Hi everyone. Maverick here with the latest edition of “Cat Tales.” This pic shows what I look like sitting on my mom’s desk chair. When I write my column, I have to put a box on the chair. I think I need a booster seat, just not a pink one. I hope it will also give me a boost when I’m low on energy and don’t have time for a catnap.
I like to look out the window, but our new place is at the end of the street, so I don’t get to see much. The only thing I see that’s interesting when I look out the window is when the trash gets picked up each week. My mom and I have always lived in a place with trash dumpsters, and I never saw the trash picked up before. Our new place has a trash bin that gets wheeled to the curb. They pick it up each week early in the morning, and boy, is it loud. When we first moved into our new place, I ran to the window the first time I heard that horrible noise. What I saw was mesmerizing and a little scary. A big old fork thing grabbed our trash bin, lifted it into the air, and dumped it in the truck. It was huge. It scared me because I thought it might reach into the window and grab me. My mom saw it the other day for the first time. She turned to me and said, “That is scary.” I don’t like trash days because I don’t want that thing grabbing me. Our new place sits close to the street, and it wouldn’t take much for that thing to come through the window.
About two weeks ago, my mom told me she was going to buy me a present. My eyes got super big, and I gave her a big ole’ smile. Don’t let anybody tell you that a cat or a dog doesn’t smile because we do. When she got home from the store, she had another ball, and this one was blue. Remember how I mentioned in previous columns that I had two pink and one green ball? They came up missing – probably under the furniture. She threw the new ball into the living room, but I didn’t play with it. I love the color, and I love to play ball, but all I did was look at it. A few days later, my mom noticed that the ball was still sitting in the same place on the living room floor. “Maverick, why aren’t you playing with your new ball?” I told her if I didn’t play with it, then I wouldn’t lose it. This way, I could still see the ball even if I couldn’t play with it. My mom felt bad, but she came up with the idea that I could put it in the bedroom and play with it without losing it. Our bed sits high up, so if the ball gets underneath it, we can get it out. And the dresser sits too low for the ball to get under it. What a genius idea. I have been able to play ball again. That put a smile on my face.
A few years ago, my mom read this article in “The Spruce Loves Pets” by Christina Donnelly called “The 7 Things Cats Hate Most.” I will list them, and give you my opinion on each one.
Cats Hate Feeling Lonely – This is so true. People think cats are solitary animals, but we’re not. I don’t like it when my mom has to leave me alone. When my brothers were living, I was never alone, but now I am, and I don’t like it. Just so you know, cats can develop anxiety and depression. That’s why I came up with my invisible friends, Oscar and Oliver. Now I have my invisible friends to play with when my mom has to leave for a bit.
Cats Hate Dirty Litter Boxes – OMG! Would a human want to go in a dirty bathroom? Ah ah. I don’t think so. We want to have a clean place to do our business just like you do. My mom cleans my litter pan first thing in the morning and again at night, just before we go to bed. Never expect your cat to use a dirty litter pan. That is gross!
Cats Hate Spoiled Food – Yuck. Really? How gross is that? Would you want to eat spoiled food and food that has been sitting out all day to go stale? Parents, don’t treat us like second-class citizens. If you wouldn’t eat spoiled food, don’t expect us to. And make sure you’re checking expiration dates on the food.
Cats Hate Yucky Medicine – This makes me giggle. I hate medicine, especially if it leaves a bad taste. Parents, check with your veterinarian and see if the medicine your pet needs comes in coated. My mom got the coated pills for my thyroid instead of the chalky ones. You pay a little more, but it’s well worth the price. But I must admit that sometimes I spit them out. I have found that I can spit pretty far. My mom says it’s like a projectile coming out of my mouth.
Cats Hate Overly Aggressive Petting – I love to be petted and massaged, but some cats don’t. They may have sensitive areas that bother them when touched, or maybe the hand doing the petting is calloused and rough. Always be gentle, and if your cat doesn’t like it, stop.
Cats Hate Competition From Other Cats – I have never had this problem when Alex and Winston were alive. But like people, animals can get jealous, especially if they see one cat getting more attention than the other. Pay special attention to your furry loved ones. Try to spend time with them equally. When introducing a new pet into the family, make sure both pets get equal love. Introduce a new pet slowly, making sure to give all your pets lots of love and attention. Supervise any new pets coming into your house.
Cats Hate Loud Noises – I can attest to that, like the garbage truck. The truck is super loud. It hurts my ears, and it sounds scary. Loud noises can also come from commotion inside the house – having company that’s loud. Physical and verbal fighting is not a good thing. That’s stressful for anyone, but in a cat or a dog, it can cause anxiety, depression, other kinds of health issues, and sometimes aggression. Please be mindful of your pets. We just want to be loved and give love.
Okay, everyone. Thanks for reading my column. I hope these seven tips will help you to take better care of your pet. And if you’re already doing those things – Great job!
Until next time.
Love Maverick
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Hi Maverick,
It’s me…..Spooky! I enjoyed your Cat Tales very much. Like you, I don’t like the noise the garbage truck makes either. When I hear it outside, my heart races and my eyes are like saucers until it’s out of site and down the road. My mom is always good about calming me down so that makes it better.
I’m glad you got a new ball and that it’s a color you like. What a smart mom you have. Putting the ball in a room that it won’t get lost. I do hope your other ones eventually are found. Then you will have several options to choose from when you want to play ball. This morning, my mom opened the closet and found one of my toys in one of her shoes. She asked when I put that there. I didn’t tell her it was when she wasn’t looking when she was hanging up clothes. LOL! After all, we cats have to keep our parents on their toes!
Well, I must go take my afternoon nap. I hope you have a good day and aren’t getting a lot of snow. I always enjoy mom reading your Cat Tales to me. Keep them coming.
Happy Tales To You,
Love,
Spooky
Hi Spooky
It’s great to hear from you again. That’s funny putting toys in your mom’s shoes. I should try that. I’ve been playing with Oscar and Oliver today, even though my mom is home. Saturday is her day to rest, and she likes to sleep in and then read a good book.
I just ate my dinner and now I’m running around getting lots of exercise and being chased by those little rascals Oscar and Oliver. Talk about ornery. Those two are something else.
I’m glad you’re a fan of my column, and I hope you keep reading. I look forward to your comments.
Love Maverick