If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be writing about the adventures of a 2 year old cat, I probably would have laughed. After all, we’ve always rescued senior cats who were perfectly content to nap in sunbeams and not be any trouble.
Quote of the day: “Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.” Saint Augustine
Then Maverick came into our lives.
For the past six months, we’ve been learning what it’s like to live with a young cat, and let’s just say that “entertaining” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about our pets. From how to travel with cats to comparing dog foods, it’s been a fun theme. If you want more, I’ll list them below:
–Trending pet products
–Best senior cat products
–Life journey with pets (this is a sad one)
–Our mean cat
I hope you join my email Family. It’s the place where I share things even before creating on my blog. It’s also my space for fun and positive content. In addition, you also get my free eBook when you sign up, but that’s not the best part.
The best part is being part of my community, where we inspire and lift each other up.
One thing we’ve quickly realized is that a 2 year old cat has a very different energy level from the senior cats we’ve known over the years.
We describe Maverick as an athlete. If you’ve seen him jump after the grasshopper in the house or even with his play mouse, you’d know what I mean.
Heck, when he’s running around the house, he banks off the reading chair and knocks it over.
We were used to senior kitties that needed stairs to get up on the bed, but with his bundle of energy, he jumps like he has a pogo stick attached to his legs.
One of our biggest hopes when we brought Maverick home was that he would get along with Piper.
Piper has a calm demeanor around us, and he was gentle with our Monkey girl. However, Piper liked to chase Spookie a bit only because Spookie didn’t like Piper and would run from her.
Annabelle wanted to be Piper’s friend in the worst way, but Piper basically ignored her.
But Maverick and Piper…they are play buddies.
It’s usually Maverick who instigates the roughhousing, but Piper is happy to oblige.
We weren’t sure if what they were doing was play or fighting, but I’ve videoed it and shared it in my stories, and everyone agrees, they are playing.
The signs are there: Maverick is showing his belly, Piper is biting but not using her teeth, and Maverick slaps at Piper but without using his claws.
Occasionally, there is a hiss from Maverick when he’s had enough. That’s when he likes to go out into the garage and have his “me time.”
What we really Love is how both animals love hanging out with us. Especially at couch time, there are usually 2 black animals lying in the same room with us.
Neither of them is a snuggler… yet. I’m still holding out hope.
We didn’t need a cat tree with our senior kitties because they lounged in their beds on the floor. But Annabelle seemed to like climbing, so we purchased one from Amazon.
Did she like it? Of course not. But we didn’t get rid of it.
For our 2 year old cat, Maverick, the cat tree was love at first sight. He even played in the little house attached and batted around the ball hanging from it.
Of course, the fact that he could lounge on the top and watch all of the birdies in the backyard didn’t hurt.
But when we went out on the patio, he couldn’t see us.
So we purchased another one for the other end of the kitchen.
The story continues that he just wanted to join us outside on the patio. It is one of our favorite places to eat when the weather is fabulous.
So we tried using a harness and leash on Maverick, and he tolerated it. But he also liked rolling in the dirt when I walked him around the yard.
Which brought up the idea of a cat playpen. I can’t believe we are some of those people who bought our cat a playpen.
But, in our defense, Maverick absolutely loves it.
Even inside the house, he will use it as his safe spot when playing tag with Piper.
And when we are eating breakfast on the patio, he hangs out inside the playpen watching all of the wildlife.
Heck, at times, he’s launched himself at a bird that is near and moves the playpen at least 10 feet.
For a curious 2 year old cat, the playpen has opened up an entirely new world of sights, sounds, and smells.
Living with Maverick has taught us that young cats are equal parts adorable and mischievous.
The reason you see him in the sink in the photo above is that he finagled under the rolling screen door and was out rolling in the dirt. SERIOUSLY.
He can be stretched out, looking completely innocent one minute and investigating something he shouldn’t be the next.
He finds creative places and ways to sit. He somehow manages to be both graceful and awkward at the same time.
Every day seems to bring a new surprise.
Perhaps the biggest lesson has been embracing the unexpected.
As much as we adore our older pets, there’s something special about the energy and enthusiasm that a 2 year old cat brings to a home.
Maverick reminds us to stay curious. And maybe that play is an important part of everyday.
What I didn’t share at first is the interesting circumstances of how this 2 year old cat ended up in our household:
My Seattle friend posted on her Facebook page to her Arizona friends that she knew someone with a cat to be rehomed. This woman traps feral cats and has them neutered, but realized this black cat was NOT feral because he meowed.
Insider fact: Feral cats do not meow much. It’s a trait learned to communicate with humans, or so we have been told.
Since this black cat wasn’t feral, the woman tried to keep him, but she had 4 other female cats that wouldn’t put up with him. Thus, I saw my Seattle friend’s Facebook post and reached out to her.
And that is how Mario (now named Maverick) ended up in the Filogomo household.
Let me say that Maverick is VERY vocal, especially at 3 or 4 am. It’s not ideal, but every time he meows, we remember that because of that, he wasn’t put back out in the wild.
Six months into this adventure, we can honestly say that Maverick has brought more laughter, Entertainment, and love into our home than we ever imagined.
I think we have adjusted to his youthful energy quite well, although I wouldn’t mind if he learned to Sleep in a bit longer.
Owning a 2 year old cat has been a brand-new experience for us, filled with plenty of surprises along the way. While we may still be learning as we go, one thing is certain: Maverick has completely stolen our hearts.
And judging by his latest antics, I have a feeling there will be more future stories to share.
All of this was shared due to our Where Blogger’s Live group prompt about animals who rule our hearts.
Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and hear all about the personal backstories and interesting details? The best part of this group is that I learn something new from everyone’s different perspectives.
And I bet the others will give a great insight into the things they like about themselves.
FYI, we don’t all post at the same time since we all have different schedules and live in different parts of the world.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Sally at Within a World of My Own
Jodie Filogomo is a retired cosmetic dentist and fashion blogger behind Jodie’s Touch of Style, where she has been helping women over 50 experiment with style in fun, creative ways for over 12 years.
Find out more about the crew, because we love to showcase all ages, body shapes, and women who love different styles.
The post The Joy (and Mischief) of a 2 Year Old Cat appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
