My goofy boycat, Robin

Christina Websell wrote:

wrote in message

I think it might be because he doesn't *need* to play - he has the
real thing! Play is all about predatory behavior, and he can do that
any time he wants.

Do you think that is why he doesn't play?
It would be such a relief not to wonder why he doesn't respond. He will not
sit in a cardboard box like the other RSPA kitties do either.
I got him one and he ignored it.
He has no interest in playing at all.
I'd love it if he played like Christine's Robin. It did my heart good to
hear about it.

Here's what I know about it, gleaned from things I've read, nature shows
I've seen, etc. I'm not an expert on this subject, though, so take it for
what it's worth.

In the wild, baby felines (of various species) play a lot, and most of it
is focused on predatory behavior - stalking, chasing, pouncing, kicking,
scratching and biting, etc. Their mothers encourage this behavior by playing
with them - it's part of teaching them how to hunt. But as far as I know,
adult wild felines don't play (except mothers with their babies). They've
learned the skills already, so they don't need play.

A common theory about why adult domestic cats play is that they remain
in a kitten-like state throughout their lives, and their humans substitute
for their mother. So even if a housecat knows how to hunt, they will
still engage in play because they're still in a child role with their
human "mother".

I'm not sure why adult wild species of felines in captivity play, but
I've seen it, so I know it happens. They don't have the same genetic
disposition to remain docile and childlike that a domesticated cat has,
but maybe all it takes is the experience of dependency to induce those
dynamics and behaviors?

Well, this is embarrassing - I just realized I've totally contradicted
my own theory about why Boyfie doesn't play. He's a domestic cat, so
according to what I just said, he should have retained kitten behaviors
throughout adulthood. Hmm... maybe even domestic cats are less likely
to play if they are capable of being independent regarding food, etc?
Something tells me that's not the case, though. Plenty of people have
indoor/outdoor cats who hunt regularly, deliver dead rats on the doorstep,
etc, but still play with their human.

Well, drat. Back to the drawing board on this one... Anyone else
want to weigh in?

Joyce

--
I promise I will meditate more closely upon the causal relationship
between going dumpster diving on Sunday afternoon and projectile
vomiting Monday, and being brought to the Evil Place Where They Stick
Things Up My Butt on Tuesday evening. -- Cat Resolutions

Christine Burel wrote:
Robin is my somewhat roundish silly black boycat who came into our lives
during the summer of 2003, along with Tucker, his cat buddy. Robin had
to learn how to play just like Tucker did because I guess when you're
struggling to make it as a stray there is no time to for fun because
you're too busy just trying to survive.

Robin, having discovered the joys of "PLAYTIME," goes after it with
great gusto. He jumps up on the cat tree and immediately turns
upsidedown with all four paws in the air, wrestles the dangling toy
hanging on it, hauls himself all over it, and we're all watching him
wondering if he can continue to defy the laws of gravity!

He and I recently discovered a brand new game. I had crocheted a series
of cat toys that I was trying out to see if I could make some for the
kitties in our rescue group. They're like balls on a string so you can
dangle them overhead.
Robin, decided he's a mighty hunter and when I dangle the toy, he MUST
have it so he can drag his prey into his lair (which happens to be under
the art table in our living room). He picks up the ball in his mouth
trailing the string and makes a beeline for his lair. He then starts
stomping his feet up and down treading on the string part, all the
while, purring up a storm, and "quacking" his special triumphant call of
the conqueror with the captured prey in his mouth. Robin's voice is like
no other - he could be a dead ringer for a duck or a sheep, especially
with this particular call. I then sort of sneakily try to get the toy
back and the whole game begins again. So, I have about 4 or 5 of these
toys of various sizes and shapes and we have spent a lot of time in the
evenings recently, replaying this scenario out, over and over. He never
tires of it and will come running to play this game if he even sees me
go near one of these toys. He'll even get Tucker going into nursing on
his "blankie" beside the art table and meowing with his blanket in his
mouth! Tucker also has a particular meow with this behavior and so, I
can have a regular back-and-forth cat symphony going on. Robin will
sometimes even paw at Tucker with the toy in his mouth and cause Tucker
to sqawk in surprise with his mouth full, too. Celeste and I laugh
ourselves silly over this.
Christine

That is so funny. Can you get video?

Pam S. chuckling

Hi Pam,
Glad you enjoyed it - it is a crackup to watch, and yes, I will work on
seeing if I can get a video clip (Alex has a Flip video cam, but he has to
"find it" in the mess that is his room.) Have never posted a video before,
should I try to get it on youtube? It may take a few days but we'll try.
Christine
P.S. Do you or anyone else in rpca recall if I posted anything here about
a cat named Gritz from our rescue group that I flew to Tampa this past
summer? If not, then I'll try and get a story up about him soon.
Christine

"tanadashoes" wrote in message
...
Christine Burel wrote:
Robin is my somewhat roundish silly black boycat who came into our lives
during the summer of 2003, along with Tucker, his cat buddy. Robin had
to learn how to play just like Tucker did because I guess when you're
struggling to make it as a stray there is no time to for fun because
you're too busy just trying to survive.

Robin, having discovered the joys of "PLAYTIME," goes after it with great
gusto. He jumps up on the cat tree and immediately turns upsidedown with
all four paws in the air, wrestles the dangling toy hanging on it, hauls
himself all over it, and we're all watching him wondering if he can
continue to defy the laws of gravity!

He and I recently discovered a brand new game. I had crocheted a series
of cat toys that I was trying out to see if I could make some for the
kitties in our rescue group. They're like balls on a string so you can
dangle them overhead.
Robin, decided he's a mighty hunter and when I dangle the toy, he MUST
have it so he can drag his prey into his lair (which happens to be under
the art table in our living room). He picks up the ball in his mouth
trailing the string and makes a beeline for his lair. He then starts
stomping his feet up and down treading on the string part, all the while,
purring up a storm, and "quacking" his special triumphant call of the
conqueror with the captured prey in his mouth. Robin's voice is like no
other - he could be a dead ringer for a duck or a sheep, especially with
this particular call. I then sort of sneakily try to get the toy back
and the whole game begins again. So, I have about 4 or 5 of these toys
of various sizes and shapes and we have spent a lot of time in the
evenings recently, replaying this scenario out, over and over. He never
tires of it and will come running to play this game if he even sees me go
near one of these toys. He'll even get Tucker going into nursing on his
"blankie" beside the art table and meowing with his blanket in his mouth!
Tucker also has a particular meow with this behavior and so, I can have a
regular back-and-forth cat symphony going on. Robin will sometimes even
paw at Tucker with the toy in his mouth and cause Tucker to sqawk in
surprise with his mouth full, too. Celeste and I laugh ourselves silly
over this.
Christine

That is so funny. Can you get video?

Pam S. chuckling

Christine Burel wrote:
Hi Pam,
Glad you enjoyed it - it is a crackup to watch, and yes, I will work on
seeing if I can get a video clip (Alex has a Flip video cam, but he has
to "find it" in the mess that is his room.) Have never posted a video
before, should I try to get it on youtube? It may take a few days but
we'll try.
Christine
P.S. Do you or anyone else in rpca recall if I posted anything here
about a cat named Gritz from our rescue group that I flew to Tampa
this past summer? If not, then I'll try and get a story up about him soon.
Christine


I vaguely recall Gritz because of the name, but I don't recall much else
about it. I'd love to read about him.

I'd love to name a cat Yehuddah, especially a mischievous, playful one,
with a bad attitude. JEM is also a possible name as are the other ones
that pop into mind from time to time.

An acquaintance had two cats, Nomad and Sargent. I thought those were
great names for a military cat, as is Huey.

Pam S.

tanadashoes wrote:
Christine Burel wrote:
Hi Pam,
Glad you enjoyed it - it is a crackup to watch, and yes, I will work
on seeing if I can get a video clip (Alex has a Flip video cam, but he
has to "find it" in the mess that is his room.) Have never posted a
video before, should I try to get it on youtube? It may take a few
days but we'll try.
Christine
P.S. Do you or anyone else in rpca recall if I posted anything here
about a cat named Gritz from our rescue group that I flew to Tampa
this past summer? If not, then I'll try and get a story up about him
soon.
Christine


I vaguely recall Gritz because of the name, but I don't recall much else
about it. I'd love to read about him.

I'd love to name a cat Yehuddah, especially a mischievous, playful one,
with a bad attitude. JEM is also a possible name as are the other ones
that pop into mind from time to time.

An acquaintance had two cats, Nomad and Sargent. I thought those were
great names for a military cat, as is Huey.

Pam S.

When I was about nine years old, the father of a playmate had a pregnant
stray blue cat walk into their house. He looked at her and said "Gee
Whizz". That became her name. GW was the mother of my first cat,
Frisky I always adored Gee Whizz and she "blessed" them with many
kittens There are some sad parts to her story, but they will be shelved
for now. Best wishes. MLB

On Mar 29, 3:19*pm, "Christina Websell"
wrote:
wrote in message

...





Christina Websell wrote:

It's great that he's learned to play after his bad start, I wish Boyfie
would. *I got him in 2003 in similar circumstances to your boys, but try
as
I might to tempt him with feathers-on-a-stick, dragged along string,
pretend
mousies etc, he looks as me as if I am mad and stalks off.
He will occasionally agree to get a bit stoned on der nip but that's as
far
as it goes.
I am not sure if it's due to his previous experiences or just because
he's a
very dignified cat.

I think it might be because he doesn't *need* to play - he has the
real thing! Play is all about predatory behavior, and he can do that
any time he wants.
--

Do you think that is why he doesn't play?
It would be such a relief not to wonder why he doesn't respond. He will not
sit in a cardboard box like the other RSPA kitties do either.
I got him one and he ignored *it.
He has no interest in playing at all.
I'd love it if he played like Christine's Robin. *It did my heart good to
hear about it.

I think Boyfriend is too serious for his own good.
I want him to enjoy his life - after all he what more could he want? *He has
acres to roam in, he can catch mousies and very small ratties and he has his
own bedroom with a duvet which he retires to when it all gets too much...
Like when he accidentally *got shut out overnight. *In for his brekkie and
then in his bedroom all day, as he claims he could not sleep a wink in the
conservatory.

Tweed- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Is it possible he was taken from his mama too soon? I have read where
that can a definite impact on a feline's play. As if the learned part
of play with mama and fellow litter mates was denied...? Can't
remember the citation, was quite a while ago, but I remember it
catching my attention back then.

Joani

Joani H wrote:

Is it possible he was taken from his mama too soon? I have read where
that can a definite impact on a feline's play. As if the learned part
of play with mama and fellow litter mates was denied...? Can't
remember the citation, was quite a while ago, but I remember it
catching my attention back then.

This is exactly what I was thinking when I read Joyce's post about
kittens of various feline species playing with their mother and
siblings. Maybe poor Boyfie didn't get enough time with his family. Some
people still think it's OK to separate kittens from their mother at 8 or
even 5-6 weeks.

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban.
In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

Christina Websell wrote:
wrote in message
...
Christina Websell wrote:

It's great that he's learned to play after his bad start, I wish Boyfie
would. I got him in 2003 in similar circumstances to your boys, but try
as
I might to tempt him with feathers-on-a-stick, dragged along string,
pretend
mousies etc, he looks as me as if I am mad and stalks off.
He will occasionally agree to get a bit stoned on der nip but that's as
far
as it goes.
I am not sure if it's due to his previous experiences or just because
he's a
very dignified cat.
I think it might be because he doesn't *need* to play - he has the
real thing! Play is all about predatory behavior, and he can do that
any time he wants.
--

Do you think that is why he doesn't play?
It would be such a relief not to wonder why he doesn't respond. He will not
sit in a cardboard box like the other RSPA kitties do either.
I got him one and he ignored it.
He has no interest in playing at all.
I'd love it if he played like Christine's Robin. It did my heart good to
hear about it.

I think Boyfriend is too serious for his own good.
I want him to enjoy his life - after all he what more could he want? He has
acres to roam in, he can catch mousies and very small ratties and he has his
own bedroom with a duvet which he retires to when it all gets too much...
Like when he accidentally got shut out overnight. In for his brekkie and
then in his bedroom all day, as he claims he could not sleep a wink in the
conservatory.

Tweed





Have you ever tried Boyfie with a laser pointer, I've yet to meet a cat
that doesn't react.

--
Adrian (Owned by Bagheera & Shadow)
Cats leave pawprints on your heart
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk

wrote in message
...
Christina Websell wrote:

wrote in message

I think it might be because he doesn't *need* to play - he has the
real thing! Play is all about predatory behavior, and he can do that
any time he wants.

Do you think that is why he doesn't play?
It would be such a relief not to wonder why he doesn't respond. He will
not
sit in a cardboard box like the other RSPA kitties do either.
I got him one and he ignored it.
He has no interest in playing at all.
I'd love it if he played like Christine's Robin. It did my heart good
to
hear about it.

Here's what I know about it, gleaned from things I've read, nature shows
I've seen, etc. I'm not an expert on this subject, though, so take it for
what it's worth.

In the wild, baby felines (of various species) play a lot, and most of it
is focused on predatory behavior - stalking, chasing, pouncing, kicking,
scratching and biting, etc. Their mothers encourage this behavior by
playing
with them - it's part of teaching them how to hunt. But as far as I know,
adult wild felines don't play (except mothers with their babies). They've
learned the skills already, so they don't need play.

A common theory about why adult domestic cats play is that they remain
in a kitten-like state throughout their lives, and their humans substitute
for their mother. So even if a housecat knows how to hunt, they will
still engage in play because they're still in a child role with their
human "mother".

I'm not sure why adult wild species of felines in captivity play, but
I've seen it, so I know it happens. They don't have the same genetic
disposition to remain docile and childlike that a domesticated cat has,
but maybe all it takes is the experience of dependency to induce those
dynamics and behaviors?

Well, this is embarrassing - I just realized I've totally contradicted
my own theory about why Boyfie doesn't play. He's a domestic cat, so
according to what I just said, he should have retained kitten behaviors
throughout adulthood. Hmm... maybe even domestic cats are less likely
to play if they are capable of being independent regarding food, etc?
Something tells me that's not the case, though. Plenty of people have
indoor/outdoor cats who hunt regularly, deliver dead rats on the doorstep,
etc, but still play with their human.

Well, drat. Back to the drawing board on this one... Anyone else
want to weigh in?

g Yes, you did contradict yourself but no problem.
Boyfriend will not play, despite all my efforts to get him to.
It was so nice to read Christine's post about Robin finally being able to.

Boyfie is a cat who takes himself very seriously. I'd like him to have more
fun. But maybe my idea of fun for him isn't his.
He is startled by my idea of waving feathers-on-a-stick or giving him
pretend mousies or cardboard boxes to sit in.
He just goes outside to threaten the ratties and is sure I am "not quite the
ticket"
I think he sighs with relief if I do not want him to play.
Tweed

"Joani H" wrote in message far

Is it possible he was taken from his mama too soon? I have read where
that can a definite impact on a feline's play. As if the learned part
of play with mama and fellow litter mates was denied...? Can't
remember the citation, was quite a while ago, but I remember it
catching my attention back then.
--------------
I don't know. He came straying as a lost teenager and if KFC had not
accepted him in her garden then, which she fiercely protected, and then
allowed him into the house eventually, I dread to think what might have
happened to him.
He would have died as he had no clue about looking after himself by hunting
at that time.
It's certain that he came from a nice home by his posh collar but his people
had never thought to microchip him. He is microchipped now to my address.
I wonder if his previous owner still miss him? I would, he's a delight.
Tweed