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
