconds.
21. Eat dinner.
22. Check on The Kingdom.
23. Clean Big Kitty’s head.
24. Chase (toy) Mouse up and down the stairs.
25. Sing in the hallway.
    
26. Check on The Kingdom.
27. Sleep.
28. Build a tunnel in the bed sheets next to Mae.
29. Get hot and leave the tunnel.
30. Sleep.