The Applicants

My goodness how I miss writing the Cherry Diaries already! Oh well, not use crying over spilled milk, but here is a cat story for you anyway. Word got around among the feline community that there is a vacancy for the Frobbit House Cat. There are three main applicants and several other contenders but since they do not meet the age requirement (aka too young), they will remain under observation and be invited to join training workshops along the way.

Let’s begin with Warbles, who tried so hard to be Cherry’s best friend. She is very persistent on so many levels and her incessant warbling and chatting can get on one’s nerves, both human and feline alike. She is an incredibly loyal kitty who stood by Cherry through thick and thin, and in return, Cherry kept her company during childbirth and the first two weeks after the kittens were born. For three days after Cherry passed away Warbles mourned in her own way, and still comes into the house looking for her friend. She sits sadly in the kitchen or walks around the house searching, and realises that Cherry is truly gone. She has turned out to be a good and protective mother, even adopting little Toffee who seems to have been granted emancipation by his own mother, Caramela.

Then we have Caruso, who is even noisier than Warbles. Much as he needs a loving home, a general overhaul in manners, and fine tuning in volume control, he has spent far too much time on the streets and is very distrustful of humans in general. I just got him to trust me enough to not run away when I put food out, and he even feels comfortable enough visit the kitchen now with his son, Toffee. However, there is not much grey matter between the ears. As you can see from the photo, he has a forlorn look about him that makes me want to cuddle and snuggle him to put some spark into those lovely orbs, but I think he will be permanently friend-zoned. I named him Caruso because he sings his operas when approaching the house, when he arrives, when anyone dares to cross his boundaries, and when he leaves. He has spunk and character but is cranky and unsociable. Talents include singing, guarding and siring kittens.

Last but not least is the lead contender, Sir Reddington. This gentleman has made several guest appearances in the blog already and was long admired by Cherry. He was abandoned here in the Shire about a year ago, and wore a red collar at the time, which is why I called him Reddy, and then expanded it to Reddington (inspired by The Black List). He is a handsome gentleman, has a lot to say, can be temperamental, has scratched and bitten me already in the past, all sheer self-defence, and is disliked by all and sundry around here because he is an outsider. He has all the trappings of a Chartreux, but without a proper inspection by a vet I can’t be sure. We have come a long way in our friendship, and ever since Cherry died he planted himself in the kitchen, showing his most gentle and charming side, and has yet to turn down a meal. He understands toys, simple commands (well, as far as you can command a cat, it is more of an invitation), and the greatest breakthrough over the past days, I can pet him!

What do you think?

Here are the junior applicants. One of them will be selected to be an intern in a few months… or maybe more. But let’s meet them, shall we?

Toffee – born in April 2024, son of Caruso. He takes more after his mom, Caramela, the strong silent type but follows his dad everywhere.

Next we have the triplets, the Pastries as I call them, born in May 2024.

Brioche is the smallest of them all, shy and not nearly as naughty as the other two. But she does like her food and will jump into the entire bowl if needed just to defend her portion. Don’t let the sleepy eyes fool you. She is smart as a whip.

Eclair is constantly getting stuck somewhere. He is a curious cat who will dive head first into anything, having more guts than brains sometimes. On the other hand, friendly and will be the first to follow his mother around on an adventure.

Knautsa is a troublemaker. The number of knocked over pots has tripled ever since he learned to climb and follow Toffee around. Not as people-oriented as Eclair but never far behind!