Sunday, January 11, 2009

wcb - elora's green frog

A small, fuzzy, once-upon-a-time-filled-with-catnip, stuffed green frog. Elora’s frog. I can’t imagine what she has named him in her quiet feline language, but I know she’s called him something. He is her best friend. A friend that I find in all kinds of places: in her bed, in a shoe, in her mouth as she tears across the hardwood floors, in front of the bathroom door, in her food dish resting on a bed a kibble and even in her water dish faced down like the victim of a small, unfortunate drowning accident (which is somewhat ironic for a frog).



Elora and the frog met the day we brought her home from shelter. She was a wide eyed bundle of grey fuzz, all of 12 weeks old. They bonded instantly. Possibly it was because the frog was one of the only items in the condo that was actually smaller than her. Or it may have been because she was comforted by the only other furry being around the place. Or it may have been the catnip. The catnip, however, is long gone but the friendship has stayed.



All types of other toys have come and gone. Mice that squeak, balls with bells, crazy coils and even other soft fuzzy toys of an animal nature. They would command her attention for a short period of time. It was almost as if she were patronizing these shiny new toys by gracing them with her presence for a week or two. Ultimately, however, each one met the same fate: discarded, untouched for weeks in a small corner of the apartment as thin veil of dust formed over their surface. She creeps past these toys, without so much as a glance in their direction, as she zooms in on her target for a gleeful pouncing: her frog.



Remarkably, after almost three years, the frog has remained intact. I think, at one point, it did have two eyes and its fur was somewhat more plush, but overall it has stood the test of time. And the test of Elora. She would attack that frog with such zeal that I had to remind myself it was just an inanimate object. But after every attack, I would find her sleeping with her small green friend tucked under a paw or curled up with her in her bed. They are inseparable and make quite a pair.

Often during the night, I will hear a soft meow and feel her small, warm body cuddle up beside my leg as she settles in for a sleep. And I know there has not been one addition to the bed but two: a tired little cat and her green stuffed frog.

contribution for weekend cat blogging, hosted this week by the sour dough.

20 comments:

breadchick said...

Oh what a wonderful post about Elora and her green friend! Thanks for stopping by Weekend Cat Blogging.

Paula said...

She's such a pretty cat and so full of character~ So fun that she just loves her froggie.
We have two cats, Boots and Thomas O'Malley, who really don't know they're cats. Shhh, don't them them. They seem to think they're a cross between dogs and people. We let them believe that...

Ed said...

Cool cat, how did you manage the great pic with the frog on her head, too funny

Joanne said...

Our cat somehow manages to lose her favorite little toys. Sometimes I'll search and find them way back behind a piece of furniture, or in a cellar corner. But other times, they're gone forever. Glad Elora holds onto that froggie!

Anonymous said...

What a pretty, sweet-looking kitty. One of my cats is too cool to play. The other loves small foam rubber balls. Each night close to bed time, he romps thru the house chasing his ball and then, as you say, snuggles close to my leg and goes to sleep. What would we do without our pets?

Mary said...

Hi Andrea,

I left a little comment on your December 29 post but forgot to tell you I love your photos. Your kitty is soft and beautiful and I'll say it again...Sophie is wonderful. I've enjoyed my visit.

Mary

Sherri said...

Elora is beautiful and your photos are amazing. Loved the story.

When Beau came to us from the recue people, he had a little alpaca that we simply call "Paca" -- Paca is still his favorite toy and when he's a little under the weather, Paca goes with him into his end table "cave."

Libby's Library said...

That picture of her curled up in the cat bed is just adorable!

pam said...

I love the pictures of Elora and her green buddy!

Janie said...

Awww she is pretty. I have one that looks almost like her. Her name is Sissy... I call her Sissy Cat. My cat loves to play. Thank you for sharing. Too cute. Have a wonderful Sunday with blessings, Janie

Everycat said...

Elora my dear, you and the frog are in it for the whole ride.

A lovely post, beautifully illustrated.

gigi said...

That is really different that she has had that toy 3 years now. That's impressive. Cats are such funny creatures. I think before much longer we will adopt another one for inside. Our 'Mo' will be 8years old on Tuesday the 13th.

Tatersmama said...

Elora is simply gorgeous! And I love that she's so attached to her little froggie mate. :o)

My Wallaby has a little stuffed fish that she carries around constantly... and she won't settle into bed at night without her *fish-face*.

ocmist said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ocmist said...

Elora is a very pretty cat, and I LOVED your blog about her and her little froggy friend. We had a little cat that looked a lot like her for several years, but she was fairly wild.

It's pretty late tonight, but I want to read more about your furry friends as soon as I get the chance... We have a Border Collie as well as our three Corgis, and she is a wonderful, brilliant, energetic pooch, named Sadie.

http://grammyscorgicountry.today.com/ My blogsites http://countrycorgis.blogspot.com/

Have a good day... Linda
PS I'm the one that left the post, then deleted it because I forgot to check the email further comments to me... and now I don't see it... :(

ocmist said...

Had to post again just to be able to check the box... Sorry about this.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

That's amazing that she's had the same toy for so long. Felines seem to go in cycles with toys, food, etc. with their likes and dislikes.

Hilary said...

Gorgeous kitty. I love cats and their loyalty. Not the aloof animals so many make them out to be. Was she named for Elora Gorge, by chance?

Far Side of Fifty said...

Elora obviously loves her frog..tattered or not..she has a friend for life. Wonderful photos of her:)

uought2b.a.dog said...

That is adorable! I love reading your posts. (Maybe I will get better at it on my blog one day! lol)