{"id":14296,"date":"2015-04-18T00:10:54","date_gmt":"2015-04-18T04:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/?p=14296"},"modified":"2015-04-17T19:30:01","modified_gmt":"2015-04-17T23:30:01","slug":"clockwork-kitty-zee-works-the-nightshift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/clockwork-kitty-zee-works-the-nightshift\/","title":{"rendered":"Clockwork Kitty – Zee Works the Nightshift"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Toys-web\"<\/a>

A sampling of Zee’s homage in the early days. These were some of his favorite toys – especially carrot in the center and grey kitty to the right.<\/p><\/div>\n

For most of us the weekend means a bit of relaxing after a hard week of work. For Zee, however, when it’s time for bed, come hell or high water, he takes his job of bringing stuffed toys into the bedroom Dan and I share VERY SERIOUSLY<\/strong>. With the exception of a brief sabbatical a couple of months ago whereby not a single toy graced the floor of our room, this cat punches in for his nightshift like clockwork.<\/p>\n

It all started after his kittens, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, and Zeuss Catt were born. I can\u2019t say for certain what his reasoning was, but it almost seemed like he was teaching them how to hunt prey and then bring the kill to Dan and I as some sort of homage to us for providing them with a safe and warm house, food, love, and care.<\/p>\n

\"Gangs<\/a>

This was the kittens when they were about 6 weeks old – true to kids, they didn’t listen to anything their parents were trying to teach them…<\/p><\/div>\n

Typical kids, not a one of them was interested in what he was doing, leaving him the full responsibility of bringing toys into our room each and every night. The task was arduous for sure \u2013 with each toy he brought, a ritualistic meowing noise would occur. Since the toys were in his mouth during the meowing, it would result in him sounding like a cat version of Marlon Brando in the God Father! And since he would bring a half or dozen toys or more each night, it really was quite the ordeal and a significant commitment on his part.<\/p>\n

\"ToysZee1\"<\/a>

Zee – King of his Toy Castle!<\/p><\/div>\n

As Zee got older, he still brought toys into our room, but usually only one of two of his favorites. Lately however, he is back with a vengeance, bringing nearly a dozen toys into the room. Again, not sure what his impetus is. Perhaps it is having my step-daughter, Jackie, move in with us\u00a0\u2013 while certainly not a bad thing, his routine has been a bit disrupted and he is a cat that likes things to be predicable and orderly. We have also had Rick, our grand dog visiting more frequently, so maybe this is Zee\u2019s way of thanking us that Rick hasn\u2019t shown up for a whole week.<\/p>\n

Who really knows? The interesting part \u2013 Jazmine has caught wind of Zee\u2019s ways and sometimes she brings toys into the room for us. And both of them during the day use toys as a means of communication \u2013 a toy dropped at our feet either means \u201cplay with me,\u201d or \u201cstep away from your computer and stop ignoring me.\u201d A toy dropped in a food dish is an obvious ploy to get the magic food gods to feed them, and a toy dropped by the front door is done so that if we leave the house, we will come back soon!<\/p>\n

\"ZeeFood-Dish\"<\/a>

Zee is basically saying, “Come on, damn you Angry Bird! I need food in this dish – why aren’t your magic powers working?!”<\/p><\/div>\n

\"7-12-14jaz\"<\/a>

Jazmine cuts right to the chase. Here is a toy mouse, now give me some people food.<\/p><\/div>\n

Whatever the case, I am supremely impressed with the work ethic Zee has. He never complains, despite working weekdays, weekends, holidays, and more. I think that cat deserves a raise, don\u2019t you? Or at least a few extra treats…<\/p>\n

\"DSC_8657\"<\/a>

And here we are present day, this was the loot we found this morning in our bedroom. You will note that grey kitty remains one of his favorite toys.<\/p><\/div>\n

How about your cats \u2013 do they have a nightshift job like Zee? I\u2019d love to hear about it in the comments. Oh, and as a special treat, please enjoy this vintage video back when Mr. Jazz was still with us taken at night documenting just what cats do when we sleep at night!<\/p>\n