Two Cats Turn Two

It's Henry & Basil's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Henry & Basil!

Our two cats were born in New Jersey two years ago on April 2nd, and they came into our lives a couple of months later. They’ve grown big — athletic and sleek, they both top out at around 15 pounds — and they’ve fallen in love with the sun-drenched windowsills of our apartment.

Basil and Henry on the couch

This year, Basil has become a lap cat, overcoming some of his kittenhood fears and nestling with us on the couch when we watch movies or read. He remains fearful of strangers, and hides under the couch when we have visitors, but at two years old he’s much more robust than the tiny, sick kitten we brought home in 2021.

Basil on Lily’s lap

Henry, too, has gotten more adventurous. He is eager to explore the balcony in spring, and gazes ceaselessly at the pigeons through the kitchen window nearly every day. For his birthday, we took him to Morningside Park. He loved tracking the squirrels, birds, dogs, runners, and babies from his perch atop a rocky outcropping. Bathed in bright afternoon sunlight and surrounded by daffodils, Henry was in his element.

Henry is not excited to go out

Henry sniffs the air from his carrier

Henry tracks a baby with his eyes, moving his head slowly as the child toddles between its parents on the lawn in the distance, out of frame

Henry sees a squirrel

Basil and Henry have been part of our family for nearly two years, and we’re so glad to celebrate their lives and adventures. Basil fetches. Henry loves the outdoors. Basil is a literal scaredy cat. Henry’s nightly routine invariably involves an hour on the cat couch. Basil loves sleeping in the yellow office chair. They have grown into distinct personalities, learned their names, developed routines and means of communicating their needs, and overall adapted very well to being city pets.

Henry flops

Henry encroaches on Basil’s nap-time

Weighed down

Basil warms up on the heating vent

Looking around

Henry the dusty lap cat

Here’s to many more years with these two cats. Until next time,

— Tys & Lily