Mere seconds before what is now known as The Great Kitten Smackenation (The kitten is fine) (Sugar is annoyed but also fine)

Is Spice judging you? Yes. Did you do something for which you deserve to be judged? Oh, probably.

Shenanigans? Shenanigans!

Update: The newest Scamperbeast has an official name. Meet Saja! whatever.scalzi.com/2025/09/02/s...

There's important and exciting news today: There's a new official Scamperbeast in the world! whatever.scalzi.com/2025/09/01/k...

Step One of Smudge's master plan to eat all the treats was accomplished: He had infiltrated the pantry. However, Step Two - grow opposable thumbs - was taking longer than anticipated.

The foster kittens know how to pose.

THIS JUST IN: The calico foster kitten says hello

The humans are fostering a trio of kittens, which makes them Temporary Scamperbeasts. Here they are. More details about them (and also how you could adopt one!) here: whatever.scalzi.com/2025/08/21/p...

Smudge has questions.

Spice acknowledges the return of the human after a trip without feeling the need to be impressed by the fact.

"Whatever happened, we were here the entire time, both of us, you can't prove otherwise, so there."

Smudge, plotting the Great Fish Stick Heist of 2025

Smudge caught in the middle of a head shake

Sugar and Spice don't normally deign to sit on the same bed at the same time, but they're both waiting for Charlie the dog to enter the room to commence... shenanigans.

The Scamperbeasts just reached 30k followers on Bluesky. To celebrate, here's a picture of Smudge seven years ago, when he showed up in the yard demanding to be taken in. Also, the Scamperbeasts have donated to the Miami County Animal Shelter. Thanks for following! www.co.miami.oh.us/799/Donations

"Did I give you permission to make the bed? No. Did you look to see if I was on the bed before you made it? Also no. Will my wrath concerning this error be biblical in its proportions? Oh, my, yes."

"No harm shall come to your ankles when you reach the top of the stairs, I swear it."

Not so much a "blep" as a "bleh"

This absolutely adorable ScamperPal is named Hamish and he was at the Big Ohio Book Con today, promoting literacy and fuzziness in equal measures

Sugar doesn't understand why any human would ever want to do anything but be her squishy mattress

Venetian cats really are world-class loungers

Today's Scamperguest comes to us from the Italian island of Burano. This cat is a master of Adriatic loafing.

IMPORTANT NEWS: All mlems are bleps but not every blep is a mlem. Here we see a blep gracefully and dare we say triumphantly transitioning into a mlem. Truly a beautiful moment, captured for posterity. We are lucky to be here for this spectacular moment in time.

"So I snuck out of the house, was gone for five days and you were worried sick about me? Well, that's a 'you' problem, now, isn't it?"

Smudge has already had enough of Monday, thank you.

"I absolutely am NOT lurking underneath the bathroom storage shelves to attack your ankles as you pass by, and frankly, I am offended that you would even suggest such a thing."

Sugar to Charlie: "I am not judging you. I assure you, you've already been judged."

"What do you mean, this burrito is not a tribute to my presence? What are you offering instead?"

"Yes, I have vanquished the perfidious squirrel... but at what cost?!?"

Smudge, luring the dog into a false sense of security

"Wait, did I leave the gas on?"

Once upon a time Smudge was a (not especially smart) kitten

Smudge sleeps on the couch; Sugar reminds the human that he, also, is a couch

Spice and Smudge are having a philosophical disagreement at the moment. Smudge appears to be reconsidering his position.

Spice, going full lounge

Spice is intrigued by the catnip chicken.

"Oh, I'm sorry, human, you were away for two whole weeks and therefore lost your office chair privileges. You'll get it back when you fetch me tuna."

The Cat Clock informs us that the correct time is currently Nap Thirty. Please adjust your timepieces accordingly.

"The human was under the impression he could eat a sandwich without offering the appropriate tribute. The human was sadly mistaken."

If you're wondering if Spice is judging you, the answer is yes. Yes she is.

"The sacrificial victim, tethered to her spot, does not know she is being stalked by the cunning predator. Nor will she know... until it is too late" (NOTE: No unsuspecting pups were actually harmed in this photo, Sugar would never, unless she was really hungry or annoyed)

"I'm not lurking, human, it's just that your head is in my way."

Flashback to November 2015, and Sugar and Spice in their very early days.

Sugar getting her scritches in.

"An ENTIRE ham?!? For me?!?!"

"I am absolutely NOT going to launch myself at your ankles as you walk down this darkened stairwell, and frankly I am offended that you would even entertain such a thought."

"I don't remember giving you permission to get out of bed yet."

Smudge: "Has that sandwich you are eating been inspected? Did you know that eating an uninspected sandwich is unlawful in several jurisdictions? I and my associate are qualified sandwich inspectors and would be happy to inspect that sandwich at no cost to you, other than a mere percentage."

Spice is ready for another day of practicing editorial supervision. The human needs it, she assures you.