Earlier this summer I was kittysitting for the couple who used to live next door, but now live about 5 minutes away in a quiet cul de sac. Their apartment is larger than it was in my building & they have a lot of nice dark wood furniture & a comfy couch. Their 4 cats all have very distinct personalities & I enjoy interacting with each of them.

   Ginger is the Grande Dame & the others don't mess with her, even though she's quite elderly & frail under that beautiful long hair. She spent most of the time napping by the living room window, drenched in sunlight. Though she gets special food because of her health conditions, she prefers to eat the regular food in the other cats' dishes. She ignored me when I tried to persuade her otherwise.

    Winston is a burly kitty who has has turned into a bit of a lap cat as he ages. He takes up my whole lap & is a big, warm bundle of fur curled there. He likes to chase things for a brief time too, but especially to sleep on their big bed, right in the middle of the pillow.

    Sheevie is the most playful. Not only does she nab balls in mid-air, but spends loads of time playing with her birthday gift. It's a circular track with an electronic mouse. She's determined to catch that mouse! It doesn't even need to be turned on for her to be swatting the fake rodent. She's also quite possessive of it, watching Ginger with an eagle eye when the older cat stopped by it to have a look.

    Jelly may be my favorite. The other cats beat her up(except for Ginger), so she can't be out with them, instead, has the spare bedroom as her own. She was abused when young & is very nervous, though she has a calm, caring home now. Once she feels safe with a person, she becomes very cuddly, wanting constant petting & ear scritches. Her vulnerability moves me to tears & I spend a lot of time with her in case she's lonely. Her window is at tree top level, allowing her to birdwatch in the apple trees outside. We saw finches, cardinals & sparrows hopping among the branches.

    I spent 3 days with the kitties that time, coming home at dusk. It was quiet & peaceful in their cozy apartment & I was sorry to have to leave early on the last day because of a doctor's appointment. It had been like a vacation for me, too.