We share space with two cats, one indoor only and one outdoor only (though he has access to the garage through Blackie the mutt's doggie door). The indoor cat is a diminutive, albeit full-grown, gray and black female named Skweex. The outdoor cat is named Tiger, and he must remain outside because, even though he's neutered, he has chosen a corner of the living room in which to urinate. This is a non-negotiable offense with me; he only comes indoors under constant observation. He prefers the outdoors at this point, anyway, because the much younger and smaller Skweex pesters him.
When we come home from work or the store or a small trip, Tiger is at the end of the driveway to meet us, trusting our driving skills (and our brakes) implicitly. I have warned my daughter and my wife that the noble feline will surely end up as driveway pizza someday, no matter how careful we are. He disappears under the front of the vehicle, and we must creep forward at tortoise pace, praying that he is moving ahead in front of the wheels.
One of his favorite cat things to do is to warm his rump on the heated hood of the car. See below...
Tiger will often be perched on one of the vehicles when we are ready to use it ourselves. He will stay there until we have backed out of the driveway, only jumping off when the auto starts moving forward, at which point the driver is forced to crane head and neck to determine that he has retreated back to the yard. Fortunately for
Tiger, we live at the end of a cul-de-sac, and there is not much traffic. Also, he is a homebody, and never ventures more than a couple of doors in either direction.
For those of you who are wondering why I've placed the cat on an Edsel in the illustration, you'll have to go to my Illustration Friday post on 'E is for...' I made a promise that I'd include an Edsel in the illustration for the next topic. So, true to my word there's the rough rendering of the elusive Edsel. I've been a bit rushed this week, and the illustration shows it.
Hope this finds everyone happy and healthy (or at least complacent and contemplative). Peace to us all.
37 comments:
Charming image all the same, whether or not you had enough time this week. Cats can be totally practical on one level i.e. warming up on the boot, and yet wander around the wheels of a moving car. Like the pics and your cats as well.
...::: )
Nice car! ;-)
Like the illo, and the post that goes with it...Tiger sounds like quite a character :)
Thank you for the Edsel! I've always wanted a '50s vehicle and a ginger cat, so I like this for more than just the high quality of the work. As for your solutuon to Tiger's 'lav issues' it's a good one. Once they start marking indoors it's almost impossible to break them of it. Been there done that.
I once wondered why my car bonnet had very faint scratches. I asked the garage. The guy asked if we had a cat. I said: "Two!"
"They're the answer to your scratches!"
Lovely illustration!
Haha, cats are just such funny creatures!
Enjoyed the illustration and the story, too.
Just fabulous!
The story & the ART!
Big Big Smooch to your furry model/muse,
The Tart
There is a kitty named Edsel and I have sent him to meet your kitties and see your car!
http://edselthepooch.blogspot.com/
It is a small word world!
Smooch,
The Tart
here i am, here i am!! i got named after a pink edsel and my Mom now collects little edsel cars and signs, etc. your illustration is very nice, just don't squash your kitty, please!
cute cat
I love how proud the cat's pose looks. Great job!
Excellent.
Love the cat. Love the car!
The whole driveway thing is so typical, isn't it? They always mkae us watch out for them - after all - we're just the mere humans. Anyway, I like the illo of Tiger on the Edsel, and I really enjoyed seeing pictuers of Tiger and Skweex - what very delicious cats!
this is so great! happy to see the promised edsel, love that you made it that perfect green color and the story is hilarious! It is funny how animals tempt fate all the time. I guess they need a little excitement too! Reall terrific illo and story!
Great illustration of Tiger on the Edsel and photographs well shot :) Cats can be delicious!
Terry is protected by a potato, you were concerned.
Very nice colors, is very confortable
Love the colours of the illo too! I thought about taking a pic of my cat too - amazing the personalities -
Tiger is very independent karakter. Not to forget very handsome if that goes for cats. Nice illo.....
Edsels and Studebakers... nothing else like'em! And I miss having happy paw prints on our cars... but we think a coyote got our last cat, so the current one is indoors only. Like the Elephant from last week, too. Those middle of the room invisibilities are quite powerful, aren't they!
I love a good kitty story...and a good kitty portait...thanks for both! Long live your cats!! You're drawings are always a joy!
Nice Illo! I think the Edsel adds a nice touch to it.
I'm digging the Edsel idea - and nice you made good on your promise! Thanks for your nice comments on my blog as well.
Great illustration, with the car and all. Nice statement to go along with the pics too!
Wonderful work! Great!
bravo to the regal kitty....such a wonderful subject
Love how this image is so sleek! The kitty is cute too!
Great illo! I knew you'd come thru with the Edsel!
Fantastic drawing made even better with your story.
The green color of the Edsel is very fresh. Cats do make great hood ornaments. I love the stories of your cats. The name Skweex is very cute, just like him! I had a cat that looked similar to him growing up. Her name was Tim (don't ask). She lived to the ripe old age of 19. I still miss her!!
GREAT illustration!!...and LOVE the story! I'm also a cat lover...they are the funniest (and smartest) animals! :) I am also a fan of classic cars...you captured both so well!! LOVE you illustrations!!
I love this illustration. I love old cars and I love cats! Though my two annoy and bedevil me.
Thanks for the cat story, very entertaining.
Your car obsessed felines look so blissed out perched atop their chosen vehicles.
This is great! Both of my cats are indoor cats, but some of the neighbors' cat run loose and I'll find dusty little paw prints on my car sometimes. Cat have such a knack for being difficult, haven't they? I think it's one of the things I like about them. *G*
Oh my gosh!!! Tiger is totally my Tuffy. Makes me want to reach out and hug him and tell him all my new life dramas. And how wonderful to include the Edsel which I consider the epitome of life, something you remember as big and glorious and full of promise but with its share of problems and heartaches.
You have created my boyfriends nightmare! He has two 1958 Edsel's (he collects), and I have three cats which he barely tolerates (we live together). I think if any of my kitties decided to sit on his Edsel they would not live to see another day.
You can check out his website at: http://www.edselstuff.com. He is a car photographer and an Edsel FREAK. Did you know there are a lot of Edsel freaks? It's true. They are on par with Star Trek freaks in their freakiness. I know because I've been to their conventions. I keep meaning to do a documentary about them.
Anyway, very cute drawing. I can't wait to show Matt tonight. He will cringe.
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