When I saw the buzz around blogland about Lily Pad Quilting's Quilt "Show" of Pets on Quilts, I knew I was going to enter this picture of Tookie "helping" me pin baste one of my quilts. She has a tendency, like most cats, to place herself at the center of what is going on.
We adopted Tookie about 7 years ago. At the time, I was pregnant with our first child. If Tookie had only known then what she was in store for, she might have chosen a different family! In Los Angeles, the municipal shelters are overrun with animals, so it has become practice for rescue groups to take adoptable animals out of the shelters, foster them at their homes for a period of time, then put them up for adoption at the local pet stores. We adopted Tookie from one of these groups and we are happy we did!
Tookie definitely has a "cat's attitude" about many things. She wants what she wants and won't tolerate anything else. She frequently swats at my ankles as I am going downstairs to let me know that she wants me to stay with her and give her attention. She loves belly rubs. She is also the first cat I have owned that actually sleeps through the night, either at the foot of our bed or next to my pillow. She snores. Loudly.
She is tolerant of the kids (Ashley - 6, Lizzy - 4, and Olivia - almost 2). She is always in whatever room we are, though strategically just out of reach. It wasn't until Olivia was born that she really started letting the children touch her on a regular basis. She loves Olivia, and is especially fond of listening to her bedtime stories which frequently involve kitties and other animals. She will also let Ashley pet her from time to time. Lizzy doesn't get many chances and is still a little rough. Olivia by far is her favorite.
In many ways she is the perfect quilt kitty. She follows me wherever I go in the house, like a dog, to keep me company. If I am down in the garage sewing, she settles in on the floor next to me, or keeps the ironing board warm for me. If I am upstairs doing handwork in front of the TV, she is snuggled up at my side purring away. If I am at the computer, she frequently lays down on the keyboard. She is always one to help!
That is Tookie! I am sure you will see more of her from time to time, since she is my assistant.
Jen
Tookie sounds like a sweet heart. Such beautiful eyes. That is a face I would love. It sounds wonderful that your children have such a cat to teach them and Tookie is blessed with a family to love her.
ReplyDeletePurr purr from Rusken (my cat) to your cat :) A cat needs a lot of quilts to sleep on.
ReplyDeleteYour cat is adorable and a great companion! Love the colours of your pinned quilt - my style!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Tookie's "cattitude" of helping you in whatever way she can. She's a lovely cat and takes a great picture.
ReplyDeleteTookie just took my heart! What a beauty.
ReplyDeleteTookie does have cattitude - and a sweet face. A cat has to have a sweet face - to get what they want.
ReplyDeleteOh Jen, Tokie is so beautiful. I'm delighted to hear she found her forever home with your family. And, I love your quilt too.
ReplyDeleteGreat post/entry to the Pets on Quilts Show. And, thanks for helping to increase awareness of the pleasures of adopting a pet from a shelter. There are so many pets living in shelters that need to find their forever home.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Tokie is so beautiful and the quilt is great.
ReplyDeleteTookie sounds like a great pet and a BIG helper????
ReplyDeleteGreat helper!
ReplyDeleteTookie is such a lovely color- I can well imagine how he helps you if he is anything like our cat Mars- She rolls in my fabrics and tries to help me sew.
ReplyDeleteRegards from Western Canada,
Anna
She is such a beautiful kitty - great pic of her on your pretty quilt.
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful! That coloring and those eyes, you're both lucky to have found each other. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJen, thank you for sharing Tookie and your quilt with us! It drives me bonkers to have Molly Cat in the middle of everything, but I find I am lost when she isn't. Thanks again :o)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Tookie!!
ReplyDeleteTookie is so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteTookie is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTookie is indeed very beautiful...and the story of her finding just the right home is even better!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining in our Pets on Quilts show!
Thank you for sharing Tookie's story. I loved hearing about her and her family dynamics.
ReplyDeleteI am liking the color scheme!
ReplyDeletehow sweet it is that the animals always manage to tolerate all but one special kid. that kid, they have to be near. :D Glad Tookie's blessed your home.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabrics. great cat.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cat Miss Tookie is........like most cats she has adopted you too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story and a great looking cat.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story about Tookie. I had a cat years ago who would only help during rotary cutting of the pieces. She liked swishing her tail right across the line of cutting. It was a real challenge.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post about a lovely cat-nice quilt too.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt - and lucky kids to have a tolerant cat to pet
ReplyDeleteTookie is beautiful! Love the red heart against all the blues and greens.
ReplyDeleteTookie so reminds me of my wonderful childhood cat! However did you teach Tookie to pin baste?! :)
ReplyDelete