by Curt Kovener
This is one of those topics I probably should avoid. Similar to the axiom that politics and religion should never be discussed in polite company.
But let us plunge ahead because I see no reason to shy from this pet topic.
I am not particularly fond of cats.
Cats are sneaky, Cats are conniving. Cats can be intentionally dumb and loving at the most inopportune times.
Cats wait until you’re not around and then sharpen their claws on furniture. And when you confront them about their crime they look at you indignantly as if to say, “Whatever are you talking about.”
Cats wait until you’re asleep in the recliner and then jump on the kitchen counter to clean up any left over food that you might have left out while you take an after lunch snooze.
So let me introduce Willow the cat— a caramel and chocolate tortoise shell kitty.
Ever since her early years, Willow has earned her keep. And I have not a problem with her onslaught on rodents mice, voles, shrews, even the occasional chipmunk is fine as we have plenty of them in the wilderness. They replicate faster than most everything. But I do wish the little killing machine would leave the birds, skinks, baby rabbits and flying squirrels alone.
Cats don’t understand doors. Let them through and shut the door, they want to go back out wondering why they can get back through the opening they just used.
Close the door to go to the bathroom and Willow is there wanting to be let in to her litter box. Let her in & shut the door she sits at the door and stares. Open it and she still sits there as it to say, “Do you know how funny you look sitting on that porcelain throne with your pants down around your ankles?” Certainly not near as dignified as a litter box.
Cats don’t like loud noises. Clap your hands, stomp your foot, and drop something on the floor and the cat is out of the room in no time. However, if I am sound asleep, Willow thinks it is quite socially appropriate to jump fom the floor onto my stomach to make her way to a spot on the bed.
At 3 a.m. she wants in to be fed. At 3:15 she wants her food adjusted. At 3:25 she wants back out. And about the time I fall back to sleeps the dog begins the same routine.
So during my annual doctor’s visit when the nurse asks how I sleep at night, I respond, “We have a dog and cat.”
“Yeah,” she replies, “So do we. I know what you mean.”
When Willow is asleep and I return the favor or a loud cough or sneeze, the cat just can’t understand why I would disturb her from peaceful slumber.
Willow is an only cat on the 76-acre Wilderness. Well that’s not true since our trail cameras have shown bobcats hunting rodents on the dam. And that’s OK as we have plenty of rodents for all. And from the odor wafting from the woodshed floor, they like to use it for their litterbox. Because of that, Willow make no effort to darken the woodshed door.
And she has wisely learned to come in the house when the coyotes start howling.
Now in her senior years, Emma the Great Pyrenees is less tolerant of the cat occasionally offering her feline sister a “my patience is growing thin” growl. Not that I encourage her but it does give me some quiet satisfaction.
Tell your dog I said Hi.