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.)
"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."
LOL!!
Thank you so much for posting these pics. They're amongst the best of your little guys. Good lord, I love Rudy.
Posted by: Monika | June 05, 2010 at 01:13 PM
Haha! Those photos are hilarious! I love your cats.
Posted by: Bobbie | June 05, 2010 at 04:00 PM
I want one! Does she ship to Canada?! :)
Posted by: Summer | June 05, 2010 at 04:00 PM
OMG the hilarity of Winston's disdainful expression while Rudy's high. lol
That is an awesome cat bed. The reader who sent it to you is a good egg! :)
Posted by: Kit | June 05, 2010 at 06:24 PM
Ooo Winston in the banana bed makes me go bananas with love! <3
Posted by: Rebecca | June 06, 2010 at 12:03 PM
I'm gonna go ahead and assume you've seen this, just to be safe:
http://www.regretsy.com/2010/05/15/racks-of-life-nsfw/
NSFW.
Posted by: RGR | June 06, 2010 at 04:10 PM
YAY RUDY!!
Posted by: comrade tacky | June 06, 2010 at 07:06 PM
Thanks for sharing the pics and videos of your kitties! I have a Winston too (he looks a bit like Rudy, though)... but his obsession is sandwiches. One rustle of deli paper and he's there.
Posted by: Whistlebinky | June 06, 2010 at 09:13 PM
best.video.ever.
Posted by: huhwhat | June 07, 2010 at 12:44 AM
This post made me unbelievably happy.
Posted by: Nat | June 07, 2010 at 12:24 PM
I just bought one of her damn beds for my minpin, that's how much I love this post.
Posted by: Nat | June 07, 2010 at 12:28 PM
That picture of Rudy after the video... I just... I can't even tell you how loudly it made me laugh at work. There was snorting and tears, though. Snorting and tears.
Posted by: Joie | June 07, 2010 at 03:50 PM
that is such a cute kitty bed!
Posted by: Lisa | June 07, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Love this post. And I especially love that pic of Winston in the back with Rudy going off on the bed. I'm headed to her etsy store now :)
Posted by: Genevieve | June 11, 2010 at 02:00 AM
It looks as if she is very fond of bananas. I hope she will not eat the bed assuming bananas.
Posted by: Pure Cleanse | June 11, 2010 at 04:49 AM
Winnie is looking especially handsome in these photos.
Posted by: TyTyBaby | June 11, 2010 at 09:15 AM
OMG! Rudy can haz tail flavr?
Luv!
Posted by: Gail | June 11, 2010 at 04:52 PM
I loved this post--what an awesome reader to send Winston a banana bed. Please have Winston and Rudy posts more often!
Posted by: Erin | June 13, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Banana bed is my favorite too as I am too very fond of bananas.
Posted by: Genf20 | June 14, 2010 at 05:31 AM
And where the hell have I been? Way too much awesomeness happening here. Feel manic with delight! But oh, that pic of Rudy's cat-nipped, googly eye...that one's for the books. Heehee! Thanks guys!
Posted by: Marie | June 15, 2010 at 04:36 AM
Re: Winston's jealousy over Rudy's nip experiences
Have you ever tried honeysuckle with Winston? Like catnip, not all kitties react to honeysuckle leaves either, but some kitties that don't react to catnip do react to honeysuckle. Might be worth a try, just to give Winston a taste of kitty E!
Posted by: Th8agirl | June 15, 2010 at 07:29 PM
Oh god....I am laughing so hard...I was eating toast and choked on crumbs. Especially at the one where Winston is looking on during Rudy's acid trip...screen totally got sprayed.
Posted by: Tiffany | June 16, 2010 at 06:24 AM
This made my day! I was giggling like a crazy person in my office at the video, and then lost it when I got to Winston's photo of disapproval. Love it! :) Please keep the kitty postings coming.
Posted by: Pup Fan | June 17, 2010 at 10:14 AM
This ranks second to Winston dressed as ET for Halloween.
Posted by: bevskid1 | June 20, 2010 at 11:23 PM
It's so cute to see rudy playing...awww!
Posted by: heidi | June 22, 2010 at 09:09 PM