Purrs

Time for bed.

this is MY house

 

He is already comfortable at Pete's house and acts like he owns the house. Here we see Milo taking over the bed and making himself a little cave. Funny kitty!

A "Cat's Years" Calculator

According to this:

cat years calculator

Milo is 40.8 years old and will be 42 human years by 10/15/2012

Smiley

Moments like these make me smile, too.

While I Was Working...

Milo sleeps.

 

...and this is why he wakes me up at 4 a.m. every morning.

Sleep Is Nothin' But A Dream

The 4am wake-up call.

Milo seems to think we are all nocturnal creatures. He doesn't need to get up in the morning for work. He gets up 2 hours early just to make sure we have time to play. As I get closer to getting out the door for work, I see my furry little friend curled up so innocently. I give him an embraced kiss; softly inhaling the little patch of fluff on top of his forehead. His clean scent is that of a baby would be to his biological mother.

I whisper into his massive ear-cup, "see you later, lil' stinker."

The Aspiring Gymnastic Cat

Silliest, clumsiest and the most well intended cat I have ever met in my life.  The number of poses Milo makes is pretty ridiculous and creative in form.  I'm not sure what he's trying to accomplish here but he is very serious and detail-oriented with his movements.

His laser eyes are only a result from the camera I used.  I assure you that he is not an alien and is not violent.  He makes me laugh with natural behavior.  I am endlessly entertained by his character and personality.  Have you met a Devon Rex before?  If you have had the pleasure of meeting one or live with one, it is an amazing experience.

Sunshine Napper

In special moments like this, he is a little less hyper than usual. I watch Milo, who undoubtedly resembles an angel or mythical fairy---sleeping under the halo of the sunlight.

I assure you that he is no angel, but cute and soft as a pillow; a cat-pillow that rolls and purrs so sweetly on lazy morning naps.

L.O.V.E.

It's a beautiful thing when it is unnecessary to teach another being to love you back.  He or she automatically does.  In this case, Milo, loves without training, schooling or command.  All he does is shimmy himself in between two people and like a pillow; a pillow of L.O.V.E.---he is with arms open wide.  I'm so happy he is now in Ukranian Village with 3 friends to interact with on a daily basis.

Miro Is My Homeboy

This is my buddy.  He is always waiting---loyal, loving, and persistent.  He makes me laugh, smile and sometimes frown.  I cannot wait until tomorrow as he will move from La Villita to Ukranian Village!

Eleazar Brearley said something that made me smile today, too.  He said, "His paws are like human hands!  And he does look a little like Yoda.  At least his ears and his eyes do."  And indeed, I agree with the fact that my cat has many human qualities.  I can't wait to finally have a home for him where 90% of the time, he will have someone to "yap" back to and have plenty of time to observe quietly; entertained by the company of similar human friends.

Monsti

big eyes + big ears = big heart
This is how I see my little monsti.

Sock Hugger

Milo has a very strange obsession with feet, socks, armpits, and pockets.  Sometimes I catch him sniffing other people like a puppy or dog would.  Milo certainly loves the company of others; feet and or Pete.  Milo looks so happy when he hugs Pete's foot!

Here is one of my favorite photos, which Pete took---Milo is clinging on and gives us his winning "pudding-face"!  A great photo for giggles anytime of the day.  I love it!

A Well Spent Day Brings Happy Sleep

"A well spent day brings happy sleep." (Leonardo Da Vinci)

Lil' Monkey Whiskers

Close-up of Milo taking a nap on his monkey towel.

My cat definitely has a weird neck but I took this photo because this is his favorite place for loving and rubbing.  Milo loves to get a little pet scrub behind his ears and by his cheeks.  He has very little hair around these parts but it's very warm and comforting.  As much as I love his lamb-soft fur, the bald spots are not as intimidating as they appear.  I have to admit, cats are the best companions when they are friendly---and he is definitely very social with a big fun-loving personality.

Knapsack Kitty

Enjoying simple time with Milo.

Ear Cleaning Keeps the Doctor Away

Ear cleaning and its maintenance is something I struggle with for myself but for the Devon Rex, it's one of the important things to keep your baby happy and healthy.  They also have a tendency to have hip problems due to their exquisite muscle capabilities, which works contrary to their often fragile hip bone.  I have always had to go to the ear doctor as a child, or ask either my mother or older sister help me clear up my ear canals.  Milo's ears are massive.  They need a cleaning at least once a week.  It's the one routine he still dislikes but it does benefit him tremendously in the end.

Here is a picture of Milo after his ear cleaning.  Despite the fact that he squirms and tries to get out of it.  He still returns a huge smile in the end.  I enjoy my days off, when I can spend time with my favorite dude.  Catnaps and ear check-ups are always priority but there's always wiggle room to play, too.

    

Catnaps

"Happy is the home with at least one cat." (Italian Proverb)

One is good but sometimes I wish I had two.  Just because, Milo prefers the company of other living beings and is not into his toys unless he is with friends or family.  It is so easy to be with one that loves to be cuddled, cradled, and embraced.  Life is so simple; you love someone who loves you back.

Armpits, feet, shoulders, neck and body---it is comedy to see him like a tetris piece onto any part of your body, allowing for a hug.  He is so soft and pillow-like, yet at the same time, he is real.  Constantly moving, curious, and wide-eyed.  What makes me laugh the most is when I wake up and I see him reclined in an invisible armchair as if he were reading a newspaper or when his mannerism imitates human behavior.  It creates a silly picture, in my mind, that he has a set of eyeglasses, shirt, pants, and some mini shoes, too.

Pre-Stripes & Pre-Curls

Before I knew he would be striped and grow soft curls.

I believe Milo is about 8 weeks old here..

The first day we met he was not shy coming out of this wicker basket carrier.  The breeder met up with me at a vintage store in St. Josephs as I was not allowed at the actual breeder's site.  When we started our roadtrip, he didn't want to be in the carrier and mee-lowed for me to hold him; so I took him out and let him curl up in my sweatshirt pocket.  He looked quietly at me for a long time and eventually he fell asleep until we reached the slow traffic in Chicago.  He was observant when awake and pretty well-behaved but only because he was so curious about everything.  He had no curls nor sign of stripes at this point and resembled a weird piece of raw chicken.  It was strange at first, but not gross.  He already had a lot of personality from day one.

Milo's Family

Growing Ears

Milo was probably about 6 months in this photo.

Miro

At some point, I could not help but notice Milo's eyes.  They grew huge in comparison to his small triangular head and rabbit-dog like ears.  His ears resembled some kind of rotating cat satellite dish. 

Can you figure out which one is my lil' buddy?  These were the photos I got a couple weeks after he was born from the breeder.  There really was nothing to base my judgement but I have to admit, I knew right away---like love at first sight. 

Hint: He's the one with the biggest smile in the left photograph and the most focused look in the photo to the right.

Wikipedia Excerpt on the Personality of a Devon Rex

The typical Devon is active, mischievous, playful, and very people-oriented.  They have been described as a cross between a cat, a dog and a monkey (or, more famously, as "a monkey in a cat suit").  They are high-jumpers and will try to occupy any space large enough to admit them.  With this trait, they are often found in odd nooks and crannies of a closet, shelf, or laundry basket.  Devons prefer to be in high places and will go to great lengths to get to the highest spot in a room.  They are relatively easy to take care of.  Most Devons also have one central person to whom they devote their love, and on whom they will most often lie and rub.  They like to playfully nip, and love to play throughout their lives.

They are a very intelligent breed; the typical Devon Rex can be trained to walk on a leash, fetch or perform all manner of tricks usually associated with canines, like jump, heel and tag to name a few.  Another common trait is their show of affection: they have a particular penchant for being close to the head or neck of their human companions and can often be found mounted upon ones shoulder or nestled into the cranny created by the neck and shoulder when one is prone.  The Devon Rex is a faithful companion and will usually follow the object of their affection from room to room, waiting for the opportunity to leap onto their arms, lap, or shoulder.

Devon Rex cats tend to be a more social breed.

Milo loves company!

• Here is rare footage of him as he normally prefers to be cradled like a baby. 
• The song we are listening to is called "Natural High".
• He is a little distracted in this episode as he is fixed on a fly and is planning a game of chase.

The Story of Milo of Croton

Research Notes:

Milo of Croton was a mythological wrestler with several ancient Olympic titles under his belt.  He is most widely known for his incredible feats of strength.  Milo once carried a 4-year-old bull around the Greek Colosseum and then later slaughtered, roasted and devoured it in one day.  Milo began to carry this bull when it was just a calf.  This is where the story relates to athletes.  Everyone has to start somewhere and they must continue to work hard to progress.  Milo had to start somewhere small and he continually worked every day, walking around with a calf on his shoulders.  Eventually, he is carrying a large bull on his shoulders in the Olympics.

Anecdotes about Milo's almost superhuman strength and lifestyle abound.  His daily diet allegedly consisted of 20 lb of meat, 20 lb of bread, and eighteen pints of wine. 

A Blog About My Cat, Miro

Lonesome George, Iconic Giant Pinta Galapagos Tortoise (picture from The Christian Science Monitor)

I have taken so many photos and a couple of random videos of my cat and he looks nothing like this turtle.  My cat is definitely one of a kind; Devonshire Rex (a.k.a. Devon Rex).  Now it's time to add some words about my furry lamb-cat-dog-monkey-human-alien little stinker.  I named him Milo, after the Australian chocolate sports drink and some Greek (athlete) God, but he is neither of these things and always mispronounced as my-low.  So I changed it slightly to my favorite artist Miro (Joan Miró).

His fur is like a lamb, only softer.  The color of his curly cotton like locks are not chocolate, but "buff"cream colored with stripes and a warm bow of gradient sun-kissed shades.  I picked him up at a cat breeder in St. Joseph, Ill., and he has always been a very social cat from the first day we met.  He is by far, the best companion pet I ever had.  I picked him up in the winter of 2006 when he was only 8 weeks old.  He looked like a creature resembling a little piece of raw chicken back then, but there was a sweetness to his face that still remains til this day.  If I could compare him to a cookie, it would definitely be a snickerdoodle.  He no longer looks as freakish as he did back then with his fur finally together as one complete little cloud.

My little monsti, Miro.

Reading about "Lonesome George" I read about how he wasn't very lonesome after all.  He was loved by so many reporters, photographers, animal lovers, turtle lovers, his caretakers and in the span of one hundred years of life, he was unable to reproduce his breed to an offspring prior to his passing.  This made me think about my cat.  I know he won't live to 100 (at least in human years) and he was neutered when I picked him up.

His parents were Ozzy (A beautiful all-black Devon Rex with the same Amber eyes as Miro) and Shelby (Also a Devon Rex that looks exactly like Miro).  He was born 10/15/2006 and I believe he had 2 or 3 siblings in his batch.  It was a long and memorable 4 hour road trip from Chicago to St. Joseph.  I am so happy to have a friend like Miro to cuddle with 24/7.