Sunday, August 24, 2025

An Old Tradition at Bath-time

It’s been a long time since I’ve had company during my bath. Renn was the last cat to spend time next the tub while I was at my ablutions, and before him, of course, my first cat, Tungsten, would accompany me.


But lately, Imogen has taken to lying on the bathmat while I wash. Not only that, but Valkyrie will come in, her curiosity excited by the strange sight of a great container of hot water, and her human lying in it.


The contrast between the cats’ behaviour is obvious. Imo is there to spend time nonchalantly with me; she considers bath-night to be for both species, and washes herself at the same time as I wash myself.


Valk, on the other hand, is fascinated by the water in the tub, the splashing, the drops, the sounds. For her, it is less a social event than a spectacle. She sits on the closed toilet seat, her eyes wide, her ears up and forward.


However they wish to spend their time with me, I am grateful for the company. I missed having a feline presence during bath-time, even if Miss Silky’s casual occupation of the bathmat makes stepping out of the tub a bit problematic for me…


14 comments:

  1. Tread carefully and do not drip on sweet Imo.

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  2. I wonder if Valk is curious to try a bath herself, or is she incredulous that you would do something so crazy?

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    Replies
    1. Probably the latter - though I wouldn't put the former past her...

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    2. I was wondering the same thing!

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  3. Time for a lighter-coloured bathmat, no?

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  4. GUYZ.... !!!! if dad wood fill that tub with fizh....think oh de fun everee one wood haz ☺☺♥♥

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  5. Perhaps they're working toward their lifeguard certification? :-)

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  6. BIG BIG smile here!!~ SO glad they are starting to gather at bath time. I have help combing my hair and assembling my face. :-) Girl time.

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  7. We had too much attention at bath time. As soon as one of us got in the bath Eric would arrive. He would jump in on top of whoever was there and start kneading. We always kept a small towel close by to protect our skin from sharp claws. When he had enough he would lay down on the towel with paws and tail floating.

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    Replies
    1. Eric! I love that guy - but what a little oddball he was. I can't imagine any of mine enjoying a bath like that.

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  8. None of mine ever cared about my shower or occasional bath time. Though Chumley liked to lick the leftover water near the drain.

    But Eric, as above... My goodness, words fail me! Lol.

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  9. I've had cats who liked to walk the fine line of the tub edges, with sometimes disastrous results. I'm glad yours keep you company without doing so.

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  10. Never alone in the bathroom with cats. :)

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