Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but Portia certainly seems to have undergone a personality transformation.
Once upon a time Portia was a curious kitten and bounded around in the undergrowth around our house chasing dragonflies and other creatures. Then she morphed into regal indoor lap kitty to whom the great outdoors was a very scary place, to be avoided at all costs.
But today, today she is spending the night outside super explorer kitty. It’s quite amazing. Open the front or back door and she zooms out before you can say ‘Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s super kitty!!’
Latest Turq health report. The death spiral continues but at three years and counting don’t expect it to end anytime soon. His symptoms continue to deteriorate and it’s hard to tell how well/unwell he feels. Last vet visit he’d actually gained weight. At the beginning of the summer we had thought his days were numbered but on current form he might actually make it to the new year.
Current temperature 61F/16C
It really is quite remarkable! She used to be terrified of wind and smells and insects and all the other annoying complications of life in the world. Now she bravely spends the night outside, although we have no idea where she goes or what she does. Coborn’s grocery store is the only all-night establishment in town, and I have it on good authority that she’s not hanging out there…
Night before last she spend the night out again, and I woke up about 7am to a serious thunderstorm and pouring rain. I ran downstairs to close some windows (didn’t want Sub-Evil Boy to float away) and went to the front door calling for Portia. While trying to find her, Turq shot out and in the downpour I wasn’t about to go out and grab him. It was pretty hilarious (in a mean sort of way) watching him trying to reconcile his desparate desire for freedom with his unhappiness with the prospect of being a soggy kitty. After pacing around a bit, he shot off down the walk, but after making it about 10 feet he made a complete U turn without the slightest pause and flew back into the house. Obviously the weather was just too much for him.
After watching this wonderful show, I turned back to the door just in time to see Portia scooting inside as fast as her round little body could go. She wasn’t super wet, so she’d obviously found shelter, but in my pre-occupation with Turq’s antics I didn’t see where she came from so I’m not sure where that was.
I wasn’t sure if she’d still want out at night after that, but there she was at the door when it got dark last night. She was back at the door around 11pm wanting in (and lucky I was downstairs to hear her), so she didn’t spend the whole night out, though.
Ain’t they amazing little creatures?