Have you ever been in your bedroom with your cats under the covers and picked up a book you have been dying to read but juts couldn’t get to? Do you try to ignore that glint in your cat’s eye that says: “Mommy’s here. Let’s boogie”? If the answer to these two questions is yes, then you are in deep litter-box if you think you will ever get to read that book. The warning signs may vary from cat to cat, but they are always clear. The cat may be resting quietly on your bed until the moment it sees you open that book. In my case, I have to get my glasses on before I can proceed to step two, which rarely happens because the cat is already four steps ahead of me into “boogie time.”
What do I mean by “boogie? Well, I certainly am not referring to the dance craze that swept the nation fifty years ago. Translated from cat, it means: “I want some attention, I want to do what you are doing and you must do this with me or you will be sorry.”
Attack and seize the proper position. The general in this battle, in case you haven’t figured it out, is the cat. You try, but cannot ignore the encroaching fur that proceeds to brazenly sit upon your book and flatten it with its own body while you are trying to read. This is usually accompanied by much purring, which is a diversionary tactic meant to distract you from the fact that you were there first, you pay the bills, have the right to be free and read, etc etc.
Then there is the conquering stage. The cat is there looking you straight in the eye. You must rub the head and talk softly. To do otherwise, will get you absolutely nowhere because they cat will only return more determined than ever to join you in your reading session.
There is one solution. Get dressed and go to the library to read. The cats may have library cards, but at least as far as I know, they can’t follow you there!
Good luck!