My Napmaster: Oliver has been in my life since he showed up as a terrified kitten on my front porch in the summer of 2011. He's been a wonderful companion, agreeable and well-mannered...

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Oliver has been in my life since he showed up as a terrified kitten on my front porch in the summer of 2011. He's been a wonderful companion, agreeable and well-mannered, quietly affectionate. Last month he became very ill and I believe he was on the verge of crossing over, but he stayed for now. He's more tired than he was before and has a life-weary look at times, but he's more like his old self and can definitely give my roommate's cat, Leaf--some of you remember Leaf--a taste of her own bratty medicine.

Here are some photos of Oliver doing the things he does best, mostly striking cute poses on the way to or from Dreamland. The first three show him as a youngster and the rest are recent photos. The last one was taken this afternoon and was the reason for this post. I hope you enjoy them even if you're not a big cat fan.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Very pretty cat. His eyes are really green in the first 3 but are missing in the rest. Was he sleeping when you took these?

JimmyTB

Nice pics of Oliver. I was never a cat person until I got married and my step-daughter brought home a cat. The cat adopted me and pretty much ignored everyone else. That was many years and many cats ago.
My parents inherited a cat when there neighbors packed up and left it behind. My mother named it Oliver. apparently a literary reference. His full name was Oliver Underfoot. Is that where your Oliver got his name?

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

NMGal wrote:

Very pretty cat. His eyes are really green in the first 3 but are missing in the rest. Was he sleeping when you took these?

Yes. His eyes are still very green and he gazes lovingly at me often, but sleep is his main hobby now. I will tell him you admire him.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I am sorry to see that you do not like your cat (LOL). Fun set!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

UTMike wrote:

I am sorry to see that you do not like your cat (LOL). Fun set!

We tolerate each other is all.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Good looking kitty SWFeral. Our oldest is about 17 now.

Don

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

My first thought was to think, uh huh, but where's Leaf in all this? Despite the fact (that as I read, I came to realize) that your post is about this 'Oliver' creature (a.k.a., this 'Napmaster' of which you've now introduced to us), a cattage of which I don't believe you've previously introduced.

No matter. Oliver nappingly rules. Oh, maybe Oliver doesn't rule over Leaf, or you, or even your household, but even in nap, Oliver obviously rules.

All cats do.

But you already knew that, didn't you.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

PAR4DCR wrote:

Good looking kitty SWFeral. Our oldest is about 17 now.

Don

I'm hoping Oliver will be around for several more years, as long as he's enjoying his life. He sure gave me a scare!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Cany143 wrote:

My first thought was to think, i uh huh, but wher... (show quote)

Here's Leaf; you needn't worry. As you can see she's a bit of a napping expert herself. In terms of pecking order, she comes slightly above Oliver and they both rule over my roommate's dog Miguel, who gets slapped on a regular basis to remind him of his station. But basically they all get along.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

JimmyTB wrote:

Nice pics of Oliver. I was never a cat person until I got married and my step-daughter brought home a cat. The cat adopted me and pretty much ignored everyone else. That was many years and many cats ago.
My parents inherited a cat when there neighbors packed up and left it behind. My mother named it Oliver. apparently a literary reference. His full name was Oliver Underfoot. Is that where your Oliver got his name?

No, I wanted to name him Colin, no real reason, but my roomie said Oliver. A lot of people don't really engage with cats and then they think they're snooty. Well, why put out the effort when you're ignored? I find that cats have unique personalities, but it's a subtle business, not like dogs who hand you their resumes.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

yssirk123 wrote:

I'm glad you like Oliver.

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

Interesting look at Oliver. I suspect that your concern about liveliness may not be an issue. Wait til you are, in human years what he is in cat years, and you will understand his look. You commented on the hierarchy between Oliver and Leaf. Did you include yourself in that assessment? Dogs have masters, cats have staff.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Reuss Griffiths wrote:

Interesting look at Oliver. I suspect that your concern about liveliness may not be an issue. Wait til you are, in human years what he is in cat years, and you will understand his look. You commented on the hierarchy between Oliver and Leaf. Did you include yourself in that assessment? Dogs have masters, cats have staff.

I think I may have outpaced Oliver in the aging department. I hope you're right about his liveliness. He does have some health issues and last month things became seriously out of balance. But he turned around and fortunately he is now also receiving a fairly new drug for cats that eases arthritis pain, so he really is feeling better on two fronts. I can see that his illness took its toll, however, which is why I wanted to give him his own post before he's a memory.

I am somewhat separate from the hierarchy because I am not always here, but I am definitely a high-ranker. Leaf sometimes tries out her haughtiness with me, staring at me with a gaze that exactly mimics a very displeased Great horned owl, but she is a little diva who enjoys her fluctuating moods and their effect, and soon she is loving and sweet again. Poor Miguel barely has a toehold in the hierarchy.