I have three cats; Gigi, my ginger female, Lapsong Suchong, a grey tiger girl, and Noisette my tortoiseshell little explorer and snuggle monster.
Noisette is the youngest and the smallest. And the most independent. She always has been. Of her kitten siblings she was the only one to figure out she could get outside through a raised on high cat window. And since then there has been no stopping her. She has taken to exploring the world with gusto.
A Little History
Gigi is the mother of both Lapsong and Noisette, though they are from different litters. (That is a chaotic story in itself, told in Animal Antics 1 & 2 tales.)
My three girls could not be more different. Gigi is uber smart, understands conversations, and is a territorial nut. Lapsong I describe as my ‘blond’, like Reese Witherspoon in the film Legally Blond, that is there is more to her than her beautiful face. And her ability to eat.
Noisette
Noisette (hazelnut in French) is the cunning, quiet one. Unless she has caught a mouse. Or a rat, or a bird, or a Lerot, or a… then she certainly lets me know. Though she has learned that letting me know in the wee hours of the night does not get praise, as compared to a little later in the morning or day. Nor does catching animals I don’t approve of, such as birds. So she just eats those I won’t praise her for. Then barfs up the evidence.
She is a small cat, and the others gang up on her. Gigi, because it is territorial thing. She has a go at any cat that comes in to her territory. Lapsong, because she occasionally likes to show she is still in the cat game. My little Noisette has learned to skirt them every time. She is a heads down get on with life kinda gal.
My Own Little World
She lives in her own world for certain. And quite contentedly. With a preference for the outdoors. She has a favourite sleeping spot under the raspberry bushes in the veg garden. When I work around there, inevitably Noisette comes out and lets me know she is awake by meowing with each step she takes. It’s a particular quirk she has.
I am meant to drop whatever I am doing and give her a cuddle. She has earned the nickname of snuggle monster in consequence. She is actually the only one of my cats into cuddles. The other two are affectionate but show their affection in different ways. Noisette is all about being held.
If I put her down before she has had enough, she is quick to try and climb right back up me for more. And I do mean climb. She will first ask though, putting a paw up, or even both paws up on my leg. If ignored she will then try to make her own way up. I always wear jeans in consequence when gardening.
Gardening with Noistte
One of my favourite things is when kneeling down weeding and Noisette likes to get up on my shoulders. Her preference is to hang out in the small of my back while I pull weeds, watching the world about her from new heights. It makes gardening slightly more complicated, but definitely more fun.
As a predominantly outdoor cat, Noisette has staked the gardens as her territory. Gigi can be found in front of the house, generally sunning herself on the car. Lapsong prefers indoors and has commandeered the main room as her domain. But my littlest one prefers her adventures and solitude. With moments of intense snuggling in between.
More Animal Antics
If you would like to read more of my animals antics, from cats to chickens, to… you will find them here. If you prefer to focus on ducks, check out my Ducks 101, or Maggie’s Tale (life with an imprinted duck, from birth to death).
If you enjoy my tales, please consider joining in and nourishing Pumpjack & Piddlewick.
Or, check out My Shop, where I have a number of animal related items. Here’s a taste:
Simply click on an image to see more.