Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Tragic Tale Of Tonks And The Too-Small Box

For as long as I can remember, Lily's "spot" has always been an old Priority Mail box on my desk:

It was just the right size for her, easy to replace when it got grungy, and I could move it around the house with me to keep her out of my hair while I was crafting.

Lily is a small cat - just under 9 pounds. Her sister Tonks, on the other hand, is twice that at 16 pounds, and had no chance of fitting in Lily's box.

This is a clear case of "square hole, round giant blobby cat."

Tonks has worshipped Lily since she was a kitten, though, and so dutifully follows Lily - and her box - where ever they go.





Then one day I witnessed the impossible: TONKS GOT IN LILY'S BOX.


I think you need the overhead view to fully appreciate this feat:



I can only imagine this was the culmination of Tonks' entire life's ambition, right there.

Ah, but I said this was a tragic tale, remember?

Well, the box was always an eyesore, so the other week I finally got Lily an upgrade:

I think she approves.

And it matches her eyes.

Of course, this box is even smaller than the old Priority Mail one.

The same day I made the swap, I looked over from my keyboard and saw this:

 

 Tonks was just sitting there. Staring.

Now, I'm pretty shameless when it comes to playing favorites, since Lily is clearly the superior cat in every way, but even I felt my heart crack a little.

So I got Tonks a towel and a crinkly plastic bag:

But it wasn't the same.

Then I let her try on the tiny Stay Puft hat a reader just made me:

But I'm pretty sure she did NOT approve.

What?

Anyway, in the end I think Tonks has made peace with the situation.
 

...because even when I tried putting a big box on the floor for her, Tonks preferred staying next to Lily.

It's a love story for the ages. 

Or maybe more of stalker story, but they're cats, so whatever.

And I think we're all good.

Right, Tonks?

Uh. Tonks?

[backs away slowly]

*****

P.S.

Now one more of DAT FACE:

It's OK. You can love Lily more. AS YOU SHOULD. ;)


67 comments:

  1. Tonks and Lilly. I love HP references!

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  2. My sister does the same thing with the cat that insists on being on her desk while she is working. Only one though; the other does not feel the need to jump onto the desk.

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  3. Before I say anything else - LOVE the Kermit with the banjo :)

    So - cats - I have one big blobby cat (older boy) and a smaller female, too. They are super buds and are always curled up together.

    The sad part is that he is getting old & blind, and I fear he's not going to be around much longer. I hope she doesn't get too sad when that sad day comes.

    Sorry to be a downer - couldn't help but think of my goofy kitties :)

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    1. We have a pair of 2-year old brothers and I am terrified at the thought of something happening to one of them. They are SO bonded and together all the time. We will probably end up getting a 3rd kitty in another two or three years so that if one of our boys goes significantly before the other, they at least won't be all alone.

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    2. Glad I'm not the only one that loved the Kermit and banjo!
      Just lost one of two brothers that are 17+ 2 weeks ago . . . the good news is the other one doesn't miss his brother at all. The bad news is, the humans are very very sad. But seeing this post made me grin, which has been hard to come by recently. Thank you for the cat-ness!

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  4. Awhh...glad the story has a happy ending.

    I've got a new cat, Kota. She's looks a lot like Tonks, but with more white on her check, belly and halfway up her paws. She's about five years old and twice a rescue (rescued as a kitten, adopted out but surrendered back to the same rescue group when the owner developed medical problems and then I adopted her). She's a very sweet girl but very aware of territory.
    Doc, my 13 year old male tuxedo outlived his brother and then another cat I took in when some friends needed to thin their herd (dog, two cats, two kids under three in a small two bedroom duplex). Doc's a very social cat and loves to snuggle with other cats (and sometimes me...but usually not in the summer because it's stupid hot in Texas).
    So Doc has accepted Kota as his friends and wants to snuggle with her and is even willing to share his spots with her. But Kota's not quite there yet. Doc has a towel on the bathroom counter where he often sleeps. Kota will not even step on it. She also chased him out of "her" spot on the coffee table last weekend. Doc seemed very confused. But he has persisted and I even caught Kota letting him groom her a bit the other night and they seem to have bonded over hunting a poor little gecko who wandered into the house a few days ago (*spoiler alert* it didn't end well for the gecko). So I remain hopeful that these two crazy cats can work things out and be friends.

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  5. I've always been much bigger--taller, broader and chubbier--than my friends and sisters, so I feel Tonks' pain! She can't help her chunk <3

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  6. If I ever start a bowling team, our name will now be the Blobby Cats.

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  7. This is clearly a tragic case of a #dcb (defective cat box). Poor Tonks, its not easy being blobby. Btw, Lilly is simply stunning, those eyes!

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  8. Aww, poor Tonks! (she said in between giggles)
    And I have to agree that Lily is the more stunning of the two. But my cat is still the prettiest of all. Not that I'm biased or anything. ;)

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  9. I have a mother and daughter, given to me by my cat lady niece in different yrs. both are box crazy. and oddly huge lickers of plastic bags.
    I lurve one more, cannot deny, yet I bring home boxes from the grocery stor for BOTH of them!lol side by side I set them and life is good until favoured kitty shreds them both and time to get new ones- boxes, not cats. snort

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  10. You guys need to build a cat tower to sit on that spot, then put one box on top of the other so they could sit together. Or, a 'step' version, where Tonks box is above to the side so she can look down on her sister, much like she does while sitting beside her. Tonks, however, deserves her own special 'Tonks-sized' box. A cat deprived of a box will only last so long before they go insane and literally try to cram themselves into ANY SIZE box or BAG... lol It's pretty damned hilarious to watch, but still. My older cat was my baby, and so he always got dibs on the boxes. The younger cat would try to steal them, or climb in and lay on top of him in side the box( which never ended well), and then one day while I was working on doing up some parcels to send out, he climbed into EVERY SINGLE BOX, none of which were much bigger than his HEAD. He managed to flatten one completely, get another one stuck on his backside, and one that he had to back out of... half way across the room before I managed to stop laughing enough to pull the box off of him. After that, he jumped into a reusable cloth gift bag and just looked at me as if daring me to dump him out. Through it all, my older cat just lay curled up content in his box with just the occasional peek out to see what I was laughing over.

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    1. Yes perhaps two boxes side by side would make everyone happy, hmmm? (though who knows with cats really)

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    2. Yes, I agree. The reason Tonks didn't like the bigger box was because it was *on the floor*. Hmmmph. Mom, don't you know I want to be right next to my sister? In a box that is just big enough for me?

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    3. Have a dose of "Simon's Cat" in "The Box":

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKvNqe8cKU4

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  11. We have an 18 lb cat named Bumble, because that's what he does. Zero feline grace in that animal. Bumble has yet to meet a box he can't get into, even if it's just his feet and the rest of his hulk is resting on the sides. Maybe he could offer Tonks some pointers?

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  12. Well I'm glad you like Lily, because she gives me the creeps. Team Tonks! :-D

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  13. Our Siamese was around 17 pounds, so I'm also on Team Tonks!

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  14. I'm glad I'm not the only one with a clear cat favorite. I love our Dumbledore so much more than our Lily-cat. Hooray for HP references. :) He's our smaller boy too, with blue eyes, and is so much nicer/prettier than our Lily. Though Lily wins in softness. :)

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  15. I have 2 Bengal brothers, Temple and Jones (an accidental Indiana reference - Jones is after Ripley's cat, my then-10-year-old named Temple) One is 9 pounds, the other is 15! So I know all about disproportionate box sitting! I haven't a favourite, though. Jones is huge, charming, affectionate, dog-like, gluttonous and everyone ELSE'S fave. Temple is tiny and shy but oh-so cuddly when he trusts you and I am his people. They're like chalk and cheese which I love.

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  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. I always read and never comment, but it simply must be said: Lily has the Universe in her eyes. I can't get enough of them!

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  18. They are fantastic! I love Lily's new box, and I think the towel and plastic bag are definitely an acceptable adjacent pad for Tonks. I'm sure it's soft and crinkly - just like they like it. :-D

    I have an orange brother/sister pair - Fred and George (for obvious reasons) - and George (the girl) is WAY bigger, and far less agile or able "to fits", than her brother. It makes for many hours of amusement - for me. :-D

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  19. If Phoebe Buffay read this post, this would be her new song:

    Blobby cat, blobby cat where are they putting you?
    Blobby cat, blobby cat it's not your fault...

    They won't give you a big box.
    You're obviously not their favorite, shocked?
    You do not want a bed of roses,
    And you're no friend to Puft's head clothe-es.

    Blobby cat, blobby cat where are they putting you?
    Blobby cat, blobby cat it's not your fault!

    -Just Andrea



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  20. I love both your cats. Lily, of course, is insanely beautiful. But I have a very dear 20-pound cat, who has been with me for 16 years, so I find myself quite partial to the blobby cats. And I think all cats have a thing for boxes.

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    1. Not just beautiful but "insanely" beautiful. Whatever that mean.

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  21. Nothing to do with the post, but I had to bop over and see if you've seen these...they've got a one-week release:

    https://www.disneystore.com/tees-tops-shirts-clothes-figment-and-dreamfinder-tee-for-adults-epcot-limited-release/mp/1414292/1000228/

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  22. My cats love boxes - the smaller, the better. It's hilarious watching them try to squeeze into a too-small box! I definitely see a lot of "If I don't fits, I wedge my face in anyway and make it work!"

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  23. You know people are just going to start mailing Tonks boxes now, right? ; )

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  24. I don't remember really seeing Tonks' eyes before. Tell her they are gorgeous! As are Lily's, of course, but we all knew that. lol

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  25. Aw, poor Tonks. Looks like it is time for John (thoj) to make a customized set of boxes for Lily and Tonks to share. One small one for Lily and one a wee bit bigger (ok, a whole lot bigger) for Tonks! Thanks for the pics!

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  26. i used to have a beautiful cat called tiger.. (i was 8, im allowed unoriginal names) and he used to fit himself in any box he could, even if not all of him could fit. When i first got him and his sister i used to tuck them up in a dolls bed, and they would both sleep there. As he got older, he would still enjoy sleeping in the dolls bed, but only his head and shoulders could fit, the rest would hang over the side, and yet, he would sleep there often. Silly kitty.

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  27. You know that Tonks is my favorite, and I really think you should put her big box up next to Lily's little box. Plus, we need more Tonks pictures!

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  28. I like Tonk's nose marking!

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  29. Lilly has stunning eyes, but I'm going to love Tonks from afar. Just because somebody should. And because she has green eyes like me. And I'm not allowed to have cats at my apartment. So hugs, cream, and sweet whispers to Tonks.

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    1. It's actually really sad to me that someone proudly proclaims they have a favorite cat? I mean, imagining that the cat doesn't worship Satan in its free time or anything ... seems kinda sad. :( I hope someone is giving Tonks some extra love, she seems like a sweetie. <3

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    2. Tonks is jon's cat. It's a joke. :)

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    3. One of the many benefits of having animals and not children is that we can pick favorites. Trust me, Tonks gets so much love she doesn't care either way. ;) (Not to mention she loves Lily so much more than either of us, I think she's probably more Lily's cat.)

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    4. I just naturally sympathize with the "blobby" critters, being one myself! ;) It sounds like Tonks has quite a fandom online, lucky kitty!

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  30. Clearly Tons just needs a LARGE priority box.

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  31. Jen, you need to get Tonks a matching, bigger, box that you can put next to Lilly's one... You'll have two happy cats that way.

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  32. My 14 lb. cat has chosen the cardboard from a flat of water bottles as her current favorite box. The edges are the perfect height for resting her chin on and it's a good size for her and all of her fluff.

    I'm glad to here that your cats keep you company while you craft. Keeps life interesting. :)

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  33. Our "big" cat is 8.5 lbs; his sister (also Lily, named after Lily Charles from Pushing Daisies, being a feisty one-eyed cat) is mayyybe 7 lbs. She eats more that he does. Her thyroid is fine. She's just an itty bitty kitty. She has 25% vision in her eye, he is blind. I'm always a bit in awe of normal-sized cats with eyes after living with my two wierdos for 5 years. . .

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  34. As beautiful as Lily and her eyes are, I have always wanted to snuggle Tonks way more.

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  35. I'm jealous of your kitties being friends and getting along. I got two small girls, and they fight constantly. Although I think most of it is for show. If we have to lock them in the basement for allergic guests or home improvement, they manage to not fight. but the minute we go down there to check on them, suddenly the fights break out. The pinnacle moments are the rare occasions where I have caught them sharing the same chair, ALMOST touching. almost. Once I even managed to have two cats on my lap at the same time. Mostly because the older one was so fast asleep she didn't notice the younger sneaking onto my lap for snuggles. As soon as the older woke up, realized she wasn't alone, she hissed and ran off in a snit. Cats!

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    1. Believe me, these two have regulart snits as well; mostly because Lily doesn't appreciate being followed and/or licked all the time. They definitely get along best when Lily's asleep. :D

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  36. ~lol~ my cat has a box in every window in the house and TWO in the big window in the living room. He is 20 pounds and he crams his way into these boxes like he was meant to fit there. The positions look so uncomfortable and yet day after day that is where you will find him. I never have the heart to throw the boxes away though I admit to switching them out when he is not looking.

    PS TONKS all the way!! TEAM TONKS TEAM TONKS!

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  37. Tonks just needs a TARDIS box.

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  38. I love stories about the friendship between Tonks and Lily! My family pets have always tolerated each other, sometimes play together for a few minutes if they're both in the right mood, but none of them have ever seemed to have a close relationship the way your two beauties do. They're so sweet! ^_^

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  39. I'm happy to see that Lily looks to be doing better than she was last time I remember an update! No onesie, anyway. The photo of Tonks in the box looks rather like the daily scene around here for the past couple of weeks, although in our case it is the small cat--just an even smaller box. She seems happy, though, so. . .

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  40. Tonks has good taste to want to copy Lily and use her box. And yes, the new box does make Lily's blue eyes even bluer. But any chance of getting Tonks her own box? Of make them double decker boxes? My 2 Maine Coons only get snotty at each other when one is on the wrong lap. This is the only thin they will not share - my lap is Sprite's alone and my sister's lap is Reilly's universe. Otherwise we insist on loving both felines the same.

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  41. For those in the above comments worried about Tonks, I am positive that she gets tons of love and affection from both Jen and John, but especially from John since she is mostly his. Lily is mostly Jen's, so it's not surprising that Lily is Jen's favorite. Jen really plays up Lily's superiority because it's funny and probably because it makes John roll his eyes. (John should write a guest post about Tonks's superiority!!)

    I think the solution is giving the sisters bunk boxes on Jen's desk. Stack those cats, and keep your valuable desk real estate! Although, if Tonks always has to be able to see Lily, then I guess that might not work out.

    I'm on Team Tonks, too. Lily is beautiful, no doubt, but she's just too damn sweet and delicate and cuddly and floppy. Tonks actually has bones. And that nose! ARGH! I LOVE that nose.

    And, Jen, from a person who hates tags and has issues, please cut the tag out of Lily's new box or just tell me you did so I can stop twitching over here.

    Love you all equally,
    KW

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  42. Poor Tonks!! I'm always for the underdog...or undercat in this case. Is it possible, the next time I shop at amazon to feed your cats, you only feed Tonks with my donation? No? Just kidding...I know you love them both. We've had some pretty strange cats in our family...we had one with 6 toes on each foot that sucked its thumb. And one night my daughter was dreaming about hamsters, and woke up to find a newborn kitten in her hand...the mommy cat had chosen to give birth on my daughter during the night.
    Cats do have personality, although I'm more of a dog person...don't hate me.

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  43. This post makes me a little sad for Tonks, but then again, maybe she only likes the box because it's Lily's. I agree with others saying she may want her own on the desk, too...or else she doesn't mind just sitting next to the "good" box :)

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  44. This made me really sad… I HATE cats, but Tonks: you are now my most favorite cat ever. Don't let haters get you down, you are worth JUST as much as Lily. ;)

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  45. We also have larger cats who want to fit in the box of their smaller siblings. What I love watching, and Tonks did the same thing, is the way they turn around. It's almost like they're saying "If I move a little I'll fit, a little more, a little more, a little more, screw it I'm going in".

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  46. I so understand! We have a fat cat and a bitch cat. By that I mean we have a fat (not so bright) cat and another cat that enjoys being evil and mean. She used to walk around the fat cat showing off how skinny and pretty she was and making sure the fat cat knew that she could slink all over the place even under my daughters bedroom door. Then one day we got new neighbors who own a cat hating dog! So bitchy cat does not go out side anymore and she has gained weight and she still tries to show off her slinky skinniness but alas she is unable to! LOL payback! I do wish my 2 cats got along like yours. Both are pretty!

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  47. You guys should make them kitty bunkbeds with Griffyndor and Hufflepuff bedding. :D ~TAL

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  48. IM IN LOVE IM IN LOVE AND I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS IT. But for real, well written cat stories are my crack, and in in love with tanks.

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  49. If you don't have room on your desk for the small box AND a larger box, and it isn't some gazillion-dollar antique desk, I propose you instal shelves on an arm so they float beside/above the desk. I made a fold-away TV shelf (it was over the bed when extended) using 2" steel pipe and fittings. It all thteads together easily and can be twisted to get the exact angle you want, & there are flanges to bolt the ends to the desk & shelf. Easy peasy. You could paint it to look brass... verrry steampunk!

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  50. Feel free to visite my blog http://hyperbole-andahalf.blogspot.com/

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  51. My Maine Coon kitty has several boxes strewn about the house. Her favorite is right in front of the large screen door so she can watch for evil birdies and squirrels outside. My mom picks her up new ones from BJ's a few times a year. She loves them!

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  52. A year ago an adorable abandoned cat adopted us. She is a weird cat- won't get into boxes or bags, gets angry at catnip, won't scratch cardboard or a post, won't chase a laser pointer, won't sit on a lap, is about an inch off trying to smell/find treats LOL... Hopefully she'll learn to "cat" eventually.

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  53. I love your cat stories! Two cats is the way to go. I just lost my two cats of almost 18 years within three months of each other, and it was really hard. I even had a favourite (and I don't mind saying it), but both were loved and treated well. Both your cats are gorgeous!

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