Companions
Well, for those of you who follow this blog, my subject matter for this week’s challenge is no surprise. Companions to each other and to us, Leo and Cielo fulfill the job admirably. Dubbed “Dog cats,” Tonkinese are affectionate, gregarious, athletic and beyond intelligent. Leo, the guy who’s looking at you in the portrait, opens drawers, cabinets, and doors, while Cielo fetches and has an extensive vocabulary. They follow us around the house and are almost always to be found nearby. I’m a big fan and truly grateful for their unconditional love and companionship, head butts, nose bites, and purrs.
To learn more about the Weekly Photo Challenge, click here.
LargeSelf 
They’re such handsome critters, Cathy! Are they from the same litter? Their bond is evident.
LikeLike
Thanks, V. No they’re not even from the same breeder. Cielo is about 8 months older, but the Tonkinese breed is quite social and they tend to get along well with other cats and even dogs which is evident here. After an initial period of hissing and growling, they decided they liked each other and have gotten along well since.
LikeLike
How absolutely ADORABLE, Cathy!
LikeLike
Thank you, J.A.! I know, they are, aren’t they?
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
Too cute! Shoot, even I have trouble opening cabinets and doors (although my boyfriend kindly leaves them open for me most of the time). I’d borrow them if he weren’t so deathly allergic. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, Jennifer. I’m sure Leo would be happy to oblige opening cabinets and doors for you. We had to put child proof locks on the dining room hutch because he would open the cabinet and walk around on my mother’s bone china!
LikeLike
Oh, well, I do draw the line at him walking around on my teapots. But then I don’t let my boyfriend in the tearoom either. 😛
LikeLike
Yes, one has to set limits, Jennifer. 🙂
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
They are as beautiful as they are loveable!!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Mimi. They are quite the lookers aren’t they?
LikeLike
OMG – they really are!! And I’m totally objective, because I’ve always had pups. But these two really touched my heart.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
As a cat lover, simply awesome!
LikeLike
Thanks, Frank. These guys are the best!
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
I seriously considered a Tonkinese when I was looking for a cat. I ended up with a Birman, and I’m not sorry I chose her. She shares many of the Tonkinese traits (talkative, inquisitive – yes, she’s forever opening cupboard doors, and so smart it’s scary!). However, she doesn’t care for other cats AT ALL, so she’ll remain the Queen of her domain, which she will allow me to inhabit as long as I give her food and belly rubs 😉
LikeLike
I’m glad you found your wonderful Birman. She does sound quite similar to our Tonks, gregarious, intelligent and rulers of the house! I simply can’t imagine my home and family without cats in it!
LikeLike
Way to melt my heart! This is too precious!
LikeLike
Thanks, Amber!
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
That is so sweet and the texture is wonderful.
LikeLike
Thanks, Kathryn! They’re as soft as they look!
LikeLike
Might have heard of these cats before, but don’t think I ever saw a picture. They are truly adorable. If ever I have a need for still another cat, I will look in their direction.
LikeLike
Thank you, Shimon. They are adorable in looks and personality.
LikeLike
I went AWWWWWWWWW aloud when I saw this photo. I love that they’re such good friends. Are they litter mates, Cathy? I wish my girls would cuddle up like that, but they don’t. They co-exist peacefully but without much regard for each other, generally.
LikeLike
Thank you, Weebs. Leo and Cielo aren’t even related. They came from different breeders and while they’re quite similar in many ways, Leo is much larger and bigger boned than Cielo. I think much of the bonding that they do is because of the traits of the breed. They’re just so darned friendly!
LikeLike
I love your cat photos, they’re really beautiful. I had to google Tonkinese because I’d never heard of that breed. Thanks to you, I’ve found the kind of cat I want (as soon as I can get a cat). I informed my husband of this last night. Now I have to wait for him to warm up to the idea. He’s not a cat lover, but I told him how gregarious this breed is for a start.
Thanks, Cathy!
LikeLike
Thanks, Mary! Good luck on the sales job! These guys are the best! I’ve always loved cats, but I have never had any quite like these two. If you search on Tonkinese cats on YouTube, there are lots of videos of them fetching, playing and there’s even an absolutely darling one of a Tonkinese kitten doing an agility training course. Maybe that’s a place to start with hubby!
LikeLike
Here are a couple, Mary:
LikeLike
And this one:
LikeLike
Smart cats, aren’t they?! This one is a little ball of cuteness and fluff.
LikeLike
And one more. Leo does this all the time.
LikeLike
Did you train Leo or did he figure it out on his own? Amazing!! Thanks for the video links!
LikeLike
Oh, you’re welcome, Mary. We discovered that he was opening the basement door after we noticed that it seemed to be open on its own. We would go down there and the door would be open and both cats would be walking around. Then, one day, while I was working out in the family room, he, opened the door! I was amazed. We ended up having to change the locks so that we could lock them from the outside! There are many wonderful and funny stories about Leo’s door opening talents.
LikeLike
thanks, Cathy…i did not know about this breed of cat. wow! i would love to have one. i can see how they would be great companions. ☺
LikeLike
Thank you, Sunshine, for stopping by and commenting. Tonkinese are wonderful companions and friends. I love cats anyway, but these guys are simply the best!
LikeLike
i just looked them up…and wow. really impressive that a cat like this exists. i think i should emerge out of my cave sometime. ☺
LikeLike
Well, they’re fairly rare. Unlike Siamese and Persians, there aren’t that many Tonkinese breeders. The good news is that Tonks are also very healthy, in general. So when kept indoors (which they really should be, as should all cats, for that matter) they tend to live long healthy lives.
LikeLike
hmm. it sounds like they are hard to breed and i gather, expensive to purchase.
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable (largeself.com) […]
LikeLike
Oh..they are really lovely and so bright…just to show those dogs a thing or two… 🙂
LikeLike
They’re very special, Bastet! Thank you!
LikeLike
That I have seen…I wish I had my old avatar now! Bastet would love these beautiful cats!
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
What cool companions!
LikeLike
They’re great guys, Robert. Thanks!
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
Very sweet photo!
LikeLike
Thank you Girlseule!
LikeLike
Really gorgeous cats! The photo is flawless Cathy. Nice work!
LikeLike
Thanks, Dawn. I had a little help since these guys are so photogenic!
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike
[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Companionable « LargeSelf […]
LikeLike