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#1
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
This kind of branches off from Joy's "Rain" post, but...anybody beside me ever have a cat that could literally go all the way around a room or from the middle of one room to the other end of the next room without touching the floor? I've had two. My very first kitty, a calico named Natasha and usually called Tasha for short, used to do that in the living room. She'd start from the couch, jump onto the TV, and from there onto the playpen. She'd walk along the edge of the playpen until she got to the other end and jump onto the table next to the recliner in the corner, then leap to the recliner itself. From there, she would launch herself at the bathroom doorway, catching the molding on one side to propel herself across the doorway in mid-air...and upon getting to the molding on the other side of the doorway she'd repeat the process to redirect herself again...landing back on the couch where she started from. Then she'd sit there in the middle of the couch looking at me as if to ask, "Wanna go around again, fool?" And if you tried to grab her off the couch, she would indeed repeat the entire act. This, of course, was part of her training the humans in the house, and it was LESSON ONE: If a cat truly does not want to be caught... That was when I was in my early twenties. I'll turn 59 this February - provided, of course, that my current feline companion lets me live that long. She's a gray Tabby named Minnie who just joined me in October, and she often goes from the table in the middle of the dining room that my computer is on all the way to the couch at the far end of the living room without touching the floor (by way of three other tables and two recliners). Furthermore, from there she can easily get from the couch to the adjacent hallway and finally land in front of the door to the sun porch. Now, since the shortest distance between any two points is a straight line, she could get from the computer table to the door and only put on a third as much mileage if she went directly across the floor from the computer table to the door - but what fun would there be in that? :-) This has become part of Minnie's daily routine. We get up in the morning, and when we get to the kitchen, she eats while watching me make coffee. Once I have a hot cup of coffee in hand and head to the dining room table with it, she jumps up to look out the dining room windows, and if I've neglected to open the blinds so she can see outside, she'll remind me by banging noisily on the blinds with a paw until I open them for her. After she looks out there, she goes to the living room in the manner described above and stands on the back of the couch to look out front - and again, if the blinds aren't open, she'll demand in her customary manner that I open them for her immediately. She gets downright indignant about it if I haven't opened the blinds before sitting down with my cup of coffee! This morning, I remembered to open the blinds for her. She's standing over there on the back of the couch as I'm typing this, alternately looking out the window and over at me, giving me those slow kitty-kiss winks when she catches me looking at her - but you know what? I don't get those slow winks on mornings when she has to remind me to open the blinds! I've only had her since October, but already I could write a book. John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY |
#2
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On 1/13/2017 9:37 AM, John Kasupski wrote:
This kind of branches off from Joy's "Rain" post, but...anybody beside me ever have a cat that could literally go all the way around a room or from the middle of one room to the other end of the next room without touching the floor? I've had two. My very first kitty, a calico named Natasha and usually called Tasha for short, used to do that in the living room. She'd start from the couch, jump onto the TV, and from there onto the playpen. She'd walk along the edge of the playpen until she got to the other end and jump onto the table next to the recliner in the corner, then leap to the recliner itself. From there, she would launch herself at the bathroom doorway, catching the molding on one side to propel herself across the doorway in mid-air...and upon getting to the molding on the other side of the doorway she'd repeat the process to redirect herself again...landing back on the couch where she started from. Then she'd sit there in the middle of the couch looking at me as if to ask, "Wanna go around again, fool?" And if you tried to grab her off the couch, she would indeed repeat the entire act. This, of course, was part of her training the humans in the house, and it was LESSON ONE: If a cat truly does not want to be caught... That was when I was in my early twenties. I'll turn 59 this February - provided, of course, that my current feline companion lets me live that long. She's a gray Tabby named Minnie who just joined me in October, and she often goes from the table in the middle of the dining room that my computer is on all the way to the couch at the far end of the living room without touching the floor (by way of three other tables and two recliners). Furthermore, from there she can easily get from the couch to the adjacent hallway and finally land in front of the door to the sun porch. Now, since the shortest distance between any two points is a straight line, she could get from the computer table to the door and only put on a third as much mileage if she went directly across the floor from the computer table to the door - but what fun would there be in that? :-) This has become part of Minnie's daily routine. We get up in the morning, and when we get to the kitchen, she eats while watching me make coffee. Once I have a hot cup of coffee in hand and head to the dining room table with it, she jumps up to look out the dining room windows, and if I've neglected to open the blinds so she can see outside, she'll remind me by banging noisily on the blinds with a paw until I open them for her. After she looks out there, she goes to the living room in the manner described above and stands on the back of the couch to look out front - and again, if the blinds aren't open, she'll demand in her customary manner that I open them for her immediately. She gets downright indignant about it if I haven't opened the blinds before sitting down with my cup of coffee! This morning, I remembered to open the blinds for her. She's standing over there on the back of the couch as I'm typing this, alternately looking out the window and over at me, giving me those slow kitty-kiss winks when she catches me looking at her - but you know what? I don't get those slow winks on mornings when she has to remind me to open the blinds! I've only had her since October, but already I could write a book. John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY Yup. There's no education like a cat, is there? A few months ago I did a humorous speech about cats and dogs. I started by saying: "Whether training involves a dog or a cat, the first and most important thing is that the animal understands who is in charge. Once a dog understands that you are the boss, he will do everything he can to please you. Once a cat knows that you understand she is the boss, she will be pleased." Joy Simi Valley, CA |
#3
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:07:22 -0800, Joy wrote:
Yup. There's no education like a cat, is there? A few months ago I did a humorous speech about cats and dogs. I started by saying: "Whether training involves a dog or a cat, the first and most important thing is that the animal understands who is in charge. Once a dog understands that you are the boss, he will do everything he can to please you. Once a cat knows that you understand she is the boss, she will be pleased." I've often expressed a similar sentiment: When somebody gets a dog, they think to themselves, "Cool, I now own a dog" - but when somebody gets a cat, the cat thinks to itself, "Cool, I now own a human." John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY |
#4
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On 1/13/2017 11:52 AM, John Kasupski wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:07:22 -0800, Joy wrote: Yup. There's no education like a cat, is there? A few months ago I did a humorous speech about cats and dogs. I started by saying: "Whether training involves a dog or a cat, the first and most important thing is that the animal understands who is in charge. Once a dog understands that you are the boss, he will do everything he can to please you. Once a cat knows that you understand she is the boss, she will be pleased." I've often expressed a similar sentiment: When somebody gets a dog, they think to themselves, "Cool, I now own a dog" - but when somebody gets a cat, the cat thinks to itself, "Cool, I now own a human." John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY Yep. That is so true. |
#5
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On 1/13/2017 2:52 PM, John Kasupski wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:07:22 -0800, Joy wrote: Yup. There's no education like a cat, is there? A few months ago I did a humorous speech about cats and dogs. I started by saying: "Whether training involves a dog or a cat, the first and most important thing is that the animal understands who is in charge. Once a dog understands that you are the boss, he will do everything he can to please you. Once a cat knows that you understand she is the boss, she will be pleased." I've often expressed a similar sentiment: When somebody gets a dog, they think to themselves, "Cool, I now own a dog" - but when somebody gets a cat, the cat thinks to itself, "Cool, I now own a human." John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY My cat Persia (RB 2014) pretty much barged her way into my life. One cold January night (I lived in the Memphis, TN area at the time) she showed up at the back door to my patio, yowling her head off. I couldn't get her to go away. It was supposed to be abuut 23F that night so as darkness fell I drove to the store down the street. Grabbed a bag of kibble, a litter box and litter. Sure enough she was still there when I got back. I let her inside. I could tell immediately from her catitude, "Yep, I own you now!" Jill |
#6
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On Fri, 13 Jan 2017 19:53:58 -0500, jmcquown wrote:
My cat Persia (RB 2014) pretty much barged her way into my life. One cold January night (I lived in the Memphis, TN area at the time) she showed up at the back door to my patio, yowling her head off. I couldn't get her to go away. It was supposed to be about 23F that night so as darkness fell I drove to the store down the street. Grabbed a bag of kibble, a litter box and litter. Sure enough she was still there when I got back. I let her inside. I could tell immediately from her catitude, "Yep, I own you now!" Of course you let her in, because (a) there's no sense going to fetch all those kitty supplies if you're not going to let her in, and (b) since you're probably kicking the door open with your foot because your arms are loaded with kitty supplies, you're most likely in no position to stop her even if you wanted to! I think this just goes to show you what we cat lovers will do for our feline friends. I won't go out at night during the winter to get ME a bag of kibble! If it's not already in the house somewhere when the sun goes down, I'll do without it until morning. There are two exceptions to this: (1) the kitty (who BETTER be in the house somewhere!) and (2) anything the kitty needs. And needless to say, they can see that it's dark out and as soon as they see you go out to fetch them something anyway, they know they've got you. At any rate, I'd bet my last dollar you were glad she was still there when you got back - and not solely because if she'd left during your supply run, you'd have probably felt a little foolish standing out there in the freezing cold with all those brand new kitty supplies, but no kitty. I know I would have! John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY |
#7
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On 1/14/2017 12:43 AM, John Kasupski wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jan 2017 19:53:58 -0500, jmcquown wrote: My cat Persia (RB 2014) pretty much barged her way into my life. One cold January night (I lived in the Memphis, TN area at the time) she showed up at the back door to my patio, yowling her head off. I couldn't get her to go away. It was supposed to be about 23F that night so as darkness fell I drove to the store down the street. Grabbed a bag of kibble, a litter box and litter. Sure enough she was still there when I got back. I let her inside. I could tell immediately from her catitude, "Yep, I own you now!" Of course you let her in, because (a) there's no sense going to fetch all those kitty supplies if you're not going to let her in, and (b) since you're probably kicking the door open with your foot because your arms are loaded with kitty supplies, you're most likely in no position to stop her even if you wanted to! I think this just goes to show you what we cat lovers will do for our feline friends. I won't go out at night during the winter to get ME a bag of kibble! If it's not already in the house somewhere when the sun goes down, I'll do without it until morning. There are two exceptions to this: (1) the kitty (who BETTER be in the house somewhere!) and (2) anything the kitty needs. And needless to say, they can see that it's dark out and as soon as they see you go out to fetch them something anyway, they know they've got you. At any rate, I'd bet my last dollar you were glad she was still there when you got back - and not solely because if she'd left during your supply run, you'd have probably felt a little foolish standing out there in the freezing cold with all those brand new kitty supplies, but no kitty. I know I would have! John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY LOL Well, she was at the back door and I came in through the front. I figured if she was gone I could just take the stuff back to the store the next day. I did try to find out where she came from. Put up fliers and called the area vets and the shelter. No one had reported her missing. She was a lovely grey cat, looked like a Russian Blue. She was very smart. I used to give her a can of Fancy Feast as a treat every Sunday. The food was stored in the pantry in the kitchen; the shelves in the pantry were set off to the side and I had a large kitchen trash can right in front of the shelves. One *Saturday* I walked into the kitchen to discover she'd opened the pantry door, maneuvered around the trash can and knocked a can of FF down. She scooted it to the middle of the kitchen floor. Then she sat down next to it and waited... when I walked into the kitchen and saw her I burst out laughing! Of course she was rewarded for that clever trick. Jill |
#8
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On Sat, 14 Jan 2017 09:17:19 -0500, jmcquown wrote:
LOL Well, she was at the back door and I came in through the front. I figured if she was gone I could just take the stuff back to the store the next day. I did try to find out where she came from. Put up fliers and called the area vets and the shelter. No one had reported her missing. She was a lovely grey cat, looked like a Russian Blue. I had a male Russian Blue - Charlie (RB). Outstanding cat. Ranks #2 on my all-time list, behind only the legendary Goldie (RB). She was very smart. I used to give her a can of Fancy Feast as a treat every Sunday. The food was stored in the pantry in the kitchen; the shelves in the pantry were set off to the side and I had a large kitchen trash can right in front of the shelves. One *Saturday* I walked into the kitchen to discover she'd opened the pantry door, maneuvered around the trash can and knocked a can of FF down. She scooted it to the middle of the kitchen floor. Then she sat down next to it and waited... when I walked into the kitchen and saw her I burst out laughing! Of course she was rewarded for that clever trick. Awwwww. :-) Some cats seem to excel at dropping very strong hints like that. Minnie's little catnip mouse on a kitty fishing pole has an electronic squaker inside of it. She also has a non-catnip mouse with a squeaker in it. To tell me when she wants me to get out the catnip one and play with her, she goes and gets the other one and drops it right next to my feet, then stands there with one front paw repeatedly pushing on it to make it squeak while she stares up at me. Only a complete idiot who pays no attention at all to her could possibly fail to understand precisely what she's trying to tell me. We just finished playing with it 20 minutes ago, and right now she's all curled up asleep on the floor below me with her head and both front paws on my right foot using it as a pillow. That's not a difficult message to understand either. John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY |
#9
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On 1/14/2017 2:24 PM, John Kasupski wrote:
On Sat, 14 Jan 2017 09:17:19 -0500, jmcquown wrote: LOL Well, she was at the back door and I came in through the front. I figured if she was gone I could just take the stuff back to the store the next day. I did try to find out where she came from. Put up fliers and called the area vets and the shelter. No one had reported her missing. She was a lovely grey cat, looked like a Russian Blue. I had a male Russian Blue - Charlie (RB). Outstanding cat. Ranks #2 on my all-time list, behind only the legendary Goldie (RB). She was very smart. I used to give her a can of Fancy Feast as a treat every Sunday. The food was stored in the pantry in the kitchen; the shelves in the pantry were set off to the side and I had a large kitchen trash can right in front of the shelves. One *Saturday* I walked into the kitchen to discover she'd opened the pantry door, maneuvered around the trash can and knocked a can of FF down. She scooted it to the middle of the kitchen floor. Then she sat down next to it and waited... when I walked into the kitchen and saw her I burst out laughing! Of course she was rewarded for that clever trick. Awwwww. :-) Some cats seem to excel at dropping very strong hints like that. Minnie's little catnip mouse on a kitty fishing pole has an electronic squaker inside of it. She also has a non-catnip mouse with a squeaker in it. To tell me when she wants me to get out the catnip one and play with her, she goes and gets the other one and drops it right next to my feet, then stands there with one front paw repeatedly pushing on it to make it squeak while she stares up at me. Only a complete idiot who pays no attention at all to her could possibly fail to understand precisely what she's trying to tell me. We just finished playing with it 20 minutes ago, and right now she's all curled up asleep on the floor below me with her head and both front paws on my right foot using it as a pillow. That's not a difficult message to understand either. John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY Right. "Don't go anywhere until I'm ready to have you do something else." They're very good at training us. Joy |
#10
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Flying Kitty, Anyone?
On 1/16/2017 4:28 AM, Judith Latham wrote:
In article , John Kasupski wrote: This kind of branches off from Joy's "Rain" post, but...anybody beside me ever have a cat that could literally go all the way around a room or from the middle of one room to the other end of the next room without touching the floor? snipped She gets downright indignant about it if I haven't opened the blinds before sitting down with my cup of coffee! This morning, I remembered to open the blinds for her. She's standing over there on the back of the couch as I'm typing this, alternately looking out the window and over at me, giving me those slow kitty-kiss winks when she catches me looking at her - but you know what? I don't get those slow winks on mornings when she has to remind me to open the blinds! I've only had her since October, but already I could write a book. John D. Kasupski Niagara Falls, NY My first cat, Sweep, had to take tablets everyday usually this was in some food but when she wasn't eating it was a battle. one day DH had her wrapped in a towel (not an easy thing to achieve) and had her on his lap in the dining room to try to pill her. She was having none of this and escaped, jumping out of DH's reach and leaping into the air. As my DH was trying to catch her she was using his arms and hands to keep herself in the air. She was in effect flying around the room. This went on for several minutes until Sweep realised she was heading for the window and couldn't change direction so she just stopped. DH managed to catch her as she dropped and she took the pill no problem. Judith Lindy (RB) used to make me chase her around the house to give her a pill. However, after a couple of minutes of running, she would jump up on the couch or a bed and wait docilely. She didn't fight at all when I gave here the pill, but she had to have that chase first. |
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