This morning at breakfast I had an especially hard time defending my food. I like to think that I don't ingest that many cat hairs, but who am I kidding, really? Still, I'm vigilant about protecting the six-inch circumference around my food.
I fix my breakfast on the counter, where no kitten has yet been caught. When all the elements are ready...plate, glass of water, mug o' tea, silverware...I juggle them all at once over to the kitchen table.
If, for whatever reason, I have to leave the kitchen, I pick everything up off the table and set it on the counter, then bring it all back once I return. Even if I just get up from the table to grab a forgotten napkin, I'll keep one eye upon my food. You wouldn't believe how fast kittens operate. Or maybe you would.
But just because I'm there, present, in front of my food, does not mean it's safe from kitten paw and kitten tooth. There's a certain arrangement of my plate and cups that I find especially helpful. Plate right on the edge of the table, directly in front of me. Water and tea both to the left of the plate, also on the edge of the table. Elbows out, left hand holding ever-present book, circling food and precious liquid and creating physical barrier. Right hand holding utensil or bagel or whatever... This right side is the weakest side. Ample opportunity for watchful kitten to sneak in and poke around.
This morning I had grapes. I think Meera can smell grapes from all the way across the house. Maybe this is partly my fault. I've been known to toss them through the air, all for the joy of watching kittens leap.
My table sits right in front of the window. Perfect, thinks Meera. I'll jump up on the 'forbidden' table. The lady will look up from her book with a stern expression, but I'll head right for the window and (this is crucial) sit down. She'll go back to her book. I'll listen for a page or two to turn, maybe she'll put down her bagel to take a sip of water...and that's when I'll make my move. I'll give a cute little mreow as I turn away from the window. I'll look her in the eye, as if what's out there can't really satisfy me; what I really want is some loving from her. How can she resist this? I'll sit real close to her right arm...I'll just sit...sit...sit. Ooooh, are those really grapes she's got on her plate?? So round, so plump, so tantalizingly bitable! Let me just reach out one paw and tap one. Just a quick feel, just to see if it squishes. Drat! She said the 'n' word!! Did she mean it? (Let me analyze the tone of her voice, how long she drew the word out, whether she looked at me or not...). Nope! She didn't mean it! So now let me just reach out and...
And so it goes. I had to sweep my Meerabelle off the table three times. Only now does it occur to me what I should have done...Distraction! Distraction! Distraction!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
C3.5, or: The cat who thought he was a dog
When Kai is feeling especially loving, or just in need of some good pet, he looks up at me and gives a half-cry. A little ripply 'mreo.' So I look down at him; we make eye contact. Then he ducks his head and rolls onto his back. His back legs stiffen and stretch way out, he cranes his neck as far back as it'll go, and just begs me to rub his belly.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sorting out the visitors
I've got one hand to rub Thing #2's head, and one hand to rub Thing #1's. But is #1 satisfied? Nooooo....
He wants ALL the attention ALL to himself. He actually pitches fits to keep #2 from getting her share. He rolls onto his back and grabs for #2's neck. He hisses, he spits, he yowls. Do cats go through a Terrible Two phase??
Thank god I don't have to take him shopping or to get his hair cut...
So my concession to his needs: I sit in a chair with Thing #2 in my lap, and let one hand dangle over the edge for Thing #1, who, apparently, never looks up...
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
It's true: once you begin collecting, the collectees begin finding you
Sunday morning I had three cats. Sunday evening I was up to five, moving right past the Eccentric phase and straight into Cat-Lady phase. But these two are Temporary, I tell you! Temporary!
They were living in squalid conditions, unacceptable conditions, and so they were removed to my house. The alternative was the pound or the street. I have been in negotiations with their caretaker; the vet will be contacted, local friendly no-kill shelters will be contacted...within a week, we hope, we'll be able to say...
"...And then there were 3..."
They were living in squalid conditions, unacceptable conditions, and so they were removed to my house. The alternative was the pound or the street. I have been in negotiations with their caretaker; the vet will be contacted, local friendly no-kill shelters will be contacted...within a week, we hope, we'll be able to say...
"...And then there were 3..."
Thursday, August 03, 2006
learning him
this evening as i typed, kai walked over and curled up in my lap. i wanted to give him a little special attention, so i stopped typing and rubbed the top of his head, lightly, using the tips of my fingers. but he ducked his head, so i stopped and tried something else. i reached beneath his chin and stroked the soft fur there...brat loves this. he'll extend his neck and push against my fingers, encouraging me to stroke harder. but kai had no reaction; instead he turned his face to the side, tucked his chin in.
in mild exasperation, i asked him aloud, "how do you like to be pet? i feel like i'm still learning you."
like driving a strange car for the first time, like learning a new lover, like moving to a new neighborhood,
you have to give yourself time to make mistakes. relish the strangeness of it. know that a week from now, or a month, or a year from now, there will be no questioning yourself. you'll know what to do and where to go. roughnesses will be rubbed smooth.
this learning, this exploration, is as much a source of joy as the sure knowledge that comes later.
i found kai's spot just now. it's that bare spot in front of his ears, with the full palm of my hand. he half-closes his eyelids; i see the white film from the corner of his eyes rise, and he holds very very still.
in mild exasperation, i asked him aloud, "how do you like to be pet? i feel like i'm still learning you."
like driving a strange car for the first time, like learning a new lover, like moving to a new neighborhood,
you have to give yourself time to make mistakes. relish the strangeness of it. know that a week from now, or a month, or a year from now, there will be no questioning yourself. you'll know what to do and where to go. roughnesses will be rubbed smooth.
this learning, this exploration, is as much a source of joy as the sure knowledge that comes later.
i found kai's spot just now. it's that bare spot in front of his ears, with the full palm of my hand. he half-closes his eyelids; i see the white film from the corner of his eyes rise, and he holds very very still.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
C3.4: the Trinity
Come home after a long day at the job(s). Immediately throw all bags on the floor, kick off shoes, remove sunglasses and dump keys on counter.
Take two steps away from the back door. Crouch. Listen for cats running down stairs, up stairs, off the couch, or off the (forbidden) table. Use forearms, hands, and elbows as you simultaneously pet a mass hello to your three babies...no one goes unloved at homecoming time.
Do they miss me, or are they just hungry? The cat-lady's eternal question. But push this aside...it's irrelevant, really...the cats and the human are each filling a need, and enjoying each other's company in the meantime. What more can you ask?
Take two steps away from the back door. Crouch. Listen for cats running down stairs, up stairs, off the couch, or off the (forbidden) table. Use forearms, hands, and elbows as you simultaneously pet a mass hello to your three babies...no one goes unloved at homecoming time.
Do they miss me, or are they just hungry? The cat-lady's eternal question. But push this aside...it's irrelevant, really...the cats and the human are each filling a need, and enjoying each other's company in the meantime. What more can you ask?
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