Fetch

When Greg and I moved up here I was torn between wanting cats or a dog. I have always been a cat person and while I like dogs alright, I have a hard time getting past the stink and having to wash my hands every time I touch one with a finger. My tune changed slightly when I awoke last spring to a stranger sleeping on my couch. All of a sudden I wanted an animal that will tell me when someone breaks in, especially because Greg is often gone at night. I also foresaw my loneliness here and wanted an animal that would greet me at the door and give me lots of love. For a variety of reasons that I will not bore you with, we decided to get our kittens instead of a dog and I am wildly happy that we did.

The surprising thing is that my kitties are more like dogs than I ever imagined they would be. For example, every time I come in the door they are waiting for me. They hear the key in the door and come running - sometimes still yawning from their nap. I've heard of cats thinking they are dogs, but my little ones see and conduct themselves as cats - they don't have an identity crisis. The best dog-like feature is that Limbe plays fetch. She uses earplugs that wrapped in a plastic bag that Greg brings home from work in his pocket. They are perfect for her because they make noise and there is something gooey in the middle to gnaw on (sometimes we'll play catch with her mitten, but she really doesn't like me touching it). Generally we play in the morning when I am waking up. She hears my alarm, comes charging up the bed, and drops the earplugs in my hand or next to my nose. I pick it up and throw it across the room. Like a gazelle she leaps off the bed, grabs the earplugs, and brings them back to me by dropping them into my hand. We'll play for half an hour if I'll allow it.

Of course, because she is a cat I cannot instigate our games. She tells me when we play.