If you said, "That daring young man on the flying trapeze - a traditional song in the public domain," you get 20 bonus points.
If you asked: "Are you planning to join the circus, Jim?"... no. And for the record, I am neither young nor daring.
It is an every day challenge to keep Murphy off the kitchen counters. There is no reason for him to be up there - no food on the counter; both of the cat towers have a higher vantage point. We have tried scolding, spraying water, "time out"... none of that has been effective.
He was a good boy this morning: no counter jumping. While I was preparing cat breakfasts, a silver and gray streak flew by my peripheral vision. Silver and gray? Yep, little Stella leapt up onto the counter... with "the greatest of ease." I told her no and put her down on the floor. Twelve seconds later, she flew up there again, from a different angle. She has discovered one of her cat superpowers: the effortless leap.
Research reveals that cats can jump 5 to 6 times their own height. Stella is skinny but long in leg and body. She is built for jumping. And now, 2 1/2 months after bringing her into the family, she is exercising this ability.
I don't think I have the energy or patience for this. Joan gave them both new catnip toys just now... no idea if it will calm them or get them hepped up.
Our friend and neighbor Pam is the editor of a magazine for independent pet store owners. She will occasionally give us "cat stuff" to try out (stuff that she gets sent for free - she is a dog owner; doesn't have a cat). Yesterday, she texted me "How many cats do you have now?"
I texted back "I'm counting..."
A minute later: "I'm still counting..."
Another minute later: "Two, seems like 114."
She brought over a "swag bag" full of cat stuff: treats, food, toys, a couple harnesses. It was also the first she has seen Stella. And the first time Stella has encountered another human in the house, besides us, Steph, and Dan. She was wary. Stella, not Pam. Pam is friendly; doesn't seem to be a cat-killer.
-------
In other news: a birthday celebration today. That's right - on this day mumble-mumble years ago, a crying bundle of joy came into our lives. I knew my life would never be the same. Yep, Stephanie's birthday today. She and Dan are taking the day off work. I am told it will be a "low key" celebratory day, with the 4 of us doing lunch out.
--------
To keep cats off the counter, Joan set up two chairs by the patio door...
"That's my chair!" "Mom said I could sit here." "Mom, make her get off my chair!" "I was here first!"
(sigh)
1 comment:
At least they keep each other company. In theory that will short-out some of the cat energy. We gave up on the kitchen counters years ago. Duke even gets fed up there often (I have intermittent back problems and sometimes cannot bend over easily to put his plates on the floor. Yes, plates). Alice puts his plate on the floor in the TV room. Lucy is 13 and now appears to be getting arthritis in her back hips. Her jumping is limited.
Happy birthday to Steph. Seems like it was just last month you posted about her last birthday?
Post a Comment