the naming of cats
For the last couple of days I have been dying to introduce you to the two new members of our family, but have been a bit inhibited by indecision over naming. The indecision continues to some extent, but here they are anyway:
The large golden boy on the right is definitely called Phoebus. When this dawned on us, we realised it was the only possible name. He is four years old, strong and beautiful…
…and loves to show his softer side too.
The female is a small, sweet, cottage loaf of a cat and so we are inclined to call her Polly (and maybe train her to put the kettle on). She is only one and a half and is full of enthusiasm for small hidey spaces and for chasing balls of paper round the hall. In the latter case, her delight rather exceeds her skill level at the moment, which is very entertaining for the people. Polly is less inclined than Phoebus to show off for the camera,
but I was delighted to see that on her very first day she settled in to the loom room like an old weaver cat.
And just to prove this blog does occasionally have weaving content, here is my new warp which is in place ready for beaming — although I am a bit apprehensive about the ‘help’ I am going to get from my new assistants.
“the naming of cats” was posted by Cally on 11 July 2009 at http://callybooker.wordpress.com
Cally, they look lovely. Did they come from the same home or are they new to one and other? I’m sure you’ll have great cat fun once again in your house
with these 2 new assistants.
They are gorgeous aren’t they? I should have mentioned that they are from the same household but not related. They had only been at the shelter a few days which is probably helping them to settle in here more easily. They are certainly much bolder than Clio and Nala were!
The naming of cats is a difficult matter…
You might enjoy the poem written about cat naming by T.S. Eliot.
Here’s the link: http://www.msjellicle.com/cats/poems.html
And they are lovely cats with wonderful names.
Theresa
Congratulation Cally, they are both beautiful!
I agree with Theresa, it is a difficult matter to name a cat. Their name has to suit their personality. I do like old fashioned “human” names the best but I did have one Chaos. He was aptly named.
Yes, I love that poem! And it gives me confidence that whatever we call them we are not tampering with their deep and inscrutable cat names. Of course these two did come with names, but they were what I think of as ‘larder names’ i.e. food words rather than actual names. We both prefer human or divine names for cats – especially the latter since they wear them with such aplomb. But really anything you can call in a high-pitched voice in the garden without sounding thoroughly peculiar.
Thanks for introducing us to your new friends. I think they must know that they’ve fallen on their feet this time!
You beat me to the pet naming punch. Oh what sweet catlings, and beautifully paired! Polly’s (if Polly she remains) markings remind me of a certain kind of nougat candy, with suspended jelly blobs of color, that I can’t remember the name of. I love it when they curl up and tuck everything in. I call it making a kitty muffin. Congratulations!
Cute cats!! They look so cuddly. (But I’m a dog person, so I can’t be sure!)
Enjoy!
Sue
Congratulations! These look like very nice cats, and well choosen names.
Our two turned out to prefer cat toys to weaving (phew!) I suggest you keep a stock of those crumple paper balls near your loom in case a distraction is needed.
What beautiful cats. They look like they’ve fallen on their feet by coming to live with you. My two little fur babies are called Carlsberg and Toffee.
Meow Meow !
Lovely cats! It’s funny how sometimes they tell you their names immediately, and sometimes it takes longer. One of our cats has many nicknames because the name we chose originally never really fit.
They’re wonderful! Great shots. It took us awhile to name Rascal and Catzee too. Not sure why, but the names just have to be right!
Oh they are precious… but then so are mine! The names seem to suit them, and they will be a great deal of help to you I am sure! Mine are especially good at providing a little extra tension on selected warp threads, usually directly under their bums when they lay on the warp behind the castle!
congrats on the new kitties! Warp looks beautiful.