Merlin is not a kid cat for beginners

[Siwsan]

Madoc, Gryff and Arthur have always been pretty well behaved. It's rare when they display mischievous behaviors.

Merlin is just the opposite. EVERYTHING I try to do, he's right under feet, under my hands, or on my back. If I open a cabinet to get something and don't IMMEDIATELY close the door, he jumps in. When I bend down to clean the litter boxes he jumps up on my back. When the treats come out, all of the other kid cats know the challenge of actually grabbing one because Merlin is like a treat vacuum cleaner and he smacks anyone who gets in his way.

THANKFULLY he's finally moving out of the biting stage. Oh, he still captures a finger but he doesn't bite down. Too hard, anyway.

On the other side, he lets me know when he needs snuggles and his purring is like medicine. He does still, occasionally, suckle on my neck. At 6 months old, that will probably not last much longer. The best is when he gives me unexpected kisses and head bumps. Every morning he's either above my head on the pillow, or sprawled across my head.

I'm so glad my little guy defied the odds of surviving. The weeks of every 2 hour feedings, poop/pee stimulation and sleeping on a puppy pad with Merlin snuggled up against me, just in case he voluntarily made deposits, were well worth it.

And he is the absolute best at making me laugh.

[hlthe2b]

1. Challenging, but I think the "aloof" cats are more difficult--especially for the uninitiated...

And Merlin is anything but that.

[niyad]

2. All of your kidcats are special, but Magickal Merlin seems to be in a class

of his own, the little miracle boy. Thank you for including us in your amazing feline adventures.

[JMCKUSICK]

3. Don't forget the most important part,

He keeps you young!

[House of Roberts]

4. Merlin is the treat vacuum cleaner.

I just had to write that so I'd remember it later.

We have two dogs that are vacuum cleaners, Stop-it Molly and Shut-up Millie.

[pansypoo53219]

5. my cosmo sucked a neck mole almost a year.

[Jean Genie]

6. Simpy the Best!

Siwsan, you are the BEST cat-mommy EVER! Bless you for all you do for the little guys. Merlin is so lucky to have found you - and vice-versa!

[Hope22]

7. 💗💗😁💐

[3catwoman3]

8. One of our 4, our 2yr old male blue point Siamese...

…eats like a dog - so fast I’m not sure he even tastes it. He gets his good on the landing of the basement stairs with the door closed so the other cats have a chance to finish theirs. If he weren’t closed in, he would shoulder everyone else out of the way and empty all their dishes. When we let him out, he always immediately runs to the other 3 bowls to look for any leftover morsels. I’m occasionally tempted

Our 12 yr old female tuxie loves any open door - cupboard, cabinet, lazy Susan, dresser drawer. She has even jumped up into the refrigerator several times. This was particularly amusing one morning when she had to skip breakfast before going under anesthesia for a dental cleaning. It was as if she was saying, “Surely there must be something in here for me!

Purring and laughter are a very therapeutic combination. All 4 of our cats make us laugh every day for a variety of reasons.

[CaptainTruth]

9. It sounds like Merlin loves his mommy & wants to be part of everything you do.

I have one like that, his nickname is "Trip Hazard."

[Music_Swims]

10. LOL

Last edited Tue Mar 25, 2025, 06:02 PM - Edit history (1)

I always look forward to your posts about your kid cats. I have a black cat named Shadow that does a lot of the behaviors you mentioned that Merlin does. She gets into every open cabinet door as well. She gets in the dishwasher if left open and briefly unattended. She always wants to inspect and supervise everything that goes on. Shadow is a rescue that was found underneath a shed at a Sonic Drive In in a busy city. She was a tiny kitten when the local animal control found her. I can't imagine how terrified and traumatized she was. Thank you for what you do to help the cats.

[Nigrum Cattus]

11. The bitey stage is all about trust

After they know that they can "bite" you without you going crazy they
begin trusting. Cats trust = love

[jrandom421]

12. Spike was something else

A few decades ago, Spike was the alpha male Maine coon, he went so crazy for treats, we called him a "treat seeking missile"

[TommieMommy]

13. He sounds so much like my boy. He's with me constantly checking out everything I do. I think of him as a blessing 💙

You are so lucky to have Merlin. Enjoy every moment 💙💙💙

[MIButterfly]

14. I believe your sweet baby Sian knew how hard it would be for you when she had to go

so she sent Magical Merlin to help ease your broken heart. I think she also knew that Merlin desperately needed your love and care to survive.

It's obvious he fills your life with love and joy. How lucky you two are to have each other (and the other kidcats!) and how lucky we are to come along with you on this journey. Thank you for sharing it all with us.

My Martini, who will turn 14 in July, was the same as Merlin up until she was around 10. Open the door, she ran out; open a cupboard, she ran in; open the dryer, in she went. Except for the jumping on the back thing, though, she never did that!

[Siwsan]

15. That's what I believe, too.

He looks so much like her.