03-09-2022, 10:26
Not going to talk about Alf any more, Dev (just thinking about him will probably curdle my porridge) other than to mourn his passing; couldn`t happen to a nicer bloke or a more deserving one.
You know the old saying about dogs having masters and cats having servants; it couldn`t be more true. We have shared our home – I won`t say `own` because you don`t where cats are concerned -with a succession of cats over the past 40+ years. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that a succession of cats have deigned to allow us to share their home.
The latest incarnations are just shy of 5 months old and have lives that basically consist of 1. Eat 2.Sleep. 3. Play. 4. Crap. 5. Repeat. (Can I come back as a cat next time, please?) We picked them up – from Hasland RSPCA shelter, as it happens – a couple of months ago now as kittens and it`s true that their behaviours are to a great extent moulded in the first few weeks of their lives. I read somewhere that if you want to domesticate a feral cat you have to do it before they`re 6 weeks old; after that it`s too late.
The problem with any rescue animal, cat or dog, is that you don`t know what has happened to them before you get them. Having said that, some cats just don`t like being picked up; one of ours now isn`t too keen, but the other has no problem. So it may be that yours does realise you`d like to pick her up, but just doesn`t want to be. That`s how cats are; their own masters.
Off to Boundary Park this afternoon; wouldn`t mind a repeat of Monday`s result.
You know the old saying about dogs having masters and cats having servants; it couldn`t be more true. We have shared our home – I won`t say `own` because you don`t where cats are concerned -with a succession of cats over the past 40+ years. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that a succession of cats have deigned to allow us to share their home.
The latest incarnations are just shy of 5 months old and have lives that basically consist of 1. Eat 2.Sleep. 3. Play. 4. Crap. 5. Repeat. (Can I come back as a cat next time, please?) We picked them up – from Hasland RSPCA shelter, as it happens – a couple of months ago now as kittens and it`s true that their behaviours are to a great extent moulded in the first few weeks of their lives. I read somewhere that if you want to domesticate a feral cat you have to do it before they`re 6 weeks old; after that it`s too late.
The problem with any rescue animal, cat or dog, is that you don`t know what has happened to them before you get them. Having said that, some cats just don`t like being picked up; one of ours now isn`t too keen, but the other has no problem. So it may be that yours does realise you`d like to pick her up, but just doesn`t want to be. That`s how cats are; their own masters.
Off to Boundary Park this afternoon; wouldn`t mind a repeat of Monday`s result.