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susandennisJake is a calm fairly unflappable 18 year old cat. He's nimble and can be quick if he's got a notion but in general, he's patient so what's the hurry?
Betty is not nearly as skittish as when she first got here at the age of about 1 in 2002. Generally a loud sound or fast movement will make her jump up and run. But not as much as she used to. She's not a deep thinker. She's beautiful and she likes you to acknowledge that - a lot. She has totally given up any pretense of not wanting attention. Pet me. Love me. Tell me I'm beautiful. Pet me. Move that crap off your lap so I can sit there. Pet me. Now.
Betty will look me straight in the eye. Jake rarely will. When Jake wants something, he will just whine or forget that he wanted it. Betty will sit right by me and stare at me until I look at her and do what she wants.
But even with all that, Jake has been always the alpha cat. He generally gets the good spots on the chaise or in the bed first and if he doesn't then he just hops up next to Betty and annoys her until she leaves.
Until recently like last night. When I got to bed, I spend an hour or so either reading or playing a computer game. My right hand is turning pages or working the computer. So the primo spot is just by my left hip where that hand might be available for a pet. I usually get into the bed a little after 10. Generally, Jake gets there about 9:30 to get the good spot. Sometimes Betty beats him but then he just bullies her out.
Last night Betty beat him. We were settled in and here comes Jake to claim his spot. He nudged Betty and then licked her and then pawed her and pretty soon she was pawing back and then they started at it. But, this time, at the point where Betty ups and runs, she doesn't! She chases Jake over to the edge of the bed where he jumps off and then she comes back to her spot and settles in.
It was monumental and hilarious. Poor Jake felt like the guy who lost the election! He just stood there by the bed in shock. Finally, he got up on the bed - the right side down by my feet and just stayed there.
This morning, Betty got the chaise and he didn't even bother.
It's a new reign. Jake is now alpha cat emeritus.
Betty is not nearly as skittish as when she first got here at the age of about 1 in 2002. Generally a loud sound or fast movement will make her jump up and run. But not as much as she used to. She's not a deep thinker. She's beautiful and she likes you to acknowledge that - a lot. She has totally given up any pretense of not wanting attention. Pet me. Love me. Tell me I'm beautiful. Pet me. Move that crap off your lap so I can sit there. Pet me. Now.
Betty will look me straight in the eye. Jake rarely will. When Jake wants something, he will just whine or forget that he wanted it. Betty will sit right by me and stare at me until I look at her and do what she wants.
But even with all that, Jake has been always the alpha cat. He generally gets the good spots on the chaise or in the bed first and if he doesn't then he just hops up next to Betty and annoys her until she leaves.
Until recently like last night. When I got to bed, I spend an hour or so either reading or playing a computer game. My right hand is turning pages or working the computer. So the primo spot is just by my left hip where that hand might be available for a pet. I usually get into the bed a little after 10. Generally, Jake gets there about 9:30 to get the good spot. Sometimes Betty beats him but then he just bullies her out.
Last night Betty beat him. We were settled in and here comes Jake to claim his spot. He nudged Betty and then licked her and then pawed her and pretty soon she was pawing back and then they started at it. But, this time, at the point where Betty ups and runs, she doesn't! She chases Jake over to the edge of the bed where he jumps off and then she comes back to her spot and settles in.
It was monumental and hilarious. Poor Jake felt like the guy who lost the election! He just stood there by the bed in shock. Finally, he got up on the bed - the right side down by my feet and just stayed there.
This morning, Betty got the chaise and he didn't even bother.
It's a new reign. Jake is now alpha cat emeritus.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-13 07:55 pm (UTC)Don't really know how I managed it, but I've trained both of them not to hang out in my favorite little room, where I am now, surrounded by my paperwork and beading materials -- and juicy plants. Once in awhile, Max will sneak in and reach up to touch me with his paw. Tap, tap, tap... "I'm hungry". You know the face... I tell him "just a minute" and he walks out, sighing. I wait a bit, then go sprinkle some crunchies in his bowl -- long enough for him to forget he's asked for it, so he doesn't think he's being rewarded for being in the forbidden room. Sometimes, it takes a bit of effort to outsmart a cat.