The Art of Being Sophie

I have known a lot of cats in my day, but no one has done it quite like our Miss Sophie Belle.  She has taken all that is right with being a cat and has made it her life's mission to perfect and promote kittiness.  In fact, as I write this she is curled up on the chair beside me.  She is not supposed to be on the chair beside me but is there, curled up with her little paws crossed.  She was in that warm spot that Danny vacated before he had both cheeks off the seat.  She is a master at napping.  She understands the movements of the earth and instinctively knows which window will have the best sun at any given time.  She also knows when someone has acquired a blanket for their lap and she is on it like white on rice!
In fact, we could probably change that expression from white on rice to Sophie on a blanket and it would be as effective.  Alright, it wouldn't be effective at all because you would have to continually stop to explain that Sophie gets on blankets.
Anyway, back to Sophie.
We got Sophie in 1999.  She is our oldest pet.  Sophie is little.  Petting her is like petting on of those wooden 3-D dinosaur puzzles with fur.  You can feel every bone.  She is the color of wild bunnies.  Brown and grey and tan.  She has magic eyes.  When she needs them to be big, they are the size of milk duds.  She uses these eyes when she wants treats.  When she needs to convey other messages like "that's my chair Elsa" or "Not in the mood for your gigantic head, Harlow!"  she uses the squinty Clint Eastwood eyes.  Those eyes are usually followed by a 'sike you out' paw raise and a low murr.   Not a growl, but not a friendly meow either.  Spohie is also a wonderful winker, she just kind of stares you down and then winks.  The best part of this little trick is that Danny cannot wink and Sophie seems to know that so she usually saves her winking for him!
Sophie lived with us in Cedar Rapids then made the move to West Des Moines.  She is a mostly indoor cat though she has spent a few nights out on the streets.  We used to let her have some patio time, but she took advantage of it, left the yard and greatly upset us all.  The past few years we have had a hawk in residence in the neighbor's tree so Sophie only gets to go outside under armed guard.  As in she is in the arms of the guard!
Sophie finds comfort everywhere.  If it is her desire to lay down, there is really nothing you can do to stop her from making your lap, your leg, your book, your sewing project, your keyboard, your freshly laundered towels, your dog's new rug, your friend's baby's car seat comfortable.  She is like one of those people on the plane that can sleep in any position. 
Sophie is my baby fix.  She is happy to be carried around like a baby.  She will lay on her back, nestled in the crook of my arm.  She will rest her paws and head on my shoulder as I cup her little butt.  She will spend the day that way if it suits her. 
Sophie sometimes gets The Flopps.  The Flopps is the scientific term for when a cat puffs up its tail, runs kind of sideways, has a crazy look in its eyes and meows forlornly.  The Flopps often happen late at night or when you just walk into a room.  Empty cardboard boxes often are associated with The Flopps.  The Flopps generally happen two to three times a week and are followed by a nap.  All cat activities are followed by a nap.
Sophie, when she wants to appear particularly pathetic, will lose her voice.  She will attempt to meow, but no sound will come out.  She will walk around the treat closet and desperately try to convey to you her need for treats but alas, no sound will be heard.  She then gets treats.  She eats her treats the fastest and then eats Elsa and Emmitt's treats, as well!
Sophie, all seven pounds of her, is on a mission to make everyone love kitties.  Sophie greets everyone with big eyes and a leg rub.  She has the special gift of knowing those that need to be converted.  She will gently reach a paw up as if to say "hello, I am so damn cute!  You are a fool if you don't love me now."  Are you allergic?  Then she is in your lap.  Are you here to repair something or sell something?  Then she wants to know all about it.  If you can't sell it to her, then I don't want it.  And as I look at her still laying on the chair she is not supposed to be on, I am reminded of how wonderful the simple things are.  A sun spot, a scratch behind the ears and a pile of treats.  That is all she is really after.  Isn't that what we're all after, warmth, love, nourishment.