Loki, le Chat Noir

I grew up having cats in my home, and I've always been a cat person at heart, whether cats could detect that or not. However, for the last few years, cats have warmed to me instantly.

During my time in Leicester recently, I met Loki. My friends who are Danish and French, told me that Loki is skittish and shies away from people. They said Loki runs away and hides when anyone comes to the house.

Oh, what a shame, I thought.

Still, I looked him in the eyes, smiled, said hello, and watched him stare back at me. I stooped down to his level, and you know it, Loki extended his right arm with a friendly greeting.

We were surprised by his recipient, and I just kept on smiling, thinking how wonderful it was to see him appreciate a smile and attention.

So, I gently stroked the top of his head and I observed that he was getting comfortable and right away Loki was on his back and in ecstasy as I rubbed his belly.

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There's an attic and a basement; Loki's two favourite chilling places. If Loki hears a strange voice, he extends his long legs and leaps up to the attic, looking like a miniature black panther.

Where he gauges his sense of safety.

Loki enjoyed being in the same room with me, and I felt good seeing him calm and content around me. Belly rubs quickly became Loki's addiction, so every morning and night I heard a little meow at my room door, where I'd let him in and we played for a while.

Loki likes wet food dry food, and snacks on both throughout the day, however, his love for water has him lapping from his water fountain all day, and for variety, he climbs up to drink from the tap once the tap is open.

Loki then sits on the counter by the window looking out and he twitches and wags his tail at the sight of pigeons and squirrels and then deliberately uses his right hand to tap each glass off the counter.

Then he just sits there as if to say, "Don't you know who I am?"

Loki lives up to his name, don't you think?

Loki remains alert and is always on the lookout.

Stopping by my room for his belly rubs became a part of Loki's daily routine of sleeping, eating, removing obstacles, keeping my company and just getting to know me.

Loki was a little perturbed about my divided attention, and being the curious cat, he came to see for himself.

I think what he saw and read made sense to him.

He gave me a look of approval and time to continue my work by going to inspect the radiator by the window, where he'd just sat comfortably.

Cats are sensitive, and I got the impression that Loki was wise that my going away date was coming near.

So in the corner, he sat staring at me without engagement. It's like Loki knew that I was heading back home to another cat, and in his eyes, and his body language he wanted me to know that I was being a traitor.

"When you go black, you don't go back."

I'm not sure when I'll see Loki, the mischievous black pussycat again, but my cat Bob is oblivious to my little cat affair.

Happy Caturday Peeps:)

All images are mine.