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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2005What the ...
For the first time since she was a kitten, I found Oscar on a kitchen chair today, eyeing my cereal covetously. Now, you have to understand, Oscar does *not* get on chairs. She hasn't been on a chair since she was a kitten, at which point she could do a really neat balancing act on the chairback ... but I digress. Oscar knows she's not supposed to be on kitchen furniture, and she doesn't go there. Except, today, there she was. In my shock, I yelled at her. "OSCAR, GET OFF OF THERE!" She freaked and ran. I felt guilty for being so aggressive. I think she's been getting more kittenish, curious, and self-confident lately, and I want to encourage that. I just don't want her on the kitchen chairs. Anyway, that's not the *really* weird thing. The really weird thing was a few minutes later, when I startled her by walking. Yes, walking. Oscar is a skittish creature, and just walking in her direction will sometimes spook her. Other times, she'll roll over and show her belly. Or try to grab your foot. Consistancy, thy name is not Oscar. Okay, so I take a step in her direction, and she spooks, and ... instead of running, she does the sideways-jumping-with-tail-straight-up thing. For real. I don't think I've ever seen an adult cat do this; I've only seen kittens do it. So now I feel bad, because apparently Oscar (sometimes) sees me as enough of a threat that she has to do her pufferfish impression. I assume that's what the sideways thing is all about: looking bigger to scare away big baddies.  Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* > For the first time since she was a kitten, I found Oscar on a kitchen chair > today, eyeing my cereal covetously. [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > threat that she has to do her pufferfish impression. I assume that's what the > sideways thing is all about: looking bigger to scare away big baddies. Well, in general, you don't have to panic when they are somewhere where they shouldn't be. I don't have to yell. Just a "Get. Down." firmly usually does it. THen again. She could be messing with your mind. > Well, in general, you don't have to panic when they are somewhere where they > shouldn't be. I don't have to yell. Just a "Get. Down." firmly usually does > it. THen again. She could be messing with your mind. Of course I don't. I don't know why my reaction was so drastic, honestly. That's not the way I typically deal with kitty misbehavior. I think I was just surprised, and maybe rabidly defending my cereal. As for messing with my mind; that's a constant =P It's just the particulars that change. Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* > > Well, in general, you don't have to panic when they are somewhere where > > they [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > was > just surprised, and maybe rabidly defending my cereal. Oh dear. Rabid defense might be an early warning of cereal killer tendencies. >> Of course I don't. I don't know why my reaction was so drastic, honestly. >> That's not the way I typically deal with kitty misbehavior. I think I was >> just surprised, and maybe rabidly defending my cereal. > > Oh dear. Rabid defense might be an early warning of cereal killer > tendencies. Owwwwwww. Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* >> > Well, in general, you don't have to panic when they are somewhere where >> > they [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >Oh dear. Rabid defense might be an early warning of cereal killer >tendencies. Oh you beat me!!!!!!!!! :P Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com (snippety) > Okay, so I take a step in her direction, and she spooks, and ... instead of > running, she does the sideways-jumping-with-tail-straight-up thing. For real. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > threat that she has to do her pufferfish impression. I assume that's what the > sideways thing is all about: looking bigger to scare away big baddies. I dunno; I never saw my RB Mikey do that in response to a real threat, but he did it a lot when he was playing. He would hop sideways (we called it crabwalking) at us and then run at top speed all around the house, wanting us to chase him. Maybe Oscar was wanting to play? ------ Krista > I dunno; I never saw my RB Mikey do that in response to a real threat, but > he did it a lot when he was playing. He would hop sideways (we called it > crabwalking) at us and then run at top speed all around the house, wanting > us to chase him. Maybe Oscar was wanting to play? ------ Krista Ooh, maybe so. If she does it again, I'll have to experiment. Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* > > I dunno; I never saw my RB Mikey do that in response to a real threat, > > but [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Ooh, maybe so. If she does it again, I'll have to experiment. Clifford (RB) did something along these lines, but when he was trying to protect me from what he thought was a real threat. I had had someone working in the house, who didn't tell me she was going to mop the floor outside my office. I stepped out and water-skiied across the living room, slamming into a wall, and breaking my ankle and lower leg. My household helper decided the thing to do was straighten my leg and massage it, and I didn't have enough breath left to scream. Clifford dashed over, slammed his body into her hands, and then went into a stiff-legged hop around me, making odd sounds, somewhere between a grown and a hiss. It seemed fairly clear Cattish for "Call 911, stupid human!". He had a different growl-like sound that meant "Take ME to the cat ER, stupid human!" > Clifford (RB) did something along these lines, but when he was trying to > protect me from what he thought was a real threat. I had had someone [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > My household helper decided the thing to do was straighten my leg and > massage it, and I didn't have enough breath left to scream. Clifford > dashed over, slammed his body into her hands, and then went into a > stiff-legged hop around me, making odd sounds, somewhere between a grown > and a hiss. It seemed fairly clear Cattish for "Call 911, stupid > human!". He had a different growl-like sound that meant "Take ME to the > cat ER, stupid human!" What a brave boy, taking on a human to protect his daddy! Was it worrying to know that your cat was smarter than your housekeeper? Or was that hardly news? ;-) ------ Krista > > Clifford (RB) did something along these lines, but when he was trying > to [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > worrying to know that your cat was smarter than your housekeeper? Or > was that hardly news? ;-) The message came in loud and clear the _second_ time she caused me to break my ankle. I very carefully disable the snap doorknob locks on my exterior doors, even taping the button in the unlocked position. My rationale is that I have strong deadbolts for providing security, and I can't lock myself out without using a key. She decided, for some reason, to clean the doorknobs and take off the tape. Late at night, I took out some garbage, just throwing on a pair of pants without keys. I was locked out, and eventually had to break a window -- still fairly high above the floor. I landed on my ankle. Guess what???? Clifford was really an exceptionally intelligent cat, although there was a strong possibility he regarded himself as a dog. The trust and protection was mutual -- I've previously mentioned the time he got stuck in a tree, but was willing to jump into my arms. On the other hand, Clifford, at a time when he was 16 pounds of rippling muscle, looking like a small black panther, stood on the front step and confronted the neighborhood tomcat. Charlie was less than half Clifford's size, even before Clifford went into full back arch, fur on end, hissing. Charlie rather idly glanced at Clifford, and gave a look that translated "Were you addressing me...eunuch?" Clifford stopped, thought, and ran back in the house and hid. (snippety) > Charlie rather idly glanced at Clifford, and gave a look that translated > "Were you addressing me...eunuch?" Clifford stopped, thought, and ran > back in the house and hid. Well yeah. Smart kitties have all heard that discretion/valor cliche and know there's something to it. Charlie had more to lose. ;-) ------ Krista >(snippety) >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >------ >Krista When Mimi did it, we called it the Mimi Haka. ;) It looked just like the Maori dance (also done by rugby teams). ;) http://tinyurl.com/3hcpu Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com > When Mimi did it, we called it the Mimi Haka. ;) It looked just like > the Maori dance (also done by rugby teams). ;) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh > My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Hmm. I watched this dance on the link you gave, but it didn't remind me of Mikey at all. Maybe he was doing it wrong. That could account for why he was always convinced he looked utterly ferocious, but to me he looked absolutely hilarious. Occasionally when he'd do it and I'd laugh, he'd look terribly crestfallen and I would feel soooo guilty. ------ Krista Missing Mikey today >> When Mimi did it, we called it the Mimi Haka. ;) It looked just like >> the Maori dance (also done by rugby teams). ;) [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Krista > Missing Mikey today have you guys seen Whale Rider? Lovely film. I loved all the dancing and chanting. Mesmerizing. The whole tongue thing is amazing. >>> When Mimi did it, we called it the Mimi Haka. ;) It looked just like >>> the Maori dance (also done by rugby teams). ;) [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >have you guys seen Whale Rider? Lovely film. I loved all the dancing and >chanting. Mesmerizing. The whole tongue thing is amazing. Yes, loved it too. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com >>> When Mimi did it, we called it the Mimi Haka. ;) It looked just >>> like the Maori dance (also done by rugby teams). ;) [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > have you guys seen Whale Rider? Lovely film. I loved all the dancing > and chanting. Mesmerizing. The whole tongue thing is amazing. A wonderfull film. Try watching with the directors commentry, it's surprising how many scenes have cats in them. One cat in particular followed the crew arround all the time, they gave him the nickname 'Ringworm'. :-) SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. > (snippety) > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > called it crabwalking) at us and then run at top speed all around the > house, wanting us to chase him. Maybe Oscar was wanting to play? When we got Snickelfritz (RB), my roommate tried not to get too friendly with her, under the mistaken impression that I wanted Snicky to be MY cat, and cats didn't bond with more than one person at a time. Snicky tried everything she knew to get Jean to play with her, and the behavior you and Monique describe is exactly what she used to do -- act startled and dance away sideways. Nina in Texas, servant to: Snickelfritz (RB), Pixel (RB 12/03), Rusty (RB 9/04), Seth (RB 12/04), Skeeter, Kyle, Jake, and Fred SignatureProfessional proofreading doesn’t cost – it pays! ninaproofs@earthlink.net www.ninaproofs.com (snip) >> I dunno; I never saw my RB Mikey do that in response to a real threat, >> but he did it a lot when he was playing. He would hop sideways (we [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >you and Monique describe is exactly what she used to do -- act startled >and dance away sideways. Accompanied (on a wood floor), by "SKSH SKSH SKSH" noises. ;) Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com > When we got Snickelfritz (RB), my roommate tried not to get too friendly > with her, under the mistaken impression that I wanted Snicky to be MY cat, > and cats didn't bond with more than one person at a time. Snicky tried > everything she knew to get Jean to play with her, and the behavior you and > Monique describe is exactly what she used to do -- act startled and dance > away sideways. Silly roomie! Did she ever make friends with Snicky? Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* >>When we got Snickelfritz (RB), my roommate tried not to get too friendly >>with her, under the mistaken impression that I wanted Snicky to be MY cat, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Silly roomie! Did she ever make friends with Snicky? Unfortunately, Snicky died of an allergic reaction to a distemper vaccination before Jean told me what she'd actually been doing (I thought she just didn't like Snicky, of all things!). That made me even more sad, that both of them missed so much fun. Jean has since learned that cats, being intelligent beings, can love two people at once... Nina in Texas, servant to: Snickelfritz (RB), Pixel (RB 12/03), Rusty (RB 9/04), Seth (RB 12/04), Skeeter, Kyle, Jake, and T.K. [Tuxedo Kitty] SignatureProfessional proofreading doesn’t cost – it pays! ninaproofs@earthlink.net www.ninaproofs.com > Unfortunately, Snicky died of an allergic reaction to a distemper > vaccination before Jean told me what she'd actually been doing (I thought > she just didn't like Snicky, of all things!). That made me even more sad, > that both of them missed so much fun. Jean has since learned that cats, > being intelligent beings, can love two people at once... I'm sorry to hear about that. But I don't think loving more than one person is the exclusive provenance of intelligent beings. Lots of dumb-as-a-post animals love multiple people. Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* >>Unfortunately, Snicky died of an allergic reaction to a distemper >>vaccination before Jean told me what she'd actually been doing (I thought [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > is the exclusive provenance of intelligent beings. Lots of dumb-as-a-post > animals love multiple people. Very true, and I didn't intend to disparage dumb animals by any means! Nina SignatureProfessional proofreading doesn’t cost – it pays! ninaproofs@earthlink.net www.ninaproofs.com >> I'm sorry to hear about that. But I don't think loving more than one >> person is the exclusive provenance of intelligent beings. Lots of >> dumb-as-a-post animals love multiple people. > > Very true, and I didn't intend to disparage dumb animals by any means! *grin* Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* >For the first time since she was a kitten, I found Oscar on a kitchen chair >today, eyeing my cereal covetously. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >I don't think I've ever seen an adult cat do this; I've only seen kittens do >it. My little Mimi midget used to do it. She wasn't really scared, though, she was playing. >So now I feel bad, because apparently Oscar (sometimes) sees me as enough of a >threat that she has to do her pufferfish impression. I assume that's what the >sideways thing is all about: looking bigger to scare away big baddies. It's also a kind of manic-playful thing. Stinky doesn't do that thing, and I kind of miss seeing it. It cracks me up. ;) Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com > It's also a kind of manic-playful thing. Stinky doesn't do that thing, and > I kind of miss seeing it. It cracks me up. ;) For the past few months, Oscar seems more and more kittenish. I don't know why. I tend to credit the switch to wet food, but it could be that I'm paying more attention to her lately or even that she's all puffed up by "kicking Eros out." Because Oscar's been a pretty serious cat for a few years, these kittenish behaviors take me completely by surprise. It's great, though! I just hope she doesn't revert *too* far ... as a kitten, she shredded all of the blinds in my apartment, among other things ... It was like having a mini tasmanian devil, except she was typically silent. I'd turn around from whatever I was doing and find her alternately climbing up and chewing the Christmas lights hanging from the wall ... Ahhh, kittens. Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* |
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