Slumberland

In early Spring 1996, Jason and I adopted a tiny cat named Tiger whose owners could no longer care for her. They told us she was 10 years old. She was a “stumpy” Manx cat who would follow us around like a puppy dog, demanding attention and cuddles at all times.

Since we didn’t know her actual birthday, we’ve considered New Year’s Day her birthday. (Yes, I know, I’m posting this one day late. I’m sure she won’t mind.) So this year, Tiger has reached the advanced age of 20!

Manx cats supposedly stay kittenish for a long time, and live to a ripe old age, so it’s not unusual for a cat like Tiger to live to 20 and older. She’s an indoor-only cat, so she isn’t exposed to much danger (despite the best efforts of our other, younger, cat Maggie), and we spoil her like crazy. Now that she is older, she spends a lot more time sleeping, and she is having more trouble with her co-ordination (when she tries to jump from the coffee table to the couch… sometimes she misses). But she still likes to play sometimes and will run around the house when she’s in the mood for it.

In this picture Tiger has found one of her favorite sleeping spots: a basket of nice warm folded laundry.

We also don’t know Maggie’s birthday, since she was adopted from the animal shelter. She is 9 years old.