Introducing Cleo

Well, it's weekend cat-blogging time, and I've realized that with my entry onto the cat-blogging scene last week, I neglected to formally introduce the star of the show, Cleo!

Yep, this is Cleo, short for Cleopatra, partly because of the lovely kohl markings around her eyes, and partly because she's a royal bitch with a superiority complex. (Did I really just say that out loud?)

Lucky for her (and for her adoring fans), she's also super cute, especially when she's sleeping and especially especially when she's super pooped!

I particularly enjoy cold days when she snuggles under the sheets - I'll walk into the bedroom and find a vaguely cat-shaped lump in the covers. If she's unlucky, I find out by sitting on her. Cat-shaped lumps are awfully similar to pillow- or mussed-covers -shaped lumps.

Peeking underneath, though, often reveals a kitty-shaped sleeping blob that, unless provoked, will stay put for hours.

But don't let her fluffy exterior fool you; this is one bratty kitty.

And anyone who thinks of cats as graceful creatures sure hasn't seen Cleo during her morning gyrations in the sunspot on the carpet.

Nor watched her steer me toward her food bowl every day, much as a sheepdog would, by running alongside me, cutting off my path when I stray, and nipping at my feet.

Every now and then the facade slips, and we can see the pure evil that is her true nature peeking through:

(Ok, so she was really just yawning, but wow what a maw!)

But she's awfully sweet when she chooses to be. I've decided that her meanness is just so much bluster to cover up the fact that, at heart, she's really just a lap cat.

And really, its mostly just other people she's rude to. Me she likes. Right?

And if nothing else , she's certainly good for a laugh. Particularly when hopped-up on catnip.

So don't worry, folks. Cleo will surely be good for years of cat-blogging fodder! She's a total diva. And my, is she pretty.