Feeling at home in our new apartment

This is our third month in our new apartment, and the kitties seem to like being here as much as I do.

The back porch affords Sabrina the opportunity to feel as if she is outside, though the slightest sound of a truck, dog, or person sends her running back inside. She doesn't hide in the closets as much, but seems to prefer relaxing on the couch that a friend gave to us.

Both kitties are appreciative of "their" new couch. Occasionally they will curl up in the recliner, which was also a gift. They like the coffee table, because they can get from one piece of furniture to the next, and the end table near the door is a favorite of Tabby's, who likes to jump on it every time he is ready to go outside. (He started doing that at my father and stepmother's house - he would jump near the television to get my attention. Bonnie would scold him, but being a cat, he would do it anyway.) I suppose I should be stricter with "my" furniture, but I was so happy that we could all relax in the living room that I didn't really think about it until it was too late, and if I were to become strict now I would feel like a scrooge. (It's December... the word seemed to fit). I had previously given my couch to my daughter, so for a time I had to use a folding chair if I wanted to watch television. In contrast, the couch and recliner seem like luxuries now... and the kitties seem to think so too.

Tabby rested on the recliner tonight after his ordeal of being stuck on the office roof. It was about 8 feet to the ground, but he seemed afraid to jump, (I think he may have arthritis, since he is 12 now) and so he was stuck in the dark for a couple of hours, getting raindrops on him when he would come over to me and then huddling in a corner until I could find help. My newest neighbor has a tall boyfriend, and she asked him to help me out. He coaxed Tabby down, who backed up for a moment, and then allowed her boyfriend to pet him. He was a bit frightened when he picked him up, and my new neighbor said, "Don't worry, buddy... I won't hurt you." Tabby was shaking a bit when he handed him to me... he clearly didn't enjoy being on the roof for so long. It doesn't surprise me that my new neighbors are friendly; everyone I've met so far has been that way. I think my apartment manager is careful about who moves in.

My next door neighbor rescued Tabby when he ran outside on a cold night, just as I was heading to a Christmas party. I warned him that he would be sorry but (being a cat) he ran away from me. I had no choice to leave him outside, because my friend was there to pick me up.
A few hours later when I came home, I saw a note placed under my doormat. I guess Tabby realized that I wasn't coming home anytime soon, and so began crying pitifully at my neighbor's door, remembering that he had allowed him into his apartment one time.

Tabby was given salmon and the use of his recliner, but did seem a little chagrined when I picked him up and carried him home, thanking my neighbor for his kindness while gently scolding my kitty ("I told you that you would get cold"). My neighbor recently went through a break up, and used to like petting Tabby on the steps on warmer days. He told me when I saw him last that he misses his dog and so enjoys Tabby's company, but I haven't decided if I should say that he can "borrow" my cat (since Tabby isn't outside as much these days), or how we would work that out if he did. I've never actually loaned out my cat before...

Tonight before he was rescued I was fretting about how I would get him down... would he catch a cold in the rain before someone could help? Its not like I could run to the store for a ladder, though I may need to invest in one if he ever tries this again. Sabrina, too, seemed worried that her brother wasn't coming in. For some reason Tabby has been very good to come in each night before it gets dark. Sabrina knows his routine, and kept meowing at me to find Tabby.

Now he is safely inside, and the kitties are curled up; Sabrina on the couch, and Tabby in the recliner. Since its time for me to go to bed, I will turn off the light in the living room. Sabrina will follow me to my bedroom, because it will be her time to snuggle with me, until I'm finished reading and I turn out the light. She will purr loudly and act as if its the most special thing in the world, to cuddle... and after that she will sleep on her own for the rest of the night. She has her routine. Tabby will occasionally join us. I know he was there the other night, when my foot must have come out of the covers and near his face, because he gently nuzzled on my toe to warn me.

Tabby is home... and so I will be able to fall fast asleep.