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Cuddly doesn't last A couple of weeks ago, I looked over at the car in the next lane of traffic and saw a woman holding a kitten. Actually, she was trying to hold the kitten which was digging its little claws into her shoulder as it tried to climb up the lady's body. The lady had a smile on her face and the little kitten, a yellow tiger stripe, had those big, shiny kitten eyes and perky ears. I thought "enjoy it while you can. In six months, you're going to have slitted, disdainful eyes glaring at you." I wanted to pull the car over and warn the people that what might appear a cute, cuddly little ball of curiosity was in reality an incubating sullen pile of fur whose life mission was to remind the humans in its orbit that whatever the choice, it is wrong. Ask any cat owner. Put food in the cat bowl. The cat looks at you like you are crazy. "I'm not eating this," the look says. "Try again." The cat goes to the door. You let the cat out. The cat just shakes its head and cries to come inside. You open the door. The cat moseys in, looking up at you like you are at minimum an idiot, and strolls inside the house. Nine out of 10 owners stand there, hand on doorknob of half closed door wondering what the cat wanted if it didn't want to go outside. After letting the cat in and out for half an hour, I finally decided the cat was just looking at the door. Cats do that, too. They just sit and look at stuff, at people. It can get unnerving, being stared at by a cat. That stare, those eyes can make a person feel so inadequate. Never count on a cat to build up anyone's self esteem. But, I would also have to tell the new cat people that being acquired by a cat has its advantages. If they are lucky, the kitten will grow up to be a good hunter. Finding a decapitated mouse by the back door is gross, but seeing a live one streaking across the kitchen floor is worse. Of course, the downside is the occasional pile of feathers you know were recently attached to a harmless little bird. Cats like variety, too. And although a cat might not boost the ego, it certainly can teach the lesson of perseverance. Most cats get what they want eventually. It just takes a determined attitude and patience. A dog might growl to get results, but a cat will just wait it out and wear you down.
Right now, our cat is sitting in the kitchen. She keeps looking over her shoulder at me. She wants to go out. I think.
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