On Sat, 30 Aug 2003 16:08:26 -0400, "Bobcat"
wrote:


"Steve Touchstone" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 30 Aug 2003 10:29:09 -0400, "Bobcat"
wrote:

Of all the cats who've ever owned us, Martha our er, full-figured tortie
is
the most afraid of thunder storms. She senses them long before they
arrive,
and dives for her basement "bomb shelter" - a dark, quiet nook under my
workbench where I've left a chair cushion for her. She's more accurate
than
the official weather forecasts, which makes me think that Environment
Canada
should hire Martha part time. They could a detail to their local
forecasts,
e.g.: : "The cat scan reading for the Toronto area indicates
mid-afternoon
thunder storms..."


I don't remember who it was, but someone here once suggtested that it
may be that they can feel the change in pressure that comes with the
storm. Whatever it is, I also have a couple weather cats - more
accurate than the local TV channel. I used to let Little Bit out when
I went to work. She won't go out if it's going to rain, or get too
hot. And Sammy, who is scared of thundeerstorms, also hides well
before the storm arrives.

Of course I now have Rocky, and he's a total loss as far as weather
warnings go. Rocky lived as a feral, and weather doesn't bother him in
the least. As far as Little Bit and Sam are concerned, he just doesn't
act as a proper cat should. If it's hot and there's a mud puddle,
he'll lay in the mud - nevermind that he's mostly white and will this
be a muddy brown for several days. He'll sit in the middle of the lawn
and give himself a bath during a light rain, a kind of kitty shower.
Last night I let him inside for a little while, like I do most nights.
When he was ready to go, the fact that a storm had blown in didn't
faze him, he just wandered over to his favorite spot on the patio and
laid down, half in and half out of the rain.

Does Rocky book therapy sessions for fraidy-cats like Martha? She could use
some thunderstorm counselling from him. :)
(She just jumped up beside the computer and looked at me and mewed her tiny
mew enquiringly - no kidding!)
Bobcat


'fraid not. He doesn't even offer any counseling to Sammy, who is
deathly afraid of thunder. He doesn't see anything wrong with coming
inside wet from sitting in the rain and headbutting the girls -
something Little Bit and Sammy definitely do NOT appreciate. He does
enjoy a brisk rubbing off to dry off with a hand towell, though ;-)