An inadvertent side affect of the personal pet therapy project has been that my mom is paying attention to Murphy, Tabby, and Mr. Meow’s mannerisms. And remembering them from day to day.
For instance, she’s beginning to recognize that when Murph lets out a certain bark and rushes to the window a rabbit’s surely in the yard. When he growls another way and rushes to the window a dog must be going past. Then there’s his whine and anxious face pressed in front of ours when he’s ready to go for a walk.
But the cats intrigue her the most because she’s never really had the chance to be around cats very much. Their kookie behaviors are sticking in her short term memory better than just about anything else.
Like Tabby working with Murphy to tag team lizards. She’s laughed about that almost every day since the first time it happened.
But it’s their tails and the tales they tell that she’s learned to read best and which she talks about most.
Twittery, Twitching Tails
Murph’s not the only one who rushes to the window. A bird flying by (or maybe a leaf flying in the wind) often prompts Mr. Meow and Tabby on a window-seeking mission. If they do spot a bird, their tails twitch and twitter in a spastic yet controlled manner as they chatter and cuss at the birds.
My mom’s catching on to this and will often now join them at the window to try and figure out what they’re up in arms about.
Quick Side-to-Side Flicks
Quick flicks back and forth by either one means the one has spotted the other and a pounce and ensuing chase is imminent. In other words, playtime has begun (or is about to). Judging by the way my mom perks up when she spots these tails, I’d say she enjoys these best.
Slow Thunk Slaps on the Floor
If we’re talking about them, or just talking while we’re in their presence (be it about them or otherwise) and they’re content, they do these slow thunk slaps to let us know they’re there, they’ve acknowledged us, and yes it’s completely acceptable to keep admiring them. These get a head shake not only from my mom but me as well. Cats! They always think it’s all about them!
Question to Readers
Courtney Mroch writes about animals great and small in Pets and the harmony and strife that encompasses married life in Marriage. For a full listing of her articles click here.
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