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Guest post: The Pika belly

Guest post: The Pika belly

photo0515Some pictures tell the proverbial thousand words.

Other pictures beg for a blog post. And so it was that I came to beg our very own nik11676 to pen a piece on a photo that was too-cute-to-be-true…except that it’s true. You’re in for a beautifully-written belly bonanza…

Pikachu in all his glory. All photos by the amazing Nikki.
Pikachu in all his glory. All photos by the amazing Nikki.

“As a Tabby’s Place volunteer, I’m a regular over in Suite A, where I have the interesting task of being one of Dobro‘s socializers.

“While he is definitely coming around (though slowly), I often spend my time playing with the other kitties in the room…..namely Pikachu, Miyagi, and Valencia. This is a tough room to work in, as I’m sure many of you know! Presently, Pikachu and Miyagi are the only ones I can actually pet.

“On one of my many visits to Tabby’s Place, I was asked by a certain staff member (who may or may not be the awesome blog writer) if I could pet Pikachu’s belly. She had heard a rumor that someone had done it. I figured it was a worth a shot. After all, I wouldn’t be petting Dobro’s belly anytime soon!pika-belly

“So I headed off to Suite A, determined to give it a try. Dobro happened to be cuddled up right next to Pikachu when I walked in. I gave Dobro my usual sweet little chat about how much I adore him, and leaned in towards Pikachu (hoping that Dobro would not feel the need to “protect” his friend!).

“Miracle upon miracles, Dobro just sauntered off. I started petting adorable Pikachu, and I told him ‘alright, Pika, give me the belly.’ Sure enough…he did! I couldn’t get the camera out fast enough! My first attempt led to my losing the Pika belly, as he seemed startled. I had to calmly get the camera ready, then move in for another belly rub. Thankfully, Pika is a ‘belly boy,’ and the desire for a belly rub won out over his fear of my fumbling the camera. πŸ™‚

Nikki's Mr. Wolf
Nikki's Mr. Wolf

“I happen to have my own ‘belly boy’ at home. There is nothing cuter or more special than a cat showing how much he loves and trusts you by letting you pet his belly!! My ‘belly boy’ would not approve if I didn’t also include his picture, and so here is my Mr. Wolf. πŸ™‚ “

Thank you, Nikki, Mr. Wolf, and most of all Pikachu, for the sunniest, belly-est blog post east of the Mississippi. Nikki, you should only know how your love – and your belly-smooshes – are readying Pikachu for his forever family. With belly moments like this, “forever” can’t be far off for our most marmalade Okinawan. And, who’s to say that roomie Dobro isn’t watching and wondering about this thing called love?

9 thoughts on “Guest post: The Pika belly

  1. Ohhhhh, that’s so wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that Pikachu is coming around. I truly hope that Dobro isn’t too far behind. I’m a big fan of the two of them. I love me an orinch kitty!

  2. Thanks Angela!!! Pikachu really is such a sweetheart! Oh, I need to add Beta to this list of cats I can pet in this room! I think Pikachu is telling them all what they’re missing, and everyone will start to come around πŸ™‚

  3. Okay, Nikki — you have a magic touch because I surely couldn’t get near any of these guys this past weekend! I am beyond impressed — and these photos are beyond cute! Mr. Wolf is very lucky to have you as his momma — and Tabby’s Place is very lucky to have you and your love on the team!

  4. Yea! I loved reading this post. I too am a regular to Suite A and I have been trying very hard to socialize the Japanese trio. I have also had the wonderful experience of the Pika belly! What a fabulous belly to pet! He is really a doll. I am so glad that you are able to pet Miyagi. I have only been able to get him to lick my finger and I have stroked his nose. Otherwise he runs away. This past Sunday I really wanted to work with Pikachu and I also talked to Dobro and told him that I loved him but that I planned to pet Pik. Dobro did not saunter off, but gave me a huge swat instead. So I backed off and decided that Pikachu would have to wait for the day. I gave Beta a quick pet instead. I am so glad to see that someone else is helping to socialize these special kitties. Good work, Nikki!

    1. Thanks Susan!! I am so sorry aobut Dobro smacking you! Sometimes he has no manners. I think with all of us teaming up in Suite A, we’ll get everyone socialized in no time πŸ™‚

  5. I thought this might be a post about Pikachu’s slowly expanding tummy, him and Valencia seem to be packing on the pounds :). I was playing with Pikachu and Miyagi on Sunday and Dobro actually came down and chased the toy for a few minutes. It was great, until I had to shift my seat and he took off back up top, though he did keep playing if the toy was tossed up there with him. Pikachu is definitely the most friendly in there though, he also really loves being brushed.

  6. I, too, am a socializer for the Japanese trio, and have learned hom much Pikachu loves his belly rubs. One day he and Miyagi were curled up in a cubby together and I started petting Pikachu. Sure enough, he presented his belly and I gave him super belly love for what seemed like hours. Little by little I would let my hand brush past Miyagi who seemed unsure at first. Eventually I was petting both Pika’s belly and Miyagi’s side and both seemed quite content. I’m so glad that there are others socializing these kitties! They are truly special and I believe have lots and lots of love to give, even more than we hve already seen. I’m also happy to hear that you’re making progress with Dobro: even though I have never been able to make any contact with him other than the receiving end of a swat, I have a soft spot for him. <3

  7. I’m glad to hear the overseas kitties are getting adjusted to American life. I wonder what the word is for “belly” in Japanese. πŸ™‚ (P.S. Nikki, your Mr. Wolf is a cutie pie!)

    1. You had me curious so I looked it up! They have 3 words for belly. They are: fukubu, onaka, and hara πŸ™‚

      I will pass along your comment to Mr. Wolf. I’m sure he’ll love it πŸ™‚

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