Whiskers Keen for Winter: Blue Is Ready to Be Outdoors

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

A better title here would be Whiskers Keen for Getting The Heck Out Of The House Because I've Got Cabin Fever, but it doesn't roll off the tongue as nicely.

The Canadian winter has kept us guessing this year. Colossal snowfalls and a few extremely frigid days are randomly smooshed between spring-like weather, just frosty enough to keep our air crisp, the roads and walkways icy, and our parkas at arm's length, only to be used for brisk mornings and our outings to go tobogganing. Oddly enough, we’ve even seen a few heavy rainfalls.

Nature Calls

Humans are not the only ones noticing the rollercoaster of temperatures, either. Blue is not super keen on the outdoors during winter, but she sure perks up when the weather takes a turn for the better. The sunlight pours into our home, giving her plenty of spots to curl up and bask in its warmth. Every fall, my husband and I plan to replace our door sweeps because the chilly air sneaks through the seams of our existing ones. These drafts can be felt throughout the house on particularly cold and windy days, and if the freezing air is getting in, that must mean our heat is escaping as well. My dad's voice rings in my head each time this simple task is put off: “We’re not trying to heat the outdoors!” Classic.

Lately, instead of drowning herself in a pool of sunshine, Blue’s set up shop by the back door, which is a bit breezier than the front. Her nose is strategically placed near the most prominent gap, breathing in the fresh air as if it were her job. Our little Chihuahua has become more eager to go outside for bathroom breaks instead of using the puppy pads we’ve set up for her. The in and out from Subi has not gone unnoticed by Blue. Posing as more of a doorstop than a cat, she plops her body in front of the door as if to say, “If you go out, so do I.” Sadly, since the sidewalk conditions are not ideal for a fluffy white cat who prefers rolling on the cement instead of bounding around like our Chi, she must wait until the slush dissipates. Her fortress of nature must be dry before she can head out on outdoor excursions.

The Jealousy is Real

I wouldn’t say that our two pets are besties, but they get along for the most part. Recently, I’ve noticed some friction between the two. Blue potentially has some jealousy brewing since she's forced to wait on the other side of the door while Subi gets to frolic about the soupy yard.

If cats had side eyes, which I'm almost convinced they do, Blue has them working overtime every time Subi nears our cuddle puddle on the couch. It is as if Blue is subtly informing the world that because Subi gets to go outside, she will not share her human time, like an unspoken hostile stand-off. Subi gets too close and Blue reminds her about their agreement with an arsenal of cat-smacks. I have dubbed myself the referee and always make sure the sass between the two is short-lived. We are not mean girls in this house, little lady.

However, if Blue were a character from Mean Girls based on her attitude lately, she’d be Karen Smith in all facets of the name and the movie persona. Aside from her saucy nature directed at poor Subi, she truly does resemble Miss Smith. “There is a 30% chance that it is already raining” is her mood, except instead of rain, it’s sun. And she wants it as straight up as it comes, from the comfort of her own backyard and directly on her face. What differentiates her from the iconic character is that Blue’s “ESPN” comes from her whiskers. She must have been a weatherwoman in a past life.

Blue Finds Comfort Elsewhere

I suppose the silver lining is that Blue has become even more of a shadow than usual. I think we’ve had more bonding sessions over the past few weeks than ever before. Although she cannot tell me physically, I know she enjoys our one-on-one cuddles as much as I do. I can empathize with her desire to go outside, always being met with a not today, baby girl, but I hope she understands that her day in the sun is just around the corner, and until that day comes, an embrace from yours truly is always available.