wishes & fishes: a cat's Christmas

Sam watched me wrap Christmas gifts last night, his concentration so intense he seemed almost in a trance. I'm pretty sure he was polishing his 'mind control' act because soon after snapping this picture I found myself granting his every wish. First I handed over a nearly-new roll of red ribbon, you know, just in case he might want to play or tear it to shreds or...something. Then I felt strangely compelled to go looking for catnip in the kitchen cupboard...

'Twas the nip that proved his downfall. A little too much and Sam was ...well... bagged, leaving me to get on with my gift wrapping.

Our holiday houseguest is another frequent recipient of Sam's mighty stare. Norbert the splendid blue Betta splendens is our office mascot at the Day Job. We're in charge of keeping him warm and well-fed next week while the rest of the staff are vacationing.

Sam is particularly fond of Bettas. When he first joined our little tribe, I had a red Betta keeping me company on my computer desk. Sam would press his nose against the aquarium glass and Redfish would display his neck ruff and attack with gusto. That fish was much missed by both of us after his passing. (Natural causes, not cat-related. Redfish was a white-bearded old man by the time he died.) Sam seems quite delighted to have a new fishy friend on the premises. I wonder what he'll think when it's time for Norbert to go back to work?



Sam will be decking the halls at the Friday Ark, at Sunday's Carnival of the Cats (hosted this week by IMAO), and with the Weekend Cat Blogging Crew at Tiggy The Tiny Tiger.

Merry Christmas everyone!