10.05.2010

Boys in the Bedroom

The boy’s lives changed dramatically after Molly died. Because she was very old and frail and sometimes ornery, she lived in our master bedroom exclusively. She did not like the boys and did not want to fraternize with them one bit. On the other side of the door however the boys were dying to get into this secret chamber that was off limits to them, but for quite different reasons.

Casper had been in love with Molly for all of the years he has been with us. He would spend hours in the adjoining bedroom under the bed, spying through a large decorative heating grate in the wall. He would watch her moving around in the bedroom and pine for his ladycat who would not acknowledge his existence. Ben on the other hand just wanted to be with us and was very jealous of the mysterious room where we disappeared. When I would go into the bedroom to spend time with Molly or in the evening when we went to sleep he would jump up and down at the door trying to peer through the frosted glass and scratch on the panes at all hours of the night. Archie, who has only been with us for seven months, found the behaviour of his brothers somewhat comical and wondered what all the fuss was about. He did however agree that there must be something interesting behind the door and as always was in the thick of things.

The day after Molly went to the bridge, we opened the door to the bedroom and let the boys come in. Casper entered the room sniffing every inch for a trace of his Molly, Ben moved slowly head-bobbing the entire time because he knew he had never been allowed in before, and Archie galloped down the hall, blew past both of them and hurdled onto the bed in his normal “ta-da here I am” fashion.

Three Amigos

The three of them explored every inch of the room and jumped on every surface...dressers, bedside tables and closets were all investigated. Then they settled on the bed and did not leave. For days it seemed that all they did was change sleeping positions, were it not for the fact that food was eaten and boxes were used I never would have guessed that they left the room at all while we were at work! The first night there was very little sleeping done by either Robert or myself; thank goodness it was Friday and we didn’t have to get up early the next morning. Our excited boys ran, jumped, played, tussled, and knocked things over all night! Every book I had on my nightstand ended up on the floor along with my coaster and a bottle of water. The boys were thrilled with this new arrangement and spent extended periods of time leaping on an off the bed; just because they could. We also now had to get used to several heavy cats on the bed at once sleeping, leaning, curled and stretched over various parts of our bodies (Molly slept either on my pillow or in her basket which was on a bench at the foot of our bed). Does all this activity and late-night kitty shenanigans sound awful? Actually I loved every minute of their enthusiasm and seeing them so happy was the one bright spot during a very sad time!

Blissed Out Boy

31 comments:

The Monkeys said...

I had a similar experience many years ago when my Desdemona died. Every night she slept with me while I was on my side against my stomach. It was a much coveted spot by Muddy, but he never dared sleep there. Even though she had been absent quite a few days at the vet's before she died, Muddy didn't go there. The day she did die, Muddy somehow knew and very happily snuggled up. As hard as it was, it was also very comforting, and his happiness at finally sleeping there made it easier for me to sleep.

I'm glad the boys happiness at finally being in the room is comforting to you. Cats have such a wonderful way of dealing with things and making us feel better.

Kea said...

I can just imagine Archie barreling into the room, in that "ta da!" manner of which you wrote. Nicki would do the same. LOL.

Well, they've all had a grand time exploring and I hope they're settling down now, letting you and your hubby get more sleep at night!

Anonymous said...

We're happy that the boys took to your room like they've been there forever. Poor Casper so in love with Molly and she couldn't give a rat tookus. I know what you mean about having a kitty in a certain spot all the time, then not there anymore. That was how it was for me when Scooter passed. She used to lay on my left side and still to this day, no one ventures there.

The Florida Furkids said...

We're all doing things we never did while Sniffie was here too. Allie has taken to sleeping in a lot of Sniffie's favorite spots and Ellie slept on Mom's pillow the other night. Mom's pillow was exclusively Sniffie's. Tamir sometimes looks at Allie in Sniffie's spots and just stares at her.

The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie

Hannah and Lucy said...

It is strange how cats always know when they can go into a spot where they would not have been allowed before.

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

I like the way they are laying on the bed, sort of in a triangle.
Molly was a beautiful girl. We just lost our sisfur, Sara a couple of weeks ago. She was a calico, too.
~ Anna Sue

Rene said...

They may never want to come out of the bedoom now. :-) I think it's cute the Casper adored Molly from afar. Our Sadie adores Tucker, but he wants nothing to do with her. Still, she keeps trying.

♥I am Holly♥ said...

You have to love the kitties!! They were all happy to get to the room after they explored it. What's a bed without a lot of kitties on it anyway!! Lots of love, Holly and mom

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

I too am so glad that the 3 amigos have taken up residence in the master bedroom. I am also glad it is such comfort for you, as it is so understandable that you have a Molly sized hole to fill.

{hugs}

purrs
xoxoxxo
Abby

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

Mama taking over the comment today. I'm not very good with words, but hopefully you will understand what I'm trying to say.

I have found over my long lifetime that it is so true that when one door closes another opens. Sadly, Molly was taken from you, but you are being blessed now with the new behavior from the boys. And the boys are truly being blessed that you are no longer off limits behind that door. :)

Love from me and my boys,

Judi

Amy & the house of cats said...

The off limits room is always where they want to be - Lola is in her separate space now and I am constantly dragging the others out (well, not constantly - I am trying to keep her at least somewhat social). It is interesting that they all seem to know something is going on in certain places. And I also can understand about the strangeness when one has to go to the bridge - in our house it was kind of the opposite with Lola - when Floyd went to the bridge she avoided the areas that were his instead of going into them.

Keiko said...

It made our hearts so warm to read your post. We can just picture the excitement of your boys to find a new room to sleep in! Our eldest is Pricilla and she usually dominates the bed as well. She is the eldest by about 9 years but still very feisty and hisses if anybody else comes too close to her on the bed!

Thinking of Molly at the Bridge,
Purrs, Keiko, Kenji, Pricilla & Yuji

Brian's Home Blog said...

Yep, what they go though just to make you smile! Bravo gang!

Angel Simba said...

What a sweet post. I hope they are settling down better at night so you get some sleep! My human sister has a cat who can be a bog bother a night, sometimes, but when she has tried closing her out of the bedroom, she plucks at the carpet and does every possible thing she can to get let in. Luckily it is just the one.

the three boys all look so cute sleeping on the bed.

Marg said...

I had the same thing happen here last year. I had an older cat, Squeaky, that only staying in the bedroom, her own choice. So I would not allow anyone else in there to bother her. When she went to the bridge, everyone loved going in the bedroom.
Glad that the boys are enjoying the bedroom and it is really fun when they are having so much fun. Take care and have a great day.

cats of wildcat woods said...

So glad the boys are bringing smiles to yoru face with their antics. Lovely photo of them on the bed!

sarah said...

I love your cats. Especially the white one. so sweeeet :) I am, sarah I am fan of any gooddecorating ideas and I like your bedroom ;)

Ellen Whyte said...

It's nice the boys love the bedroom so much. And glad you don't mind the chaos that is cats at night. Your blissed out boy looks a lot like my Target.

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings friends,

After reading your post, both dad and I could not help but have a lump in our throat but also felt very warm in our hearts the way you told how the last several days went after Molly crossing the Rainbow Bridge.

We are delighted to learn that the boys are taking things in strides.

Wishing you a wonderful day,
Miss Kitty and Egmont (dad)

Cara n Crew said...

There's nothing like a closed door to pique the curiosity of a cat! Archie is such a cutie! We like the picture of the three boys hoggin the bed mol!

-Pip, Smidgen, Minnie

Cory said...

We are purring because the happiness of the 3 amigos will help eas the pain of losing Molly. They must be thrilled to be in the room AND on the bed!

The Island Cats said...

We're so happy the boys are finding new territory to explore!! They look so happy!!

meowmeowmans said...

We are so glad you were able to find joy in the boys even while you are mourning the loss of your sweet Molly. Purrs and prayers...

The Adventures of Scarlett and Melly said...

I'm so glad the boys have brought comfort to you, and that they are enjoying this new place to explore and nap.

Your description of Archie's "ta da, here I am" attitude made me laugh out loud - that is exactly how Melly is. :)

Samantha & Mom said...

You betcha!!! I'll be right over to check out the BED!!! I love beds, too and am always ta da ing Mom!!!
Nose kisses,
Clemmie

Katnip Lounge said...

Your boys knew just what you and your Husband needed...Cats are pretty intuitive, somtimes. We've had similiar incidences here, after a furkid passes.
Well done, Fine ManCats!

Sparkle said...

That must have been really exciting for the boys to explore that previously-forbidden bedroom! I think the three of them took a vote and decided to allow humans on the bed... otherwise you would have had to find somewhere else to sleep!

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

We know how much yoo must be missing Molly ~ and we are so pleased that the boys are back in town, and able to comfort yoo. (((((hugs))))

Teddy Westlife said...

Hooray for the boys. They know what you need.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are glad the boys have taken up residence in the bedroom and are giving you comfort.

Anonymous said...

Oh those curious boys. Our bedroom is off-limits to Suds and Magic because they eat the plants (not good for them) so of course it is that very room that they yearn to explore the most!!