Yeah…Jacoby’s fun to have around…
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Tag Archives: helping
Aby-a-Day – April 5: Out with the old and in with the new
Last week we went to Petco to pick up our usual necessities, canned and dry cat food for the girls and kitty litter (including a great big bag of that new Blue Walnut Litter that I can’t wait to try!) and while we were there, I decided it was time to replace the beloved bedroom scratchers. We have many different scratching options in our apartment, both horizontal and vertical, with a variety of surfaces from carpet to sisal to cardboard. But one of the most favoured scratching toy is the Petlinks Dream Curl, or, as it’s mostly referred to, the S-Curve. The one we had (our second) was getting really raggedy, so I thought it was due to be replaced.
I found a nice Wedgwood blue-toned one, which matches the colours in the bedroom nicely. We barely had time to bring it in and set it down before Jacoby came over to christen it!
Tessie helped, of course. Actually, everyone managed to get a scratch in before we’d gotten it into the bedroom.
Scratch, scratch, scratch…
Jake really puts his back into it!
Jake also helped me take the old S-curve (and the old simple scratching post, which was also replaced with a new Scratcher’s Delight Refillable Cardboard Scratching Post) out to the garbage room.
We actually found that little upright post in the trash room over a year ago! It was practically brand-new at the time and our cats loved it. So far, they haven’t embraced the new post the way they have the new S-curve. But I’m sure they will…it’s only been a week.
Jake seems a little sad at saying goodbye to his old S-curve…
Farewell, clawed and tattered friend.
Aby-a-Day – February 4: “As you make your bed, so you must lie in it.”
One of Jacoby’s favourite things to do is help make the bed after we wash the bedding.
He comes running as soon as he hears the sheets come out of the dryer.
And, typical Aby that he is, he has to be right in the middle of the action.
Which, of course, means that it takes a little longer to make the bed.
But, his “help” makes a boring, routine chore a lot more fun, too.
And you know that we just couldn’t make the bed properly without his supervision.
“Okay, what’s next, Mom?”
Aby-a-Day – January 9: Looking over my shoulder (Hipstamatic Monday)
One of Jacoby’s favourite places is the back of the sofa, behind me.
I can see why he likes it. It’s close to me, and he can see both the television and the kitchen from that vantage.
And he can easily come and “help” me whenever he feels like it.
“You’re not paying attention to me.”
“I said…”
“Pay attention to me!”
Aby-a-Day – January 8: Such a helpful, helpful cat!
Jacoby is always at my side, “helping” me.
I open the closet to put something away, turn mu back for a moment, and…
Theeeerrrrre’s Jakey!
There are times when this “helpfulness” of his backfires. The other day, I nipped into the closet for a quick second, just to get a pair of socks. The door was open for maybe 30 seconds, tops. About an hour later, it occurs to me that I haven’t seen Jake for a while…and when I went to look for him, I heard thump coming from the closet, opened the door…and Jake came strolling nonchalantly out!
At least he doesn’t get too fussed when he gets shut up in a closet…or a cabinet…or a cupboard…I guess he understands the hazards of being helpful.
Aby-a-Day – December 25: It’s Christmas All Over the Place!
Sometimes I think Christmas was made for Abyssinians.
I mean, think about it: Christmas is all about helping, and helping is what Abys do best!
Helping open presents…
…helping make sure the boxes are all really empty once they’re open…
…helping keep track of who gave what…
…helping make sure scratching posts are put up properly…
…helping try out new cat toys…
…and just helping celebrate the holiday!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Aby-a-Day – December 10: Helping? Or critiquing?
Jacoby is such a big help with Christmas. Whether I’m wrapping gifts, putting up decorations, or signing the cards, he’s right there, offering his assistance. And by “offering,” I mean “impose.”
“Really, Mom? Are you SURE you want to hang the lights like that?”
“Well…okay. Ultimately, it’s all your decision. I’m just saying…cats could probably get at these if they wanted to. But it’s your thing.”
“Pretty sure cats are gonna play with these things here, too. You don’t have any fragile Christmas stuff up here, do you?”
Oh, Jakey, what would I do without you?
Aby-a-Day – November 27: Such a helpful Christmas elf!
Today was spent putting up our beloved LED fibre-optic white Xmas tree and the other holiday decorations.
I had such a great helper, too.
From the moment I unzipped the tree bag, Jacoby was right there inspecting everything to make sure it was all in good working order.
Then he needed to check out the ambiance underneath the tree.
And then…he got into some serious fake pine needle chewing. I don’t understand the attaction, and none one else does it, but he loves biting the tree.
Check out the Grand Premier! If I ever need to blackmail Jake, I think I’m set.
“Okay, that was awesome…what else do you have?”
Aby-a-Day – November 23: Wordless Wednesday (Jacoby’s hungry!)
Aby-a-Day – October 20: What makes you so special?
Like most households, cats are not allowed on the counters in our apartment.
While most of the cats know this rule and abide by it, for some reason Jacoby seems to think that the rule doesn’t apply to him.
I am not sure why he thinks this.
We tell him, “No, Jake!” and “Get down, Jake!” but he doesn’t listen.
Actually, I take that back. Jake does listen. We tell him, “Get off the counter, Jake!” and he does get off the counter.
Technically.
Because sitting on the rice cooker is not, technically, sitting on the counter. It’s sitting on the rice cooker.
And Jake can’t see the meat from the floor, so he’s perfectly willing to push that technicality for a better view.
Aby-a-Day – May 22: You’ll never walk – or do anything else – alone. EVER.
Living with an Abyssinian means never having to be in the bathroom alone.
I always have an eager companion “helping” me.
And the best part is, it doesn’t seem to really matter whether or not I actually need any help!
Aby-a-Day – February 14: My funny Valentines
Angel wishes you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Of course, it’s hard for anyone to do anything around here without Jacoby and Tessie “helping” them…
So…Happy Valentine’s Day from everyone (except, apparently, Miss Kylie, who didn’t wish to play with the sparkly heart-shaped kitty toys)!
Baby, it’s cold outside
It was -2º this morning in Boston (yes, you read that correctly. MINUS. TWO. FAHRENHEIT. Colder than the Arctic Circle. Seriously).
I was woken up in the middle of the night by a warm, soft weight on my neck. Jacoby was wrapped around my neck like an Abyssinian fur stole. I’m not sure if it was to keep himself warm, or if he was trying to keep me warm…
He weighs 11.3lbs now…while I appreciate his concern, he was kind of heavy lying there across my trachea.
Aby-a-Day – January 17: You’ll never be lonely
One really great thing about Abys is that they are so interested in what you do. It’s kind of gratifying to be so fascinating to someone. Add in a member of the “kitty velcro” breed, and you can pretty much guarantee you’ll never have to anything alone. Ever.
Last week, my back was acting up, so I took a good long soak in a tub of hot water and epsom salts.
While Tessie was content to just monitor me, Jacoby of course needed to have a closer look.
“Just what is going on here?”
“Really? Water?”
“I’m not going in there!”
“Hey! Watch the splashing!”
“I think I’m safer behind the shower curtain.”
“If you start getting any ideas, I’ll just duck for cover.”
“What made you think this was a good idea, mom?”
Aby-a-Day – January 11: Mother’s Little Helper
Opening cabinets at our house is always interesting.
If we leave a cupboard door open and unattended, we’re in trouble.
Once Jacoby gets in there, he hunkers down and it’s nearly impossible to get him out! Even the laser pointer isn’t enough of an enticement, and that almost always works.
As you can imagine, he gets shut inside about once a week or so…
Aby-a-Day – Day 331 of 365
I put up our Christmas tree and the other holiday decorations up this afternoon.
Of course, I had help.
Aby-a-Day – Day 329 of 365
Today was the big day: Thanksgiving! Of course, Jacoby helped with the turkey.
“Isn’t it done yet?”
“Maybe we need to turn up the heat? Or turn it over, or something?”
“Moo-om! Why is it taking so long!?”
Aby-a-Day – Day 328 of 365
I started preparing our Thanksgiving turkey last night.
Jacoby helped.
It’s a 21lb turkey. He’s an 11lb cat. You have to admire that kind of ambition.
He actually licked the turkey while it was still wrapped in plastic. Goofball.
Aby-a-Day – Day 293 of 365
Jacoby is a fearless hunter.
Especially when his prey is already conveniently dead and wrapped in plastic.
Notice that he has one eye on me and the camera…
Of course, it’s also entirely possible that he was just after the styrofoam meat tray…
Aby-a-Day – Day 290 of 365
In case you weren’t aware, it’s Jacoby’s sacred duty to check on every single thing that happens in the kitchen.
The transformation of bread into toast is especially fascinating.
Although, I have to admit that, watching this, I was reminded of a certain LOLcat…
