Cats: Feline Adventures and the Unbreakable Bond of Siblings

We’ve had our brother-and-sister duo for nine wild years now. When we first got Suki (short for Duchess Suki Yaki, naturally) and Screechie (Lord Augustus, aka Darth Screechie—because why not), they were just tiny, 10-week-old balls of fur. They came from an animal rescue, where their first few weeks were spent surrounded by barking dogs who apparently adored them. Lauri, the saint who worked at the rescue, told us she found them curled up together in the bushes, about the size of little spring rolls.

Those early days? Equal parts joy and absolute chaos. Oh, the kitten phase! From their relentless curiosity to the middle-of-the-night zoomies that had me questioning if we had ghosts, it was a trip. And then there was the infamous “food fiasco.” We decided to switch up their diet (rookie mistake), and suddenly, it was diarrhea central. I seriously thought, “That’s it, I’m done.” But just as fast as the mess began, it stopped. They bounced back like the little champs they are, and I even felt a bit guilty for doubting them. They’re smart, resilient, and apparently born to survive whatever curveballs we throw their way!

Here’s Suki and Screechie at 10 weeks

We tried to leash-train them and took them on car rides a few times, but let’s be honest, these two are total homebodies. They want nothing to do with the outside world. I still laugh thinking about the one time I found Screech outside of the house. I had no idea he had gotten outside while I was leaving for a grocery run. There he was, hunkered down on the front porch like a tiny ninja! I have no idea how long he was there, but the look on his face when I scooped him up and opened the door was priceless. He probably thought he was embarking on a great adventure when, in reality, he wanted back in as soon as he could. As for Suki? Absolutely no desire for outdoor escapades—she is all about her snacks and snuggling up indoors.

Suki and Screech have such distinct personalities, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same litter. Screechie, my little lover boy, is the king of snuggles. There’s nothing more comforting than when he curls up tight against me at night, purring like a motorboat. His purrs are so loud and rhythmic, it’s like a lullaby that puts me right to sleep. But what I adore most is how he checks on me periodically, both during the night and throughout the day, just to make sure everything is okay. And when he needs a hug? Oh, you’ll know. He’s super vocal about it, practically demanding it, or begging for it with his little chirps and meows until I pick him up and he snuggles into my neck.

Then there’s Suki, my snack queen. She’s a foodie at heart, and let me tell you, she likes her dry food freshly poured. None of that stale, been-sitting-in-the-bowl-too-long nonsense for her. She’s a classy lady. But what she loves most—aside from food—is TV time. No matter where we are in the house, we’ll find her nestled beside us, ready to binge-watch whatever show we’re into. It’s like she’s got some radar for it. And let’s not forget, while Screech is the lover, Suki can be both a lover and a fighter. She’ll shower you with affection one moment, but if she’s not in the mood, watch out—she’ll let you know with a swift slap of the paw (no claws, just a little attitude).

Feeding time at our house is a whole event. Screech is all about his wet food, with chicken and trout being his absolute favorite. You can almost see his eyes light up as soon as the can cracks open. Meanwhile, Suki gives me that look—“Is my dry food fresh? Because you know I won’t eat it otherwise.” Cats, right?

They’re both these fluffy, medium-long-haired little furballs. I love how poofy and majestic they look, but the downside? Sometimes they sport little “dingleberries” dangling off their butts like unwanted Christmas ornaments. And let me tell you, those things can go totally unnoticed for hours—until you stumble across a rogue turd outside their litter box, like a not-so-subtle reminder to inspect those cute little butts. Ahh, the glamorous life of cat parenthood!

When the two of them get the zoomies, it’s like a full-on racetrack in our living room. It’s hilarious watching them chase each other around. But the real fun begins when there’s a lizard on the loose. Suki turns into a huntress, stalking her prey with laser focus. Screech, on the other hand, is more of a play boy—he’ll bat the lizard around, but never actually catch it. Eventually, the poor lizard just gives up and fakes death, lying belly-up in defeat while Screech looks on, confused.

Isn’t it hilarious how our grand plans to spoil our cats often backfire? We shell out for fancy beds and plush hammocks, but our kitties give us the paw and opt for the good ol’ cardboard boxes and serving trays we never intended for them. And let’s not even talk about the toy investment! We bought bouncing balls, feather wands, you name it, thinking we’d keep them endlessly entertained. But nope, they barely gave those a second glance. Instead, they went nuts over the simplest stuff—strings and those elusive laser dots. The funny thing is, they got bored of the laser pointer in no time and went back to their favorite piece of string. Cats, man—they really know how to find joy in the weirdest places!

Honestly, I can’t imagine life without these two. They bring so much joy, laughter, and companionship into our home. Their quirks, their snuggles, their little habits—they’ve become such an integral part of our day-to-day life. We’ve shared so many moments with them already, and I hope to have another 10 to 12 years of these two jokers by our side.

Pets really do become family, and while Suki and Screech may be brother and sister, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Screech is the quintessential lover, always needing to be close and showering us with affection. And Suki? Well, she’s our little fighter, but she’s got a heart of gold when she wants to.

Having pets is such a rewarding experience, but it’s also a commitment. If you don’t have the patience, love, and time to take care of them FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIVES (not just when they’re tiny and cute), then maybe pet ownership isn’t for you. However, if you do have these qualities, the joy and love they’ll bring into your world is unmatched. Suki and Screech are living proof of that. It’s also important to remember that pet ownership requires financial commitment, as their vet visits can sometimes be as costly as a trip to the doctor for humans.

Screechie and Suki now

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Suki