Last month I got to kittysit for the Holders, a couple who used to live next door, but moved a few blocks away. They were attending a festival & wanted me to feed their 5 cats, including a new one named Cosmo that I hadn't met yet. All the others like me, since I've done this before, but I was worried that the new youngster wouldn't. Thankfully,he was quite friendly when I met him the night before they left. He's about 6 months old, affectionate, playful and has a long, slinky body that indicates a Siamese ancestor.
The other playful kitty, calico Sheevie (above), hid the night before, but was happily greeting me within 5 minutes of arriving the next day. She gets irritated with Cosmo, who horns in on games, but I did manage to play with her seperately so she didn't feel neglected. They are very similar, so I don't understand why they don't get along better.
Jelly(above) is the one who was abused before she was adopted, so has a room of her own. I spent a lot of time with her, showering her with affection & she even played with my shoestring awhile. Though there's lots of toys around, she doesn't give them much more than a glance, so I was thrilled to entertain her. 
Ginger is nearly 20 years old & still lovely with her long fur. She mostly sleeps on the big pillows in the living room or on their bed. She is on a special diet, which is served in a bowl shaped like a crown, but usually helps herself to the other cats' food instead.
Winston, the burly male, would patrol the place a few times a day and always popped up at mealtimes.In cooler weather he will sit on my lap like a purring heating pad, but it was too warm in August. A couple times he & Cosmo chased each other through the house, light-colored blurs streaking by. I have no idea who won these skirmishes.<
The Holders returned on Friday evening, relaxed & excited by what they saw, showing me pictures they'd taken with their cell phones. It was much too short a time that I got to spend with their cats, but I had fun. Missing out on so many things this summer because of sickness, it had felt like a mini vacation for me too. Snuggling a few kitties will do that.
