Sleeping cats on a hot afternoon
Herschel snores very loudly
There was a young lady of Niger
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger;
They returned from the ride
With the lady inside,
And the smile on the face of the tiger.
William Cosmo Monkhouse (1840-1901)
Our cats are limp with heat, stretching full length on cool surfaces, dreaming and twitching in their sleep.
A butterfly fluttered into the sitting room on Saturday morning. It flew aimlessly round the room, failing to find the patio door by which it had entered. Eventually, it flew too close to the floor, where Jellicoe was sitting. He promptly captured it. There was nothing left to identify, so it can only be assumed that it made a small snack for an alert cat.
Beautiful cats. I think cats are on alert even when they sleep.
ReplyDeleteIn the wild their lives depend on it.
DeleteThere is something relaxing for humans to see a relaxing cat.
ReplyDeleteCats just abandon themselves completely. Humans, once grown, rarely do.
DeleteI do love seeing perfectly relaxed sleeping cats, it's calming somehow.
ReplyDeleteAll seems well with the world when the cat sleeps soundly.
DeleteSleepy cats make for sleepy crows. I do love them so.
ReplyDeleteI love watching them as they dream.
DeleteOur two cats live in our air-conditioned house and are, I think, completely unaware that the temperature is in the 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, although actually they would probably enjoy it if they could experience it.
ReplyDeleteOurs stay indoors when it's hot and enjoy going out in the cooler evening air.
DeleteLovely kitty. Just wondering if their toe beans are swollen on a couple of those pads on the front paw. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI've had a look and I think they're fine. Thank you, anyway.
DeleteHershel is so beautiful Janice - I always look at their paws too & could take many photos of them. I hope you get some cooler temps soon. xx
ReplyDeleteCats are such delicate, elegant creatures, but quick and accurate hunters.
DeleteFeline perfection
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteHerschel must be very soundly asleep to not be aware of you taking photos. The limerick is cute, although not for the lady from Niger.
ReplyDeleteHe was drunk with the heat.
DeleteThey seem to have found a way to cope with the heat!
ReplyDeleteThey just give in . . .
DeleteFeline wit and instinct are beautifully woven together in this charming post.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHilaire Belloc's 'The Lion and Jim' comes to mind, a childhood memory. I am really a dog person, but always had cats around but never as elegant as your two.
ReplyDeleteI like Stanley Holloway reciting that. Actually, I like all his monologues.
DeleteThey look so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteForgot to click my name. it's Addy
DeleteIt must be nice to be able to relax completely bonelessly like a cat.
DeleteIt is funny how even a very small insect can wake up at sound sleeping cat.
ReplyDeleteThey're always aware even when they're sleeping.
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ReplyDeleteRosie has her basket with a round (fake) fur in it. She sleeps in it despite
25° only when it becomes more then she changes to a camping bed and suddenly measures 2m ! Normally she is a very small cat. Also now during her 19 1/2 years she sleeps so deeply and then suddenly makes little meauws and the continues to sleep ! Most of the residents have never traveled and don't know how to use an A/C. When it's turned on they open the windows ! I think I have to teach them how it works, lol !
I bought a couple of cooling mats for the dogs. The cats use them!
DeleteI suppose it's instinctive to open the doors and windows when you're not used to air conditioning.
Cute photos! Your poem is funny but rather grim too!
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit grim, I suppose. Black humour!
DeleteLove the pictures of the paws. Too bad about the butterfly but such is the circle of life.
ReplyDeleteButterflies don't live very long anyway, so it seemed rather hard . . .
DeleteI love the faces of sleeping cats!
ReplyDeleteI love their smiles.
DeleteBeautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy Sunday.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. I hope your day is a good one.
Deletecats know not to get too tired when it's so hot, they should rest and wait for more pleasant weather for various activities.
ReplyDeleteWise animals!
DeleteThe best way to relax is to watch a sleeping cat. Particularly if it's on top of yoiu.
ReplyDeleteIt is, and of course, it's very bad manners to move a cat that's sleeping on you.
DeleteThe Tiger poem has always made me grin (grimly, but still...). Seems to me Jellicoe must have heard it and applied it to a butterfly. Lesson learned: keep your distance!
ReplyDeletePoor butterfly didn't really stand a chance!
DeleteI've noticed that cats curl up to sleep in the cold weather but stretch out when it's hot.
ReplyDeleteClever creatures, cats. 😄🐈⬛🐈
DeleteCats are perfect. Unfortunately they are also perfect killers.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Perfect killing machines. 🤨🐈🐈⬛
DeleteAll the cats I've owned still own a piece of my heart.
ReplyDeleteI remember all the cats of my life, too, and there have been very many, all special.
ReplyDeleteVery cute cat pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you. 😊
ReplyDeleteYour cats may inspire me to take a nap.
ReplyDeleteA restorative cat nap is always a good idea.
DeleteHerschel has Purrfect paws... ugh, on swallowing a moth.. Jellico has quick paws for sure
ReplyDeleteHis nickname is The Assassin!
DeleteAdorable! Right now I feel as they do but my tasty snack was broccoli, ha!
ReplyDeleteWish it was chocolate ;)
DeleteBroccoli is healthy, but chocolate is sooo nice. It melts too quickly, though.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice - it's been unbearably hot, even down here ... animals really suffer in this weather - yours look totally at ease ... my tasty snacks are still my cold soups ... I'm off to see your roof ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletePS - loved the Tiger verse ... brilliant!
DeleteWe always think it will be cooler on the coast, but I don't think that has applied this year.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of Herschel and Jellicoe. I'm feeling a little limp with the heat too, so a cat nap sounds just perfect.
ReplyDeleteIt's just the right pick-me-up so long as it's not too deep a sleep!
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