For one month out of the year, Winston has a tree. Right after Thanksgiving we go out and buy the freshest, prettiest tree we can find and bring it home to place in front of the window where we’ll see it first thing when we walk into the house.
Winston has always been an indoor kitty. Aside from the balcony of our condo he doesn’t go outside and so has missed out on the simple pleasures a tree can bring. Each year when our new Christmas tree arrives he trots into the living room to inspect this unusual addition to the house, sniffing the lower branches and thoroughly checking out the base. Once the water goes into the tree stand he is in kitty heaven, lapping up this tasty delight and completely neglecting his own bowl of fresh water. There’s something about the novelty of tree water that he just can’t resist.
Trees also provide a most excellent hiding place for one who is fond of pretending he is invisible. Gazing at his people, unnoticed, through the cover of branches is especially satisfying to our sweet, silky-furred gray and white stripped friend with his predilection for stealth activities.
Winston makes the most of his Christmas tree for the four weeks of the year he has it. Of all the gifts that have ever been under our trees none has come anywhere close to bringing the joy and wonder we always find in sharing our lives with Winston, who continues to delight us with his presence not only at Christmas but every day of the year.
