It's always about bananas, isn't it?

Just in time for his sixth birthday, Winston received a present from reader Rachael M.: the bed you see him lying in above that we call his banana bed, but that he'd probably call his banana hammock. Given his love of bananas, I thought this was a particularly thoughtful gift. You know people are really paying attention when they're paying attention to your cat's taste.

 

I was a little worried when Rachael told me she'd be sending this -- Winston typically doesn't like to be surrounded by fabric, especially in the humid summer months. I think part of the reason he hangs out in a bowl is that it feels cool on his fur (with a wiry layer on top, and a dense one immediately against his skin, he's essentially wearing two coats). I also like to tell myself this is why he avoids physical contact with me (I have to cope somehow). But for whatever reason (the bananas, obviously), he is super into this bed. It could be, as Rachael suggests, because it was made with love. It could also be the competition factor. See, Rudy immediately took to it:

 

He loves it so much, he shaped it into a heart!

He loves it so much, he uses it as his venue for a complete and utter freak out:

I never, ever thought that a cat bed could provide such entertainment. That video above is a straight-up advertisement. Rachael packed a few catnip toys in a plastic bag with the bed, Rudy detected them and had a completely cosmic experience with the bed. It was like dropping E with some random stranger at a club in the early '90s. They just connected. (Note that catnip has never had any effect on Winston, except jealousy over Rudy getting to have something that he doesn't.)

 

They fight over this thing!

But Winston's his oafish stubbornness/complete disregard for anyone else tends to win out:

 

 

Above all else, I'm glad the banana bed gave me the opportunity to take this shot:

 

That's the best gift I could have received and this wasn't even for me. Everyone wins!

(In case you missed the link above, Rachael's Etsy store is here. Believe me, I wouldn't be shilling for her if her bed hadn't become a major event in the apartment. But damn it, that cat bed has brought us so much joy, I have to at least provide the opportunity for the same to happen to you.)

Comments

[Annegret]

That bed's made of pure awesome!

[Incorrigible]

Oh my bloody God. I am a (relatively) sensible 28 year old, and every damn time, Winston reduces me to a ball of flailing, squeaking ridiculousness. This is positively the cutest thing that ever did cute. Until the next time you post, obviously. I never thought I could feel so much affection for a cat I have never even met. I love you guys.

[jordanbaker]

The picture Winston disapproving of Rudy having fun in the banana bed just made my morning.

Except now I have "Get in da bed, de ba-NA-NA bed" to the tune of the old Banana Boat commercials stuck in my head.

[jordanbaker]

Of. The picture of Winston disapproving.

[Nicole]

Amazing pictures and amazing cats.
Everything about this post is perfection.

[Laynie]

OMG, this is the most perfect gift EVER in the history of perfect gifts!!! Watching the video had me giggling madly, I could tell he was tripping on the 'nip. Rudy is such a glorious little furball...

You, sir, have the most fabulous kitties I think I've ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!

[OnTheLoveWall]

HOLY ADORABLENESS. Please keep posting pictures to Winston's Twitter. I have the same sentiment as Incorrigible. So much love for these absurdly wonderful cats.

[J.P.]

This post makes me so f-ing happy! :) Thank you.

[Joy]

Wow, that bed is made of love and pure win! Amazing! Tis post made my week. :)

[the Constantly Dramatic One]

That disapproving pic slays me.

We can totally give the LOLcat treatment with that one.

[Nevin]

Rudy is ROLLLLLLLLIN' in that first pic!

[CP]

If Rudy and Winston are anything like my cats even tho the bed is small they're both squeeze into it together just so one cat doesn't get the upper hand.

[Vanessa M]

I was gonna say look how pissed Winston looks at Rudy lying in his bed, mid-roll. But does Winston ever not look pissed?

Why am I also not surprised catnip doesn't work on him?

I'm desperately trying to read the names of your DVD's.

[Lovisa]

Apparantly only about 2/3 of all cats are susceptible to catnip.
I'm not surprised that Winston is one of the immune ones :P

[sairentohiru]

I.

Am.

DYING.

This post made my day. I just want to grab Rudy and Winston and press their furry heads to my bosom and squeal in delight. This would not make them happy, but me? It would make my LIFE.

[Suzie]

That screenshot with Winston in the background as Rudy is in ecstasy is awesome. Just look st Rudy's face; priceless!

That bed is awesome though, looks very snug

[Rachael M.]

Oh. My.

I hoped it would be loved. But this? This is beyond awesome. Thank you. And I was totally not kidding about the love - it's there. Enjoy, enjoy! You're amazing. I love those kitties so much.

[Grace Robbins]

This is perfect photojournalism. I hate bananas but this could change all that.

[Christina]

That's so sweet!! They both love it, how nice

[Sonia]

OnTheLoveWall says Winston have a twitter. I MUST FOLLOW....where's the link to it?

[Heather H]

Well done, Rachael!

[Advanced Colon Max]

Interesting but funny as well!! It looks as if it is their favorite bed.

[Fiona]

I always love the combination of Rudy's sleek beauty and Winston's more unconventional looks.

[Dina]

I agree that the best picture is disapproving Winston. Rudy looks half in the tank and you can almost hear the "tsktsktsk" coming from Winston.

[name]

I was slowly scrolling down, reading about Rudy's ecstasy with the bananabed/catnip; I only saw winston as I was reading that part.
The second I reached that crazy picture of Rudy with Winston staring on I burst out laughing - That was SO unexpected. Holy cow that may be the best/craziest image I've seen on this site.