This sounds a lot like my Nipo! My father and Nipo have become inseparable these past 2 years and in that time Nipo has also become a little less "paranoid" and a little friendlier. Now, she isn't a lap cat and probably never will be - BUT she will demand petting whenever she fancies a scritchie. ;) Usually she makes these demands while waiting for my father by his La-Z-Boy and will assume the role of "guard cat" after he settles into his chair. Nipo is about 11 years old now (based on the shelter's approximation of 6 months at the time we adopted her) and has been with our family since I was just 11 years old.Quote:
Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
When she became old she became a snuggly lap cat...only with my parents but particularly with my father. She would stand by his chair and yell until he sat down in it. She would then jump on his lap and sit there happily for hours.
She is definitely not the "jumper" she used to be. In her younger days she would launch herself into the air to try to reach the bird cages (RB Sunny budgie & RB Hans zebra finch) even though they were hung from the high ceiling so as to be far out of her reach. She also used to have a very tall scratching post (“her tower”) with 4 different perching levels. It stood about 4-4.5 feet tall. She could land right on the top of that thing in just one leap (especially if RB Jack (border collie) was chasing her)! However, by the time she was about 9.5 we noticed she had less desire to climb to her favorite high perch. The tower was looking a bit ragged by then so we traded it in for a shorter version, which she enjoys to this day. Nipo has also been much better about her “scratching habits” in her old age and only ever uses her own posts. However, in her “nawtee” youth she scratched the heck out of the back of a couch and scratched THROUGH a wood door! :o Her natwteeness is easily overlooked though, she’s just so sweet. :)
In my opinion, she doesn’t look a day over two years! The only thing hinting at her age would be her growing “hangy pouch of cuteness” which she’s had since her spay. I’m referring to that bit of loose skin that hangs adorably from some female (and male?) feline’s bellies. Do we have a name for that on PT? Anyway, she has gotten *slightly* wider over the years and so I have *tried* to keep her active and exercising. But she is usually NOT INTERESTED! There is no toy or string or laser light that will get her to move it! But I still try on occasion. She’s not overly sedentary though – she is well known for hysterical Random Cat Outbursts (RCOs) and my parents claim she has recently done full 360 degree FLIPS in the AIR during a few of these episodes. :eek: I’ve never seen it, so I’m not a believer - yet. ;)
I hope she is with me for many, many years to come!!! :) I love my Nipo-potamus! :D :D :D
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Mimi, Tucker, Max, Speckles, Ginger, Louis, Krissy, Tubby, Peanut, Twicket, Annie, Sash, Storm and Jessica! Thanks for sharing these stories about your wonderful and *special* senior kitties! :D
