Two siblings. Rather different approaches to life.
Shiva and Shakti are Siamese littermates, although you might not guess it from their size. Shakti was the tiny runt and remains my forever kitten. Shiva grew considerably taller and heavier. Neither appears to believe that size determines who is in charge.
Shakti on the left. Shiva on the right.Shiva, up close.
Shiva
Shiva is a sweet goofball with a deep interest in food. He dances for his meals, apparently concerned that standing quietly might result in someone forgetting to feed him. He is also our more cautious soul. A sneeze can startle him, and thunderstorms send him under the basement couch.
When he feels comfortable, though, he is wonderfully affectionate. He likes curling into my lap and being held. He also enjoys sleeping in the yellow chair or sprawling belly-up on the kitchen floor, looking as though he has never had a concern in his life.
He loves his sister, but his understanding of personal space could use some work. When they share a window, he inches closer until Shakti has to address the situation.
Shakti, on top of the refrigerator.
Shakti
Shakti is tiny, adventurous, lightning-fast, and quite willing to tell her much larger brother what to do. If he crowds her at the window, she smacks his head. It has the unmistakable feeling of “Mom, he’s touching me!” He sometimes chases her, but she can easily outrun him.
With me, she is extravagantly affectionate. When I speak sweetly to her, she rubs against things, rolls onto her back, and makes little peeping sounds. She snuggles close and licks my ear. I have said that if she could unzip my skin and climb inside, she probably would.
She also takes an interest in my work. Sometimes this means draping herself over the computer monitor, with a leg hanging across whatever I am trying to read. Other times she sits on top of the refrigerator, where she has a better view of how the household is being managed.
Together
They have their separate resting places, but an open window brings them together. Watching birds and squirrels, their heads swivel in unison. For a while, there is no disagreement about space or who is touching whom. There is only the important business happening outside.
Then someone moves an inch too close.
Around the house
Life with the humans.
Shiva, making himself comfortable on the kitchen floor.Shiva, asleep in the yellow chair.Shakti, supervising the manuscript.
