The Adventures of Cleo the (Princess) cat*

A few years ago, we had a new addition to our family... She had come from an abandoned warehouse, as skinny as a rake and as nervous a fish out of water. It took her quite a few months to get used to us and her new home, but once she had settled in, she was living a life of pure luxury :) Cleo, the princess had officially arrived (I gave her, her princess title ;) ) The cat with the most personality I had ever seen...

This is no ordinary cat, she truly is a little princess. I do however think my family has me to blame for that, but I don't care :) She deserves all the love and attention in the world. We've tried putting down a basket for her to sleep in, but she just doesn't seem to like them. She has her own couch (take note, COUCH) that she sleeps and sits on. You could say the couch has her name printed on it... When we have guests around, no matter who, and they dare sit on her 'thrown', she walks up to them, stares, meeuuws and that is her way of telling them "Excuse me sir, you are on my thrown'. If the person doesn't move, she'll lie next to them (on the floor) and continually give them the 'hairy eyeball'.

Giving me the 'Puss in boots' face from Shrek

A day in the life of Cleo consists of:

Anytime from 5am: Meeeuuwwing for food
After breakfast: Walking around the house, finding the perfect 'illegal' (my mom or sisters' bedrooms are off limits. Mine isn't ;) ) spot to sleep ALL day long. If she doesn't find a spot, her couch is the chosen one.
Once we all get home (Approx 17h00): Climbing onto the windowsill and lazing while the sun bakes her.
Anytime from 6pm: Meeeeuuuwing for food
After supper: Patrolling the house, and meeuuwing to go outside and look for her new play toy (whether it be a fly, moth, Christmas beetle or moll). Exploring the garden and lying in between the ferns like a tiger :)
Once she has completed her nightly patrol, she heads off to her bed.

She LOVES food, and lets just say she has a weight issue. We have tried putting her on a diet, but nothing seems to work. The fact that she has such a good sense of smell and hearing doesn't help the issue either. The minute the fridge opens, no matter what packaging the cheese is in, she knows its cheese and the next thing you know, she is sitting by your feet waiting for just a taste. We often say no, but it is so hard to say no to this little face :) The extra weight does add to her character, so it's okay...

Posing with her red ribbon (not very impressed)

She also has her days when she is full of stories to tell. She literally speaks to us (in her own way). It's the cutest thing. Some days I try my luck at a piece of string. Dangling it above her, while she lies on her back. It's my way of working her 'abs' ;)

I could go on all day talking about her, but it really will take all day :) Although I now live in Cape Town in the week, I look extra forward to weekends when I can spend time with my princess!