The Cat is Hampered

@owlwings (43915)
Cambridge, England
December 29, 2016 6:31am CST
Someone gave us one of those Christmas Hampers - you know the kind of thing: an attractive basket, mostly filled with wood shavings and with a selection of goodies on top, all wrapped attractively in cellophane. I can't remember exactly what goodies there were. Perhaps there was a bottle of wine, a jar or two of chutney or preserve and a large pannetone amongst other things. Anyway, the goodies were consumed or put away to pass on to someone else (as is the way) and the wood shavings sent for recycling. There remained the basket, which looked about cat sized. It was furnished with an old piece of blanket and left where Mephistopheles could investigate it. He gave it a sniff and clearly wasn't over-impressed but, later, I placed it on my bed, where he often lies and he thought that was rather cool. Now he has really taken to it and makes a bee-line for it whenever he decides to grace me with his presence!
21 people like this
23 responses
@allknowing (130064)
• India
29 Dec 16
Mephistopheles - what's your cat's real name?
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
His 'everyday' name is 'Misty' (or 'Mister' - both sound much the same to a cat) and his particular name is 'Mephistopheles'. The basket appears to be the right and proper place for contemplating "His ineffable, effable, Effanineffable, Deep and inscrutable singular Name."
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1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
29 Dec 16
I had to check for the meaning of Mephistopheles and thought perhaps your cat has those traits. I have noticed one thing cats prefer boxes
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
@allknowing He's black and when I first met him (as a quite tiny kitten) I asked him -mentally - what his name was and he lisped, in kitten-language, "Mephistopheles". I can only assume that that's what his mummy called him. Whether either of them understood the implications, I shall never know.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325877)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Dec 16
Cats always seem to love a box or a basket. It's good you've found a use for it.
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
I have never known a cat that could make a proper nest but, really, they should do - high up in a position of command and with a roof over it, like a magpie's nest.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37726)
• Philippines
30 Dec 16
Our cats love boxes too. They also want something soft like the floor mat.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325877)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Dec 16
@owlwings In their minds they ARE up there - looking down on us mere mortals.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48522)
• Canada
29 Dec 16
He looks so content here, like the box was given to you just for this very purpose of his!
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
He sniffed at the basket with the cellophane wrapping as if to say "Why do you put such junk in a basket which is clearly meant for cats?".
1 person likes this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
5 Nov
I have found, when it comes to cats, in their minds, every place is a place who's only purpose is their enjoyment. lol
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
30 Dec 16
He looks quite content and comfortable in his new digs.
2 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
5 Nov
A post like this just confirms, all cats will make any place theirs. I find out cats in some VERY odd places at times. It never ceases to fascinate me. lol
@Morleyhunt (21736)
• Canada
29 Dec 16
Cats often enjoy closed in spaces....boxes and baskets are high on the list. Looks like that basket is a success.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Dec 16
Look at that goofy position the cute kitty is in!
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
I couldn't resist taking the photo of that position (and this time he seemed quirkily proud of it and let me!)
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Dec 16
Looks like he claimed it as his! Ours lay claim to an empty box. She will walk around and sniff it for a few minutes then jump in. We keep it for about a week and then eventually toss it out. She goes on to the next spot where she lays claim. Usually it is the back of my chair.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
When I first put it down (on the floor), he sniffed at it, put a paw in, quickly withdrew it and then gave it a wide berth. It was only when I put it on the bed that he said it was good.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Dec 16
@owlwings made it worthy of a try if you put it on your bed.
1 person likes this
@egdcltd (12060)
29 Dec 16
"If I fits, I sits."
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
29 Dec 16
He seems to say : "Will you realize that I need to lie down on the diagonal side in this little box ?". Nice picture
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
Yes, he does like to emulate a draught-excluder sometimes and even the diagonal won't fit his full, stretched length!
1 person likes this
• China
30 Dec 16
It is great that the cat goes for the new house !He looks so cute lying in the Christmas Hamper.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111204)
• El Paso, Texas
29 Dec 16
Awww, he is adorable in his basket.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458377)
• Switzerland
29 Dec 16
This is a very good picture, Mephistopheles looks lovely. Cats are very selective to choose their "resting spot". It seems he likes the basket now.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
29 Dec 16
that also helps contain the hair to one spot! kinda, lol
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Dec 16
Cats will shed their hair wheresoever they wish and, if a favourite place becomes too hair-ridden, I think they will change it, though, as you suggest, I can shake out the blanket from time to time. So far he's achieved his adult coat without noticable shedding. We have spring to come, of course. He's a shorthair, so it shouldn't be as much problem as a long-hair.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
29 Dec 16
@owlwings I always had a few spare blankets, do that with the dog, and swap them out about once a week
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
29 Dec 16
That turned out to be apurrfect present
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246993)
• United States
29 Dec 16
He is so cute! He certainly knows his place!
@Poppylicious (11133)
30 Dec 16
My cats would turn their noses up at something so posh. Give them a cardboard box {any size, they like a challenge} and they're as happy as Larry.
• United States
29 Dec 16
He is a beautiful cat. :) I have never known a cat to choose a basket even as nice as that, when they have a nice warm much more comfy bed and a human to snuggle up to. :)
@Hannihar (129481)
• Israel
10 Nov 17
Cats like to find all kinds of place to make their own. So can you get near the basket for will the cat not let you?
• Trinidad And Tobago
30 Dec 16
I was referred to pose a question to you...as a long standing member here. Do you know how members are there in myLot? One new member suggested 500 person. Do you know? Or where I can find that information, please?
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
30 Dec 16
I answered you in the appropriate place.
@porwest (78759)
• United States
5 Nov
Cats and their unending love of being in places never intended for them, but that somehow become theirs by default. Gotta love 'em. Fantastically entertaining creatures who never failure to deliver their dose of entertainment.