Game of Cat and Mouse

While visiting a pet store and watching the mice run around and around on their little wheel, I had a moment ... a bit of an epiphany. The piped in music died away. I swear one mouse held eye contact with me; he even had this look on his face like, "Yep. This is what it's all about." And I thought ... that's pretty much what my life is like, too. Wake up, breakfast, errand or playdate, lunch, naptime, laundry, unload dishwasher, blog, craft or activity, dinner, bathtime, bedtime, blog, sleep, and do it all over again!

And while the cat's away, the mice will play ...

Our trip to the pet store wasn't just for mice watching (and epiphany-having), although NHV could probably do that for an hour or so. We were also buying presents for our kitty man's birthday. Louie, newly four years old, got a cool corrugated cardboard scratchy thing - with catnip - and new bowls for water and food because his seemed a little disgusting. Natalie took such pride in helping me choose Louie's presents and carrying them to the check-out. Louie was so excited - almost kitten like - when we arrived home with our presents. Natalie and I sang "Happy Birthday," I sprinkled the catnip on the scratcher, and Louie had himself quite a celebration!

I really should've grabbed the camera and documented the moment. After all, a cat only turns four once in his life, right. But I didn't ... yes, I am a bad kitty mom. So I dug through my photo files and discovered that we haven't really taken many pics of Louie since ... before our firstborn joined the family ... imagine that :) But here's one of Louie sitting in the new glider in what would become Natalie's nursery. It was a favorite nap spot for a long time.

Now, Louie takes most of his naps in a basket on top of the refrigerator - away from the noise and hubbub. That's where he is right now. And between CPV's legs at the foot of the bed is his favorite place to sleep through the night. He also demands a spoonful of moist food as soon as we get out of bed in the morning. Other than that, he's a super chill, tolerant cat ... who sometimes acts more like a dog.

We've decided to keep him an indoor cat, and sometimes I struggle with that decision ... because all the neighbor cats prowl around and taunt Louie through the open windows. I wonder if Louie is sad being stuck inside all day, everyday? I wonder if Louie feels an awful lot like the mouse on the wheel, too?