Felix

I have had Felix since 1985. We got him while we were still
in college... and he has traveled with us from Chicago to California.
Unfortunatly, his brother Casey is no longer with us.

This was written right after we got our new kitten, "Ike"

As our story unfolds, Felix (our hero) is quite content
with his new role as top cat and master of the house.
He eats the whole can of cat food, he gets undivided attention and pets.
He is no longer chased off of laps with a single look.
He *is* the alpha cat.
Much to his chagrin, mom and dad decide to bring a new purring machine
into the quiet domain of Felix.
The little rascal is 6 months old and nothing but trouble.
He is all black from the top view.
When you look at his face you notice white around the bottom lip.
He has a white diamond starting at his shoulders
that trickles into a small white line down his chest.
It becomes a large white patch on the belly,
and then trickles down to a small white line
that wraps around his back left leg.
The toes on all four paws are white as well.
He has orange eyes, and white whiskers on his eyes and mouth.

Felix has tried to exert his dominance over the kitten,
however, his good nature and politeness may get in the way.
There have been a few good paws to the head on Felix's part.
Once when the little bugger dive bombed his tail,
once when he tried to give nose kisses to Felix.
Fine, we can smell noses, but to try and kiss Felix!!!
It's bad enough he's already done that to Mom, Dad and Tracy.
Felix seem hesitant to swat the youngster.
Perhaps due to the size difference,
perhaps due to Felix's excellent manners.

Felix and the kitten are s-l-o-w-l-y getting aquatinted.
They have smelled noses thru the screen door, under the bed,
in the bathroom, and under the living room table.
Felix has emitted a few hisses and some low growls,
and a few swats to the head, but nothing major.
Felix seems content to escape from the kitten by running into our bedroom.
I close the door, to give Felix this little respite and haven.
Kitten instantly used Felix's litter box,
and eats out of the Felix bowl.
Felix in turn has tried to use the *undersized* litter pan of the Kitten's,
(I do not have to mention how silly he looked
-mark likened it to clowns in a small clown-car)
as well as eat out of the kitten's bowl.
Never mind that there is the **SAME FOOD** in both bowls,
it look better in someone else's, I guess.

Felix has a cautious prowl, and has yet to walk surely around the house.
The Kitten is oblivious to all.
He has gone on his belly twice
in an effort for Felix to play.
Once they were separated by the screen door,
the other time, they were by the door.
Felix was not going for it either time.
I hope that time will prove an ally,
and that they will eventually get along.
Felix seems content in our room at night,
as this is still completely HIS domain.
The last few months, he developed this pattern
for nighttime roosting in the crook of our arm.
He will snuggle with both Mark and I.
He likes to be at the end of the bed, not in the middle.
For the first time (ever) last night,
Felix slept with his face on mine. It was the sweetest thing.