Friday, the designate Snow Leopard Ambassador to the Snow Leopard Trust, became a member of our Mongolian research team in the summer of 2008 with the mission to keep our lonely researchers company during their stay at base camp. Her crazy antics are those any cat owner can relate to and have been well documented by our lead researcher, Orjan.
“Friday has made a nice cat door by pushing down one of the roof-windows so that it smashed against the floor. Friday seems to think of this as a big improvement since she can go in and out as she pleases, although she is oblivious to the shattered glass around the ger.”
“If there is enough firewood in the stove Friday will sleep about 50 cm from it (under the table), as the fire dies the cat moves closer to the stove. Just before the fire goes out she squeezes herself under the stove, this ‘Cat-O-Meter’ is a very good notification that it is time to put in more firewood.”
In April of this year, Friday gave birth to three kittens that Orjan helps take care of.
“I made a nice box for her, insulated with spare clothes. But when I came back… my sleeping bag had a little cat family in it. At night, she insisted that I help keep the kittens warm and she put them in the sleeping bag with me. In the end I gave up my thick winter sleeping bag to Friday and started using my thin summer sleeping bag. They provide a lot of joy out here; it adds a lot to our lives to have a cat family in camp, so I reckon that I have to accept being a little cold.”
Sounds like a typical cat! We have five rescue cats and feed a feral. You have no idea, or maybe you do, how many hours were spent making a perfect place for on the felines. For what? They do what they will, go where they will and, Oh Yeah! feed me. 🙂
more picture please!
This is awesome! We need more pics!
Cats are amazing fur people and to be selected by a cat as it’s personal friend is a real gift. I have been a cat person all my life which is why I love all felines big and small and your little lady is so precious. Keep up your wonderful work. I hope one day to see a ‘live’ snow leopard, most probably in a zoo, but it will be a wonderful experience.
I love cats too. We have two tabby sisters, they are both one year old. They are totally delightful, especially one we call ‘Sakura’, who loves to play fetch with a toy mouse. When she awakes she will often carry the toy mouse, calling to us to come and play. She chases after the mouse when we throw it and brings it back to us – a game she loves to play for several minutes. Like Friday, both our little cats also love to get inside our beds or underneath our son’s old sleeping bag that is on top of his bed.
Love the cat and kitten pcitures, including the stories. Please keep them coming.
Give us more updates on Friday, the kittens and the life of the researchers!
Cats are wonderful companions. If at all possible I hope that Orjan will have her spayed so there are no more kittens. It is wonderful of him to surrender his sleeping bag to the kittens.
I have nothing but admiration and deep respect for all your wonderful work. I am a proud “mother” of… about 10-11 adopted ” children” (shame on me!, I forgot how many!), most of them big cat, including Blizzard the snow leopard, but as much as I admire and love you, I “hate” you with all my heart! You all have the chance to see them in the wild, to work for them, to see the outcome of your efforts. I know there is a strong bond between your team and the wonderful cats, big or small . But giving up the warm sleeping bag, in such a cold environment, for your little lady proves what special souls you have, how generous and kind you are. I would do anything for my cat (and I actually do, as he is my master!), without waiting anything back, although the look in his eyes is my greatest reward.
Thank you, THANK YOU, for all your efforts to help and save the majestic snow leopards. With them and you, our planet is better place.
Best and warmest wishes,
Dr. Andrea Cramp
Get Friday and her kittens nuetered…!!!
THERE JUST ISN’T ANYTHING BETTER THEN TO BE LOVED BY A CAT. BEING SO INDEPENDENT AS THEY ARE TO RECEIVE THEIR LOVE WOW WHAT A GIFT. I MY SELF HAVE TWO BROTHERS BEAU AND PISTOL THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ME. TO BE AROUND BOTH BIG AND SMALL CATS YOU ARE ALL TRUELY BLESSED. KEEP UP ALL THE GOOD WORK YOU DO, MAY THIS NOTE FINDS YOU ALL WELL. MAY YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE IN WHITE LIGHT, I SEND YOU ALL REIKI ENERGY AND WHITE LIGHT AND MANY HEART FELT PRAYERS.
NAMASTE
NANCY
They make a place feel homely no matter where. Was she there already or was she imported?
Love the work you are doing! As cute as the (domestic) kittens are, there are proven health issues related to unspayed/uneutered cats. Please spay your kitty as young as possible to prevent health problems!
First, Orjan, appreciate very much your research, secondly, thank you for giving Friday a home! Cats most certainly make a place a home, and the kittens will be a riot!
Have been ruminating about a name for a tabby kitten (he and his sisters were a surprise present from his mother) who always likes to talk with you. If little fellow knew how to type, he would assuredly have a blog of his very own. Therefore, needing a charming name for a meowy charming kitten, am going to name him Orjan!
Now. About that sleeping bag. Snow Leopard Trust office people, is there a way we can start a fund to buy Orjan a new winter sleeping bag? It’s September already!! Brrr!!!