Oscar, the grumpy grey

I've talked about our cats here in the past, but I don't think I've ever properly introduced them to you. So, I thought I would write one post about each of our boys.

Oscar is our oldest cat. He has been with me since kittenhood, and he will turn 14 this May. He is a grouch, and I wonder sometimes if I jinxed him by calling him Oscar. His name suits him. He is the least social with the other boys too. He's my boy though. Loves to cuddle, often sleeps on my head, and purrs very loudly.

He doesn't act like an old man, even though he is getting up there. He loves to spin out on our tiled kitchen floor. He gets traction on a rug and goes spinning through the kitchen. Our downstairs neighbors must wonder what that racket is! He loves to play, most often with something simple, rather than "real" cat toys. His current favorite is a piece of strapping plastic from a Christmas box.

He HATES belly rubs. His fuzzy belly is quite enticing, so I keep trying, but he bites almost immediately. He teases us by laying on his back with his belly showing all the time! (See the photo on the left. Wouldn't you try to pet that belly?!) He misses our cat tree (which we had to leave behind when we moved.) His favorite places to hang out are in his cat cubes, or on the back of the couch. The cushion is permanently squished down from where he sleeps!

Oscar is a very smart cat, which often gets him in trouble. We have implemented no cat food out over night to prevent his brother, Henry, from gorging and vomiting. Oscar is NOT happy about this. He finds ways to wake us up through the night... His favorite thing is to get ahold of cabinet doors and bang them shut again. He has also gotten up on the counter a couple times and knocked stuff off! He's learning that it doesn't help, just gets him in trouble and actually delays breakfast in the morning!

Oscar was my cat before I met my husband. He loves Mike though. He talks to Mike a lot - telling him what he wants - usually asking for breakfast! Oscar looks forward to the sunny days here in grey Oregon. He likes to find a sunbeam and enjoy the warmth. He also likes to go outside on occasion - on a leash - and enjoy the grass. We don't take him out very often, but he loves it when we do! Our other boys don't like the leash so they don't get to go on these excursions.

--Tammy

Comments

[Laurel]

This was fun, Tammy. I feel like I know Oscar because you and I have worked together so long, but now I can really picture his personality and habits; how he fits into your life. Great pictures, too!

This is the part of living with pets that I find really interesting...how do they "fit" into your lifestyle, what purpose do they serve for folks? What habits annoy you and which ones delight? How do you define your relationship with each pet?

It's the "meat" of what we all call the human-animal bond, but it's rare that we really take time to define that for each pet.

Your blog and photos remind me to encourage everyone reading this to take pictures of your pets doing all the normal things they do each day---sleeping, eating, hanging around the door wanting to go out, etc. Too often, we have photos showing the special occasions or rare events of life, but it's the dailyness we miss down the road...

[Mike]

You neglected to mention Oscar's propensity to snore (LOUDLY) much of the time he's asleep... he sounds just like a wheezy little old man getting ready to say something.

[Nicole]

I really enjoyed reading about Oscar!

[Suzie Ridler]

Oh it is so nice to meet Oscar here! I have heard much about him and even though he is grumpy, he is quite adorable and beautiful.

[turtlecookie]

How fun to read about Oscar, Tammy. Oscar was Malcolm's favorite when we cat sat for you. ;-) Zip does that belly thing too -- entices you then nips if you oblige. Cats.

Turtlecookie

[Dana]

Thanks for helping us get to know Oscar a bit better...he's really a fine looking cat! I wanted to pick up on something Laurel said about taking photos of our pets doing everyday, routine things. She's absolutely right on the money here...what I miss most about Pfeiffer right now are the "daily" things. Our home just doesn't seem right somehow.

[Daisy the Curly Cat]

Oscar, you are one cool Mancat! And such a tease showing us that untouchable belleh!

[Tammy]

Thanks for all the comments about my boy, Oscar. He's getting a big head with all of the attention! :)

I had a lot of fun writing about him, and I hope you'll all come back next week and read about Henry!

I wanted to just say - about the photos - I take a huge number of photos of our cats. I'm very glad to have them all, and I wish I had them of cats who have died! I only have a couple photos of my Bear cat, and Zen too. I have a digital camera now which makes it so much easier. I have it with me all the time, and I use it to capture odd moments almost every day! It's a good habit to get into, whether with cats, kids, or scenery!