widgets, or the post where I gush about cute things.

Widgets. I was going to write about my bewilderment regarding the new Facebook Applications feature, but that’s such a “Web 2.0 Blogger” topic and totally boring. Widget reminds me of something else which is much cooler. Here is a (by no means complete) compendium of some of the various cute animals and pets who populate my neighborhood.

• Widget is the name of this tiny shih-tzu puppy that lives in my building who’s like a densely packed bundle of energy. Every time someone holds him, you can see his little legs pumping back and forth like he’s trying to run on the air. When he’s actually on the ground, he doesn’t so much run as bound, two legs in the air at all times.
• Widget’s brother is an older shih-tzu named Gizmo who is like a tan and white carpet with feet. He’s the type of dog who has no face other than a tongue because it’s all hidden under a mess of hair. When he walks he sort of just floats, bouncing up and down ever so slightly.
• Meatball is a small black stray kitten who’s like the elusive celebrity of Long Island City — everyone’s trying to become his friend, but he won’t let anyone within 10 feet, and only then when you have something tasty to offer him. We got this barely passable photo by feeding him a mashed-up turkey meatball. I think Meatball is a way more original and better name than “Shadow” and “Phantom,” both of which I’ve heard other people call him and which are just so obvious and uncreative and bleh. Joan has gotten closer to him than anyone else I’ve seen. So maybe we’re winning the popularity contest. I hope so, because the world doesn’t need any more black cats named “Shadow.”
• There’s this really fat pug whose name I don’t know whom I see waddling around every now the streets and then. He’s kind of shaped like a blimp or football, and has no visible neck. If he weren’t so cute you’d want to punt him for the extra point every time you saw him. Andrew and I routinely get excited every time one of us sees him, and keep track of recent sightings.
• There’s also this grey tabby goes on walks outside on a leash. I’ve only seen this semi-outdoor kitty a couple times, but he or she looks awfully happy prancing around outside. S/he strains at the leash with forelegs extended, as if trying to break free of the bounds which chain him/her to this yuppie prison known as East Coast LIC. I once saw a meeting between this cat and Meatball, but the least prevented them from getting closer than 10 feet or so. Meatball sat staring calmly at this cat who was struggling to break free and give chase. Maybe it’s not so bad to be a stray cat if it means you can run around without being on a leash, because there’s something about a cat on a leash that’s just funny.

Talking aimlessly about cute animals also gives me an excuse me to post this random video of a talking cat:

-D