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A cat adopted me. |
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Being kind to the animals is part of the culture in this area of the country. There are always a few feral cats hanging around the apartment complex where I live. Up the bike trail about 10 minutes is feline alley where there are usually a dozen or so. They are taken care of with food and plastic crate shelters. It's very nice part of the trail between two ponds, with Palm trees and thick foliage on the ground. Soon after I moved here I started leaving water out. It's hot. A couple cats would have a drink during the day and a possum would drain the bowl at night. Last summer a pregnant cat starting sleeping on the lawn chair on my patio. I bought food for her and the couple who lived upstairs put a box out for her to sleep in. Most are happy to be fed but not much on human contact. Amazing to me was that the cats and the ducks get along. More than once I've seen ducks and ducklings hanging with the feral cats in feline alley. I've never been a 'cat person' but now I have a new guest that I'm increasingly fond of. I'm sure that Goose, the cat that has started to share my apartment sometimes, is more likely an abandoned house cat than feral. After 4 years and maybe a dozen or two cats, she is the only one that seeks attention. After a few days being fed on the patio while I sat nearby, she jumped on my lap. That was last week and we've been friends since. I started letting her stay inside in the afternoon and a few times overnight. Goose has found her spots under the bed and on the couch and is absolutely not in a hurry to leave. She slept lightly the first couple times inside then a few days ago she came in, ate and was out like a light for hours. I'm glad to see her comfortable. I call her Goose because once when I was feeding her outside one of the local ducks came by with her ducklings. I was throwing bread for the ducks while Goose the cat was eating from the bowl. It reminded me of a grade school game called, you guessed it, 'Duck, Duck, Goose', hence Goose the cat. I'm not sure she understands as she likely came from an Hispanic home and I don't speak Spanish cat. The trouble is I live in an apartment complex where pets are not allowed but then, neither is feeding the ducks.  I have to decide what to do. Goose has made herself at home and I like her around. The trouble is they'll charge me a penalty and I'll have to get rid of her if I'm caught. Since they come in and spray for bugs once a month, it's likely Goose will be discovered sooner or later. If anyone reading this has advice or thoughts please pass them along. I'm thinking of putting an ad on Craigslist for a good home. |
| Hi, this is Goose. I see the human has been updating you on my progress. As you can see, it's been difficult training him, some days he is absolutely clueless, it's not that I expect a lot from humans but this guy is a tough nut to crack! Basic Training 101 worked on him, it took a while but it worked, he's not real quick on the uptake. Training 101 starts with a little friendliness then just the right amount of standoffish attitude. It has to be just the right amount or else you have to start all over from the beginning, either that or find a less clueless human. He didn't get it at first, so I had to repeat, then repeat again. He finally started to put food out, so I increased the friendliness and reduced the standoffish routine. I'm so good at this! After a meal or two I could see Clueless didn't know the difference between OK food and GOOD food. I don't know what he eats but no self respecting cat can live on kibbles for long. I had to decide if he was worth my 'A' game, so I went inside to check his apartment. It isn't fancy but comfortable and reasonably clean, at least I didn't smell any other cats. The clueless human had the requirements, a couch and some comfy, just for cats sleeping places so I decided to give him a little more time. I could see myself moving in. After a week or two this guy still wasn't bringing the good chow. It was time for Basic Training 201 where, when the human puts the food down you say, "Bring out the good food." and stare at him, then the bowl. If you've done things right the human will feel bad that you aren't eating and put out better food. Never let them see you enjoy second rate food. Now he brings out the good food for breakfast and dinner and puts out kibble during the day. I eat some of the kibble and invite the ducks over to finish it up. They like it better than I do. Next it was time for Basic Training 301. I walked in, sat next to the door and scratched myself, looked at him and scratched again, "Hey Clueless! Time for some of that magic stuff for itching!". I had to wait a long time but he finally had some and put it on me. He also slipped something in my food, since this was the good food I just pretended not to notice and ate it all. That was a few days ago and I feel great. Clueless needs some advanced training and I'm working on it. He needs to learn that when I'm inside, I want to go out whenever I want, no more of waiting on his clueless, lazy butt to open the door whenever he gets around to it. Same when I'm outside, I'm mean really!! Who does he think he is?? I stay outside most of the time. When I stay inside and sleep on his bed Clueless doesn't understand that he disturbs me when he rolls over or moves his legs, it wakes me up and that just won't do! I've started Sleep Training which goes like this; When Clueless interrupts my sleep I push my face into his until I'm sure he's paying attention, then I turn around and show him my butt. It works, he say's something which I'm pretty sure isn't "I'm sorry." and rolls over and goes to sleep so then I can too. |
| Didn't think Clueless can read? Guess who's eating kibble for a while!! |
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