Patience is not now, nor has it ever been, one of Tabs’ virtues. Now that he’s a senior tabby, when he wants to go outside he practically kitty hugs my legs and “tug boats” me all the way to the door.
It usually starts with him staring at me like this for a while…
Then he’ll stand in front of the sliding glass door to the deck or the front door (sometimes carrying his cat harness in his mouth!) and meow.
And meow.
And meow.
Until I eventually take him outside.
I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but lately it seems like he’s been more reflective and thoughtful…
I wonder what he’d write about if he really worked on his memoirs. I bet he’d write a lot about our old apartment in Mill Valley. That’s when he was an outdoor tabby and spent adventurous nights outside.
I remember so many things from that time, like the night of the big storm… It was pouring rain and the wind was gusting. The news said it was hurricane-caliber.
This was when we knew Tabs from the neighborhood, but he wasn’t officially our cat yet. He would come over sometimes and hang out, and I’d give him chin scritches and tuna, but then he’d meow to go back outside.
On the night of that bad storm, the power went out, and El Hub and I were in our apartment worrying.
The storm just kept getting worse. We tried to go to bed, but the windows were shaking from the wind, and it was too scary and noisy. At one point, El Hub said, “I’m gonna go look for Tabs!” And he jumped up and went outside in the storm.
“Tabs!” I heard him calling over and over. “Tabs! Tabs!” as he walked around the apartment building with a flashlight in the rain.
And then he heard a scared meow.
Tabs had crawled into a tree stump on the side of the building, but he was still soaked, cold and meowing. El Hub said that Tabs’ eyes lit up when he saw him, and he hopped out of the trunk and ran with him all the way to our front door.
That’s just one of many stories from that time. I bet Tabs would spend a lot of pages talking about those days in his memoirs…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,
Karen and Tabs
Oh god, I’m tearing up. El Hubs is so sweet. Thank you for taking care of Tabs.
Tearing up this was such a beautiful story!
What a nice memory! I’m sure he was so grateful for you to provide shelter during that scary storm. When did he decide that your house would be his?
LOVED this, ty for sharing!
That’s such a sweet story!
Aww how sweet. I’m sure Tabs is thankful everyday that you took him in.
I don’t consider myself a cat person but Tabs exudes a personality that is instantly endearing. And that face. I totally see the introspection and pensive expression, too. Good on El Hubs for rescuing Tabs and welcoming him to the indoor family life.
I’m just so glad you took him in, and made him my nephew. <3
Yeah, I can tell. Tabs is thinking. I can see it in his gaze. He’s thinking about some deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep kitty stuff.Such a sweet story, Karen.
OMG! That face! The photo of him starring at you when he wants to go out just got to me. Give him a couple of pats and belly rubs (if he likes them) and a great big hug from me.
Ha, ha, is that a Uniball Signo pen on the notebook? Those are seriously my favorite pens. Dear Husband thinks they’re less expensive in Japan, so every time he goes for business he brings back a slew of them for me.
Also love the notebook cover. Is that from ConnorClaire.com?
Definitely giving him a hug for you. He’s been very sweet and needy ever since we got back from Tahoe.
And yes, that pen is a Uniball! It’s so great. I love how smooth it is and how the ink dries fast.
The notebook is one I got ages ago, I wish I could remember where!
Does he ever get mad when you go away? Nora kitty gets so mad she hisses at us when we return. Then she snubs me for about half a day. I think after a while she realizes she really wants company and she’ll come over and snuggle close by purring. But that first half day where she lets me know how upset she is that we went away just kills me.
Mad? Surprisngly no. He loves his pet sitter and all the attention he gets, but I think he believes that all is lost until his regular crew comes home, and he’s so relieved (and extra lovie dovie) when we return. Silly kitty!
Is Nora doing better?
Aww! That’s so sweet. Tabs is such a good kitty.
Thanks for asking. Nora is starting to get better. I only have to give her one thyroid pill a day and one B12 shot every week.
What a cute story! Tabs hit the jackpot when he found you guys!! Our cat was a stray when we got him 11 years ago. He’s a inside/outside kitty. Mainly because every night he stands by the door and meows until we can’t take it anymore,lol. We give him Temptation treats when he comes back.Since he’s older now he doesn’t roam much. He just sits in the backyard and stares at us through the window so we’ll let him in for treats,lol. My daughter says he’s “farming” for treats. He has had a few scraps with some of the neighborhood cats. Cat bites require antibiotics and a big vet bill! And our cat is the aggressor.They can tell because his bites are on the head and not the rump (signs of running away or retreat ).
How interesting! I think when Tabs was outdoors he was very much like your kitty. He’d come home with scrapes and scratches on his head, and one day a chip in his ear appeared. El Hub told me that back in the day he saw Tabs starting fights with other cats but I never quite believed him because he’s so sweet with us.
What are those brown spots on Tab´s eyes? My cat has one and I don´t know if it is a bad thing or what. I had rescued a lot of street cats, you would never feel alone with the visits of those little furry angels. Greetings.