Mylow

the spark

Restless instinct
Disruptive presence
Relentless teaser
Fiercely affectionate

Spring–Summer 2008 — born as one of ten kittens
August 2008 — visits from the neighbor’s ginger cat Garfield (2008–2019) inspire the decision to adopt again
Adopted from the local shelter with brother Jamie, the same place Carry once came from
August 29, 2008 — first day home
First encounter with Garfield — hisses erupt on both sides, fur bristles, tension rises — Garfield is brought back outside
Wildly playful — constant mock fights to test strength and boundaries
Ears outgrowing the rest of him in early months — a disproportion that slowly balances out
The living room and the basement bar become his playground with Jamie — the bedroom their wrestling arena
When playing with humans, interrupts Jamie and takes over; in adulthood the roles reverse, and in old age the old rhythm returns
Through kittenhood and early adulthood, often sleeps curled up with Jamie — grooming him more often than he is groomed in return
First time outside, rushes toward Garfield in the garden — smaller and months younger, but fearless; Garfield flees
Accidentally locked inside a nearby garage soon after first going outside — heard and located by Jamie, who leads his human mother there; back home, he rolls across the floor in unrestrained relief
In early years, comes to the front door when someone returns home — drawn by new scents and activity; over time, the habit slowly disappears
Mylow is leaner — noticeably larger ears than Jamie and a thin tail with a small kink near the tip
When stroked along the tail to that kink in dry winter air, a tiny static snap jumps exactly at that spot
As kittens, Jamie and Mylow discover claws and jump strength — their humans teach them where scratching and jumping are allowed and where they are not. Mylow understands the rules perfectly, but often treats them as negotiable when he wants something. In younger years, he occasionally drags his claws along the sofa to provoke a reaction, and even in very old age he still jumps onto tables he knows are off-limits whenever it suits his purpose.
Shows a particular passion for scratching — and keeps testing higher jumps and stronger launches
Accepts being carried only when young; later resists it
Closely bonded with Jamie when young — sharing play and sleep — later keeps more distance, but relies on him when conflicts with other cats escalate
Frequently provokes and annoys Jamie
As a kitten, fearless toward strangers — later retreats completely; inside, almost always hiding together with Jamie beneath the basement stairs, only rarely elsewhere; outside, disappears alone
Seeks constant physical contact with his surroundings — rubbing his mouth against hands, clothes, walls, bottles, remotes — anything within reach becomes part of his sensory world
Poor hunter — usually finds prey but treats it like a toy, rolling beside it instead of engaging seriously
While being petted, constantly repositions himself — never still for long
Paws unusually rough — dry and coarse
Rarely vocal when young — if at all, only a thin, high-pitched sound; with age, becomes intensely vocal day and night, his meow growing extremely loud, raw, and insistent when something displeases him
Carries his tail upright while walking, often holding it straight up in the air and shaping it into soft curves and winding, snake-like motions; when lying awake, it becomes restless, constantly twitching with a life of its own
As a kitten, lets himself be pushed around on a floor mop — sliding across the house as if cleaning it himself
Early in life, often sticks his head into soft house shoes and plays with them like toys
In his earliest months, sits right in front of the TV and swats at the screen when something moves; later only shows interest when other animals appear on it
As a very young cat, occasionally rests in the kitchen sink
When seeking affection, most enjoys gentle belly rubs
Exceptionally clean and meticulous about grooming — during especially intense cleaning sessions, low grunting noises sometimes escape him
Whenever someone strokes his back, he immediately arches his back and pushes into the hand, as if trying to get even closer to the touch; he does this every single time
On one memorable occasion, comes all the way down from the top floor, only to discover his human petting Jamie at the scratching post downstairs. He stares at the scene in visible disbelief, then turns around and marches straight back upstairs as if deeply offended by the betrayal.
During warm seasons, especially in summer, spends most of his sleeping time outdoors, usually resting deeply hidden among bushes, and often only comes inside to eat. As a very young cat, he sometimes even sleeps in the nearby park. In old age, he mostly sleeps indoors.
Shadows and reflected sunlight hold a special magic for him — he stalks, chases, and pounces on them as if they were living creatures of their own
During certain kinds of play with humans, especially when chasing a moving object held in someone's hand, such as a blade of grass or a string, he often tears his mouth open and lets out a strange rushing sound, hard to name, but unmistakably his own
When a standing human swings a long string or similar object across the floor for him to chase, he repeatedly throws himself around the person's feet, as though the one holding the toy had become part of the prey itself.
Outside the garden, he sometimes trails his tail along certain plants, especially hedges, as if quietly marking them with his presence.
Usually avoids confrontations with other cats, often leaving them to Jamie or being rescued by him instead. The only exception is a particular black tomcat that appears in the neighborhood for a time and terrorizes the other male cats. Mylow repeatedly approaches him, yowls at him, swats at him, and tries to drive him away.

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