Cats are weird creatures. It is a fact that just can’t be disputed. Izzie, our three year old calico is no exception. Since moving here, she has made it clear that she approves of her change of abode and is thoroughly enjoying the new adventures as she explores the new sights and sounds both indoors and out.
Instead of a small, flat suburban yard surrounded by a stockade fence, Izzie now has free range of a quarter of an acre of gently rising back yard and woods. There are birds to stalk, squirrels to harass and moths to pounce on. The only downside to her outdoor experience is that I am unwilling to allow her our unescorted. And, like all “teens” she resents restrictions and expresses her contempt by insinuating herself in my activities, in case I may not have noticed her desires. Usually this involves a walk on the counter, assisting me with my jig saw puzzle on the dining room table or in extreme instances, scratching the family room furniture. Despite the cajoling, she carries on non-plussed as if to say, “whatever!”
A couple of days after we moved in I decided to give the jetted tub a cleaning after my first soak resulted in clumps of black gunk rising from the jets. I filled the tub, added some Clorox, ran the jets and then let it soak for a few minutes. When I returned to the bathroom, I noticed a large wet spot in front of the door. Worried I might have a leak, I scanned the area and found Izzie on the floor at the end of my bed licking off her very wet legs. Mystery solved, I gathered her up in a towel and took her down to the kitchen sink to hose her off. She tolerated the re-bath pretty well can then allowed me to towel her off a bit before jumping down to retreat to some secret place to lick her fur and soothe her wounded pride.
For all her demands and tantrums, Izzie is good company. My heart melts every time I hear her calling for me from another room, waiting for my answer. I tell her where I am and soon she trots in, meows, rubs my ankles and then moves on. Despite her lust for independence, she still needs to know I’m here for her.
She’s just like a kid, or for that matter me. Maybe cats aren’t so weird afterall….