Juniors' Buddy

Nightly, when I get home from work, I’m greeted at the door by a friendly face with two large, bright, golden-greenish eyes, white whiskers, and what appears to be a smiling face. It’s my buddy, Tony Junior (Jr.), our Tabby.

Early evening is when Junior with long, lanky stretches - wakes up from his daily snooze. Both Junior and his sister Missy spend their days, lounging around the house, sleeping. They are decidedly indoor cats. Over the years, we’ve lost too many cats to varmints that roam the open space behind our house. Jr. and Missy were four months old when we adopted them from the shelter. Thank goodness they are content to roam the house and sit in the window sills to watch the world pass by.

Don’t be fooled, now, four years old, as much as I would like to think I’m Jr’s buddy, he is persnickety. With a rather demanding - meow, he runs to his chair, (my recliner) in the TV room, leaps to the back, turns to look at me as if to say, "About time you got home, come sit down and make me a lap, I want to stretch out." So, he lounges, purring happily for about 15 minutes or so then the garage door opens again and Lori makes her way to her chair. Immediately, he’s up, leaps to the footstool in front of Lori’s chair, assumes his most regal pose, and longingly stares directly at her. "Ok, with a tilt of his head, as if to say, you’ve been home at least three minutes where’s my supper?"

So, who’s Juniors buddy now? Well, for the moment its Lori, his attention is now on supper. “Where’s Missy,” Lori says as she makes her way to the kitchen? She rattles their food dish and in a flash Missy comes barreling down the stairs, knowing supper is on the way. Immediately, Missy starts her insistent, loud, repeated meowing. She’s the quite one, not a peep out of her until she’s certain supper is being served. Jr., on the other hand, stealthily makes his way under the cutting table then peeks out as Lori prepares tonight’s delectable dish. Finally, they both settle in and daintily eat from the others dish, it's a double-check, who's getting the best grub?

Now, well fed, it’s time for his evening diversion. Jr. leaps to the window sill overlooking the back patio. Missy on the other hand makes her way to the garage. There’s still plenty of summer daylight left and Juniors buddy - our resident hummingbird - entertains him by swooping in-and-out from his feeder. What’s amazing is Jr. sits calmly with no intention of trying to get out the window, he is content to sit and watch his buddy flitter around outside.

Indeed, it’s not hard to see Junior’s buddy is whomever has his attention at that moment. After about an hour watching the hummingbird, it’s Missy, they're cuddled up together on the sofa cleaning each others face and ears. Life's simple pleasures.

Ah, Summer!

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