Category Archives: Grendel

Snooze-a-palooza

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Grendel knows a good thing when he finds it, and a major snooze is always a good thing in his eyes.  I happened upon him crashing big-time in the bedroom today.  Little does he know that we’re in for some major winter temperatures starting this weekend, and we even have a distinct possibility of wintry precipitation.  That’s nothing new in Texas by any stretch of the imagination.  What will be shocking for poor Grendel is that we’re predicted to get the coldest temperatures ’round these parts since… well, the coldest temperatures in years—or so they’re sayin’.  That’s a nice change considering how warm it’s been and how much I love cold weather.  Grendel, on the other hand, prefers to stay warm, hence his tremendous affection for the bed and sleeping under the covers.  Still, it’ll be nice to enjoy some real winter weather compared to the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve had so far.

Grendel sleeping soundly in the cat bed (159_5929)

Gender-bending doppelgängers

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Grendel lying in a box (124_2414)

Feline doppelgängers are not unusual.  Kako has two in our immediate vicinity: Clance and Henko.  Similarly, Larenti has one in the form of Aethon.  Given the ubiquitous nature of domestic cats, rare indeed is the fur person who has no look-alike walking the surface of the planet, and impossible is the consideration that any cat anywhere has never and will never be a mirror image of at least one other cat.

So it was with a bit of humor that I received an e-mail a few days ago from a gentleman named Brian.  He said:

I stumbled across your site, and found it ironic that we both have cats named Grendel, and even more ironic that they looked so similar. Mine is a female (thought about naming it “Grendel’s Mother”, but that was too complicated) and an all-around good kid. Just thought I’d share those photos of my little beast, and let you know you did a bang up job naming him.

Grendel is a gray tabby.  Given the abundant nature of this particular breed of cat, it’s always been safe to assume he has a plethora of doppelgängers, has had an innumerable number throughout history, and will have many more in the future.  But to find one with the same name?  And to find one who is similar in appearance with the same name but who is a female?  I thought that was rather cool.

So of course I checked out the photos Brian sent along with his missive.  And sure enough, his Grendel is quite similar in color and markings to my Grendel, and even her body shape is eerily analogous.  I also noticed in the background and discussion he provided that their personalities are not terribly dissimilar, both being relatively laid-back, easy-going, very affectionate, and outspoken.  These are all traits of the tabby line, I realize, and so I need not be surprised by the multiple likenesses with regards to their personalities.

Brian notes she’s a petite lady, which would make her the opposite of Grendel’s hefty fifteen pounds (seven kilograms).  That discrepancy easily falls under the normal feline gender differences seen most evidently in their sizes.

Head on over and take a look at Grendel’s gender-bending doppelgänger.  Don’t forget to read through Brian’s affectionate talk about her history and their life together.  You can’t possibly come away from it without realizing she’s done a great job softening up a self-proclaimed dog guy by expertly endearing herself to him—something cats are quite good at.

Grendel lying lying on the floor looking directly at the camera (159_5991)

One to look up to

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As the alpha feline in the house, Grendel is a force to be reckoned with, yet he uses his powers for good and treats everyone with compassion and warm friendship—unless they cross the line.  He truly is someone to be looked up to and epitomizes what St. Francis of Sales said: “Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as real strength.”

Looking up at Grendel as he sits facing the window (161_6183)

Shared body heat

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Cats know to put aside their differences when it comes to keeping warm or being safe.  Despite their longstanding rivalry, Loki and Kako understand this concept.  In fact, if one of them calls out in pain, the other will leap into action to help.  This is true with all the cats no matter their relationships with each other.  It’s just how a family of felines responds when circumstances call for it.

Below you see Kako on the pillow with Grendel tucked neatly behind Loki.  As cool weather moves into Texas and temperatures inside the house drop, none of The Kids is so far above their station that they can’t appreciate the additional warmth generated by sharing a bed with someone else, even when the two sharing are mortal enemies like Kako and Loki.

Of course, Grendel has no enemies, so he sleeps with everyone (although Kako generally sees to it that she gets to him first).

Kako, Loki and Grendel curled up together on the love seat (138_3860)

[btw, that black blanket underneath them is an old throw that I let them use as they wish; it’s essentially their blanket, although they do let Daddy use it from time to time when he’s sitting with them]