Little Ben, our new arrival, just trotted into the kitchen.
What’s up?
We were anxious–hadn’t see him since mid-morning.
It’s a sunny autumn day in the Tarn and the doors have been open to welcome October.
Ben–little Ben?
I looked high and low–no sign.
I turned to come downstairs again and a small figure, stretching and yawning, sidled out of the bedroom. Must have been under our bed.
He arrived last week–word-of-mouth job.
Our friend Flo knew we were on the lookout for a companion for Beau.
A ginger female would be perfect–an echo of dear departed Butterscotch (little Mother).
Flo saw an advert in the organic shop she goes to regularly.
“Household overwhelmed with animals–has to let go delightful found kitten–about five weeks old”.
Meredith rang the number and picked up little Ben–already well named–the next day.
Jet black–and male!
“Stand-off!”
Beau’s nose was quickly out-of-joint.
More–he even seemed afraid of Ben–backing off when the youngster came towards him.
We’d been used to the Little Prince always confronting perceived danger; challenging–cat and dog alike.
Now our boy seemed cowed.
Our plans appeared to be in ruins.
A couple of days later and I’m about to go to bed when two figures streak across the bedroom.
One–Ben–hides behind the hanging bed cover and the other–Beau–crouches, head well forward, ready to pounce.
BREAKTHROUGH!
I watch, enchanted, as the chase continues.
At one point Ben shocks Beau into a four pawed take-off into mid-air, by shooting out from under a chair.
We have lift-off– it seems!
Ben’s size shows us how much Beau has grown.
He’s doing the things Beau used to do but is doing less–like fighting a mat to the death.
He’s keen to see more of the world.
Fascinated by life on the outside!
Too busy checking things out to pose for a portrait.
Beau has a younger “brother” and our time marveling at kitten spectaculars is extended.
Robin Ellis 
You have a lovely feline family, and obviously are an experienced moggy-watcher!! I hope they continue to amuse you and yours and you all have happy lives together!! Just warn them that ‘chooks’ can be a bit vicious!!
Welcome little BEN!! I foresee a lot of mischiff making with both of you in the Ellis Household! FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS. You are adorable! Wow did YOU ever luck out my sweet little kitten!!
There is nothing more fun in the household than a new kitten! What great thing…a brother for Beau! You cannot feel down or depressed when there are frollicking kittens under your feet. It looks like Ben and Beau will be best buds for a very long time.
I’ve had rescue cats for nearly 20 years, but I adopted my first kitten (Gary) three months ago. I haven’t stopped laughing since. How something that tiny can wreak such havoc is beyond me, but what the hell, it’s only furniture.
Ben is very cute, we have a little black cat with a smidgen of white on his chest. I was told that it’s hard to adopt out black cats….sad. Beau will be fine. Our black cat is Charlie (Sheen) LOL Good luck to Ben he’s found a forever home.
How sweet! Isn’t it fun listening to them gallop around the house? My 9 do just that and it sound like a herd of horses above my head sometimes! And it is always the smallest, craziest female leading the pack here.
Ben….I think I’m hopelessly smitten with this adorable kitten.
Ahhh Lovely !!Cats the best there is!Good luck with Ben.
“Ben” must be short for “benediction”– he has blessed your household. Well done!
lovely!
Ben is just the cats whiskers,and Beau will soon be in cahoots with him, and the pair will be running rings round you all, including Pippa Lucian,and your vistor the very beautiful Lily.
Lovely enjoy them Meredith and Robin you are well blessed,cats know when they are happy and show it.
I was thrilled to see the recent photos of Beau, and now to have Beau and Ben is beyond happiness. Thank you for your stories about your wonderful cats–as your readers make clear, there are many of us out here with beloved felines, and it’s enchanting to share their stories. P.S. My favorite kinds of cats are tuxedos & black cats, so I am doubly thrilled!
lovely boys – enjoy them!
He’s very handsome, we have a female black cat. She’s very independent, gone all day I don’t know where.
P.S. Great photo of Ben standing up!
Congrats on the new addition! Looking forward to updates (and photos) of Beau and Ben! 🙂
He is so cute! Every time one of our cats has grown up, I have wanted another kitten as they are so fun to watch – I can just see him attacking the bath mat! But we have three cats and three dogs now so we will have to wait a while for more kitten hijinks! The little critters that become part of our families bring so much joy.
I was reading and scrolling to know what animal you were talking about and oh … a little cat, I should have known.You are such a good writer, what about writing an autobiography, I’m sure you can make it!
The two boys…Beau and Ben …a new story begins…
Isn’t it funny how adult-looking a young cat seems when a baby joins the household?
Cat people are cat people no matter where they live – you can change the names to Valentino (Beau) and Boy-Cat (Ben) and this could be my house!
This is timely…I’m up at 5 am in South Carolina, getting dressed for work and thinking about whether it would be a mistake to add a kitten to our household as a companion for our 2 year old ginger and white female. She’s so playful and we run out of steam playing “peek a boo”…old folks that we are! Cara can be a lovely lap cat, but we’ve always had at least two cats at the same time and I know they have their own special feline bond. I log onto my email and there is your message.
“Just give me a sign, Lord; just give me a sign!”
Two black streaks to play havoc now!
Is that your cockerell I spy through the window in one picture? Is he keeping his hens in order and strutting his stuff – and have you got used to his rallying sounds?
There are 2 cocks and one hen–though Meredith thought she’d bought 3 hens!
What welcome news! I love reading your cat stories – always make me smile. It looks as if Ben is already a real character. I like the idea of Ben being short for ‘benediction’ – very fitting! Beau is definitely slightly wary in the top photo – you can read their body language. I look forward to reading of the exploits of Ben and Beau and to seeing Ben’s little face when he learns to face the camera! There are obviously just too many exciting new things to check out at the moment for him to be bothered with posing!
…I was reminded of a quote from Christopher Smart (1722-1771) writing about his cat in Jubilate Agno;
…”For every house is incompleat without him and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.”
Little Ben seems to have made his mark already.
Awww…so you’ve all got a new buddy! Funny that Beau was afraid of him at first; some of mine did that w/new arrivals, too, but eventually most everyone’s playing “chase” with everyone. (Though Sassy still loathes our 2-yr-old “kitten,” Winnie.) How’s Lucien taking to Ben? If you have one of those fishing pole toys, that often brings everyone together for a positive experience.
Cheers & hugs & pats!
Not sure Lucien realises yet there’s a new presence in the house!
I just read this quote this morning in Julia Child’s memoir, My Life in France. Her friend, Therese Asche, said, “Une maison sans chat, c’est la vie sans soleil (a house without a cat is like life without sunshine)” C’est vrai, n’est-ce pas?
Tout a fait!
I am losing count on how many cats you have indoors and out. What happened to Pippa?
4 indoor–3 outdoor. Pippa is trying to be tolerant and accept the changes as mayhem erupts around her. She is not finding it a catwalk!
Any chance you could get all the indoor ones together for a group photo? 🙂
What a delightful jet black kitten – a brother and a playmate for Beau. Judging from his strong hind legs he’ll grow to be a very substantial and imposing gentleman. He already behaves as if everything and everybody belongs to him. Dear Meredith, please, watch your curtains. Little Ben appears to be an expert to climb up and to slide… down. May I wish you both much joy and happiness with your extended feline family.
May I also take this opportunity, dear Robin, to wish you great success with your first (?) cooking workshop. It starts tomorrow. N’est-ce pas? I wish I was a fly to be able to hang somewhere there on the wall…
Meredith and Robin how true Anne’s comment.I would just like to wish you all the best for the workshop on Thursday not that you will need it you will be great wish I could be there, I will be in spirit if not in body,I am sure it will be hard work, but try and take some time for yourselves and enjoy.
Robin, I am sure that most of us wish we could be there, too! Such a wonderful idea, and how lucky your students are! Maybe one day….
Welcome little Ben! You will have a great and happy life with Robin and Meredith! Good job friends, a cat in the house is always a blessed 😉
Would love to see a full close up of your new little boy- but, as a cat owner, I know it can be near IMPOSSIBLE to get those dang critters to pose! Ben appears to have “fallen into a tub of fresh cream.” What a cozy, happy life he will live. I do predict “trouble” though…if you know what what I mean…..lots of excapades from these two. I can’t wait to read about them! My Lord Calvert recently got into the habit of “helping me dress” in the morning. Meaning he would lay inside a dress or skirt that was ready to put on and as I put it on he would be hanging in the hemline…refusing to let go….as I was trying to get out the door to go to work!! Many ripped clothes ensued…that sort of thing that we cat lovers seem to tolerate! Oh, my!
Aw, what a cutie. We have a new kitten in the household as well, a nine-week old grey boy name Leo (its his birth sign). It’s been a long time since I’ve had a kitten and I’ve forgotten how they squeak up a storm and like to race around and chew wires and such. He’s a little hellion. He bites me and I roll him over to toss him away and he thinks it a game, so he comes back to bite me again. It’s so funny to watch him tumble as he learns to jump and when he’s bouncing around, he reminds me of a bunny rabbit.
Thought of you today when one of my little cherubs had a meltdown….looked at the clock, realized you would all be starting to prepare dinner…and wished I were in France, enjoying the day!! Hope it was a calm, enjoyable dinner!
Thanks, Dianne–it was a great start with a super group. Onwards!
Your kitty stories and photos are wonderful – they make me happy and sad at the same time. I haven’t seen my 2 since June 1st because I’ve been in a nursing home/rehab/hellhole. I’ve spent the summer watching live 24/7 puppy cams – Golden Retrievers and Great Danes who are being brought up to become service dogs. It’s actually created a wonderful community of puppy watchers! There’s a kitten cam as well, but I just CAN’T look at that without crying. Anyway, please keep the stories and pictures coming, when you have time. I promise I’ll smile.