Now, Hobbes is an old cat, fifteen years on April 1st. We all know how the effects of aging melt away in our dreams; we become young again and can take on the world as we used to in our youths.

This happens somewhat regularly with Hobbes. Just today he was sleeping on my lap as I was getting some writing done. He starts twitching, his feet and ears, the tip of his tail, then the fur on his back suddenly stood up:



He's dreaming about something that has him all fluffed up and feet going, like a fight with another tom or some other male-tale of daring do, a young man's adventure relived in an old man's dreams.

When the dream moves on and he's past REM sleep, the twitching subsides to nothing and the fur comes down to normal state.



I know this isn't some sort of seizure or worrisome thing, for I can pet him awake soon after and he never looks confused or fearful, just happy and calmly purring away. I don't know that I'd try that when he is dreaming, especially when he might be puffed up, though. GRIN!

He's been a vivid dreamer pretty regularly ever since he was a kitten. Once he even rolled off the back of the sofa in his sleep.

It's Hobbes.