When I speak of "protection" I'm not referring to the swords or even the
Buddha. I am referring to that blue spray bottle with the word WATER written on it. A spray of water is often my only protection again the claws of Alex, the cat who owns-and sometimes claws and malls-me.A single pray of water, or even the threat of a spray of water, sends my water-phobic house mate running. Of course, sometimes he decides it's a game and sneaks back to attempt to claw me before I can again reach for the water spray. Usually, Alex wins.
At the suggestion of Eclectic, we too enlisted the weapon of the water bottle.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it works, other times it doesn't.
Mimi used to be such a good kitty. Didn't jump where she shouldn't, learned her boundaries quickly and except for early kittenhood, (she would take any paper, anywhere, and strew it all over the floor, we would wake up to it every morning) she was good. Except the 4am 'feed me' routine which consists of climbing on top of sleeping me- not Phil- and licking my face, nose, and eyelids until I feed her. (notice that is still in the present tense). We had no need for a water bottle for her. Just simple voice commands worked wonders.
In comes Leo. We hoped- to our demise- that Leo would pick up on Mimi's good behavior. Leo needed a water bottle. He got one. Yet, he still pushes the boundaries. He gets up on EVERYTHING! He'll get a spray, run away, then come back for more. He'll test; get sprayed and STAY where he is until one of his humans actually comes closer to get him down. We hear a crash- we know its Leo.
The demise? The humans have had to resort to using the water bottle on Mimi! The princess! The wonder cat! Leo has taught her how to be naughty. Mimi now gets up on things she is not supposed to, her and Leo run around chasing each other in play; leaving a wake of debris in their path. They run over us in bed, get up on things to attack each other, knock over anything in their way, and we just have to know that they are the owners of us, and we better give them their food for fear of our lives in our sleep.
Yet, we couldn't imagine our lives without them. Why didn't Mimi teach Leo the 'right' way to be in this house? I dont know. They can mostly go anywhere, they sleep with us, can get on the furniture- just not tables, counters, or the stove.
I guess we just have to learn how to be pets. I wonder when they'll have our dinner ready?
Geesh, sorry for such a long comment- its like a blog entry in a comment! I hope you'll forgive me.
ReplyDeletewe used to spray my black lab when she was doing something she shouldn't be. Can't remember how it worked but she was a pretty good dog anyway.
ReplyDeleteMost cats hate water. It usually works. Good luck being fast on the draw.
ReplyDeleteAaah, that Alex is full of personality, isn't he, Nick? And you really wouldn't have it any other way (apart from the attacks on the family jewels!). Actually, I'm wondering if he and Oscar are related...long lost cousins whose parents were separated at birth or something...just wondering.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the water spray works. My mother used to chase our cat with broom.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid we used a squirtgun because it was easier to aim.
ReplyDeleteI've given up here though. I'd have to have 6 arms to keep up with this wild bunch.
Good luck Nick!
A frisky little devil, huh? Sure is cute, though :-)
ReplyDeleteDo those swords have dildos for handles? Okay, after englarging it, I can see they don't. Nevermind ...
ReplyDeleteI keep telling you that your water phobic cat will really enjoy the desert and Alex doesn't have to avoid (most of the time) going outside because of rain. When are you (and Alex) coming back to Arizona? I miss out all night discussions.
ReplyDeleteI wrote before that Alex is cute, but he is also devious, isn't he?
ReplyDeleteHmmm, at least you aren't using the swords on him...
ReplyDeletexxx
My cats KNOW not to scratch. They get into big ((big)) trouble. i have a kind-of-hissy noise that I make if they do something wrong. And if they persist then they know a smack is coming up. But I don't need to go to that very often.
ReplyDeleteI also clip their nails. Neither of them like it but I can do it by myself. If they choose not to act up. Maybe you shouldn't try that with Alex. I think you'd be asking him to test those claws on you :(
alex is a brat
ReplyDeleteperhaps you should let your nails grow and attempt to take back the night ;)
ReplyDeleteI bought a spray bottle to try to teach Hissy not to chew my paper flowers. I bought a foaming spray bottle by mistake. My knuckles get all wet and he chews the paper flowers. I am pretty well trained by now.
ReplyDeleteHahaha ... I can so relate. I have a squirter bottle of water on my bedside table, as my Bambi only usually chooses the night-time to misbehave, so the bottle is within arms length. Often just shaking it works !!! Cats are such naughty creatures, sometimes, aren't they.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Meow