Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Sleeping Positions

The past four freezing nights have meant all four cats are sleeping with us in bed. Good thing it's a king. Togo, the tortishell beauty kitty, gets hugely offended if she's sleeping on your stomach and you so much as twitch. She'll tense up and emit a tiny 'mmeww' and stalk away to a corner of the bed. She usually stays there, far away from disturbances such as twitchy feet or people turning over. Phoenix prefers my side at the foot of the bed so no one can touch her. Old man Scat is very Zen about being awakened, because he sleeps curled next to me, meaning he has to be moved at least three times a night when I get up to use the bathroom. (No kidneys you see). He just waits sleepily until I am settled back down and then resumes his position on my stomach or by my side. Lenny is a rogue element. (Or 'elephant.') He isn't nicknamed 'Lardo' for nothing, 'cause he's huge, a real lump. He prefers to burrow under a light blanket. Fortunately he generates a lot of heat. Unfortunately, when he's down for the count, he doesn't move, and when you move, he oozes into your 'spot' and doesn't relinquish it.

But one of my favorite sounds in the world are cats purring, which makes up for a multitude of annoyances. I love having the gang with us on the bed.

The cold snap has meant the 'coons and skunks have been mostly in hibernation. I have seen more skunks up on the terrace than coons. And three frozen turtles in the pond ice. I wonder if they're like koi in that they can freeze and then unthaw and be fine. I have never seen the pond frozen before, save a small place near the shore where the wild ones (mustangs) have kicked in the ice for their drinking water.

For a holiday treat, my friend S. gave me pecans and vanilla wafers to feed the coons, so when they're back they will be really excited. The occasional treat makes a big hit. We found a skunk den in the embankment of the hill leading to the studio. I'd love one of those snake cameras to see into their cozy nest. And yes, they do dig holes around the bird tree where the feeders hang, but I haven't found any other holes in the yard.

14 comments:

Chris said...

Our cats usually sleep elsewhere around the house, but the cold has brought young Voodoo to the bed recently. He sleeps at my feet and seems unperturbed when I kick him two or three times a night. They usually both sleep on the other foot corner during the day.

Unknown said...

I used to have a cat that sleep curled up under my arm. I kept getting sinus infections. They stopped after the doctor told me to keep the cat off the bed and preferably out of the bedroom. I am allergic and didn't realize it. Allergy testing later confirmed it. I was bummed, because I loved cuddling with my cat. When we lost him, we did not acquire any more. I am much healthier as a result, but I still miss having a cat sometimes. (But I don't miss the litter box!)

Anonymous said...

Our cats love to be in bed with us too. Our ragdoll Isis snores, like a grown man. It can be a little distracting to say the least. Sounds like you have a cozy situation goin' on!

JennyMac said...

Our cat is secluded while MiniMac is awake and the minute he goes to bed she is all over me. in the bed? NEVER. I am not a cat person. LOL.

Jazz said...

I miss having cats, the purring, the sleeping together.

It seriously sucks that Mr. Jazz has become allergic. Sometimes I think I should trade him in for cats. But he feeds me, so.... ;-)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by on my SITS day! My hubby is full of it too!

Alice in Wonderland said...

I just love cats! There is no other animal that are so laid back as cats!
And cats own people...not the other way around!
My three cats all tend to sleep on my bed too! They always find the warmest places in the house, even if it's burrowing their way under a blanket!

Kathryn said...

Your cat story sounds like our house, tho we only have two. But they exhibit many of the behaviors you mentioned (taking your spot & not relinquishing it, getting offended if you move, etc.)

My hubby came across a cartoon recently showing a lady on her bed with about 5 or 6 cats around. Her hubby is standing in the doorway & the caption is: "Honey, i'm cold. Can you throw another cat on the bed?"

Tam and John said...

I'm so not an animal person, and our cat hates me. But she curls up every single night right at John's shoulder. If he's not home when I go to bed, she walks all over the bed looking for him, obviously annoyed that I'm there and he's not. Then she'll lay at the foot and wait for him. I sort of think it's cute. I love your animal stories :)

Leslie said...

My boy refuses to sleep with me anymore since I raised the bed to avoid the drafts near the floor, I misses him I do.

Life Laugh Latte said...

I hope we can still be friends because....I'm super allergic to cats. I was grinning and itching at the same time just thinking about your word picture. Do you wake a million times a night as you turn over hoping not to suffocate one? Holly

wendy said...

It is a good thing indeed that you have a king sized bed. We don't have any "inside" pets at the moment. We are looking into getting an apricot colored standard poodle.
I would worry about skunks being around --aren't you afraid of getting sprayed??

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

You feed the critters pecans and vanilla wafers? Save some for me! Stay warm and cozy with your kitties!

Anonymous said...

I never let the cat in my bed, the thought of remnants from the litter box prevents that.