Feline Affection

I've mentioned this before, but Leo is such a kisser.

No, really. I mean he will lick you like a dog would.

I'll come home, scoop him up in my arms and there he goes, straight for my nose.

*lick, lick, lick*

*kiss, kiss, kiss*

"Oh yes, thank you for the nose kisses," I'll say, "I love you, too, Dude."

Recently I read that cats who lick may do so because they associate it with what feels good to them. When they were itty bitty kitties, their mothers would lick and groom them as a show of affection. In turn, cats lick us to show their affection toward us. It felt nice to them when they were babies with mom, so it must feel good to us, too. Plus, when we pet them it gives them that same sensation.

Actually, that's rather sweet, isn't it?

Just like we grow up with hugs and kisses from loved ones, our kitties grew up with kisses, too.

So, when I scoop up Leo into a big hug and smooch his head—like I was taught—he purrs and licks my nose in affection back—like he was taught.

I guess it's true; love knows no barriers.

— E & L

That Special Bond

I had a bit of a revelation today.

But first, a little history:

Growing up we were never allowed any pets. No dogs, no cats, no hamsters. My parents did have a beagle dog when my eldest brother was little, but he was extremely naughty. Ultimately, he ran away and, needless to say, my parents weren't too upset when they couldn't find him. Now, when I went to the Penny Carnival with my family when I was little, I won a goldfish. "Penny" lasted for a little while, until she decided to jump ship one day, as it were. Then I won "Silver" and "Gold" at another summer carnival. Wow, two fish! Well, Gold ate Silver (he was tinier), and then, just like her like-colored predecessor, she abandoned ship with, well, abandon. In fact, we couldn't even find her until one day she was found behind the radiator. Um, yeah...

Anyway, besides that naughty dog and my ill-fated goldfish, no pets for us. My Grandmother had a cat and dogs, and my Aunt had an English Springer Spaniel named Charlie. Also, my best friend had dogs and cats, so I was able to surround myself with animal love, without the hassle of trying to guilt-trip my parents into getting us a puppy.

Because I was able to be around animals and the people who cared for them, I have always been a little jealous of the beautiful bond that forms between them. I never really thought I would have that.

Which leads to my revelation...

I do have that bond now.

My Dude and I have bonded sooo much. He even knows my routine now, and when I get home from work there he is waiting at the door.

"Meeeewwww!" He'll screech.

"Hey, Dude!" I'll say as I scoop him up for what I have dubbed "a proper greeting." I scoop him up into my arms and give him a hug, he purrs happily and then licks my nose. It's all very sweet.

And there is rarely any fear or hesitation that I feel around him. I know I can grab his head in my hands and kiss his furry little noggin, or rub him all over, or grab his foot, and he is not going to bite me or scratch me. He trusts me, and I trust him too. Now, that doesn't mean I'm going to sit there and annoy him, because then he might, and I wouldn't blame him!

No, it's just... a friendship.

A camaraderie.

We enjoy being with each other, and we're comfortable and happy when we are.

It's not so bad having a kitty as a best friend.

Nope, not bad at all.

— E & L

Read All About It!

Remember that Cutest Cat Contest I told you about?

Leo didn't win.

No, not even a mention. We are pretty bummed out about that one, but now we know we can't rely on our Facebook friends to come through. How many cute kid/cute pet contests have I clicked on???

I digress...

Little Leo may not have won the photo contest, but it seems his place may be in the written word.

You may recall that P & C was featured in a special online newspaper not too long ago.

Well, I returned from my two-week vacation yesterday to find out that Leo was chosen to be the Pet of the Month in the local Living Magazine. How cool is that? You can see the Pet of the Month section, as well as the rest of the issue here. 

Leo and I are very happy to have been chosen. Although, when I told him, it took a little while to sink in.

"Leo! We're in a magazine that is printed and distributed throughout Texas!"

"Oh? Really? That's... ::ZzzZzz::," replied Leo.

Apparently he was a little tuckered out. In fact, both Leo and my fella were literally snoring away as I worked on my computer last night.

But, this morning Leo was so excited. He came into my room, rubbed all over me and licked my nose.

"I'm famous!"

I smiled and answered, "PAWSitively."

One of the nice ladies at the magazine is going to mail me a few copies. I can't wait to see it and physically feel it in my hands.

The news certainly made my day after a long, twenty-four hour train ride back to Texas.

And hey, since I wrote the story, does this mean I'm "published?" Ha! 

— E & L

Leo: The Foot Fetishist

You read the title right.

Leo has a foot fetish.

I have already explained how Leo is a licker in a previous post, and you can reacquaint yourself with that post here if you'd like.

It's true; he's just a licker. Leo licks arms, fingers, and — perhaps most often — feet.

Toe Licker. Yes, I staged this photo.

I'm not proud of what I've done, but there it is.

He will lick your bare feet.

He will lick your shoes.

And he will even lick your be-socked feet.

Why? I have no idea.

It is a little unsettling when you are sitting down or standing around, and all of a sudden here is this rough tongue sliding across your big toe. Even more unsettling when you have somewhat-ticklish feet!

"Leo! That tickles!" I'll exclaim. He'll look at me, but pay no mind.

Lick, lick, lick.

I suppose I should look at it as another one of his unique takes on showing affection.

Unless my feet are really always that dirty, and this is his plea for me to wash them more than once a day.

I think I'll go with the affection thing... yes, I think I like that better.

::sniff, sniff::

Yeah, they're fine...

— E & L

Ain't Worth a Lick

One of Leo's little eccentricities is that he is a licker. I have not known many cats in my life thus far, but I have only been licked by one other cat. And that was only a couple of times. Literally twice.

At first I thought it was just because