Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Tuesday, August 26, 2014: Tommy Is a Good Hostess to a Gift-Bearing Friend

This morning started a bit early, but since we were having company this morning I was glad to be up before 7:00. We had our usual morning routine, but when Tommy laid down in front of me for her usual petting she opened her mouth like she was getting ready to bite. We hadn’t had this issue in a while and I’m sure she realized her mistake when I left the room.
When I returned, we’re okay although Tommy seemed a bit put off. While I did the vacuuming she hid under the bed (normal) but returned there after I finish (not normal). She finally came out right before our company arrived.
As always when the company arrived, Tommy was the perfect hostess. She admired the gifts she received. (I have some great friends who come bearing gifts!) She allowed all the petting and attention that my friend wanted to give her. She readily went in the bedroom so my friend and I could go out for lunch. Tommy again showed what a people person she was and I was so proud of her.
When we returned Tommy again wasn’t too critical of my absence (probably because our company was still with us). After my friend left Tommy decided that she had had enough excitement for a while and decided to take a nap.  I got caught up with some paperwork.
I needed to get my haircut, so when Tommy woke up I needed to get her into the bedroom. She wasn’t moving but did allow me to pick her up. She usually doesn’t like to be picked up, so I tried to hold her like a baby. She actually was less fussy and we made it all the way to the bed without incident.  I put down her treat on the bed and headed out to get my hair cut.
When I returned Tommy was glad to see me, but wanted to spend time laying in the sun by the screen door which was finally able to be opened again after two days of air conditioning. The rest of the afternoon and early evening was spent lounging around with occasional short play sessions and food/water breaks.
My friend had brought some different treats, so I put both her usual and the new treats down and let her choose.  She decided to try the new treats and must have liked them because a few minutes later she was using her scratching post and looking at me. I had gotten her to use the scratching post by rewarding with treats and have been doing some “weaning” of the treat giving because she uses the posts very often.
I also put a treat in her little pillow (see previous posts), but this time she was having a little difficulty getting the treat out. I told her to use her paws and wouldn’t you know it, she started using her paws and got the treat out. I’m not sure if it was a coincidence that I mentioned the paws right before she used them, or that she understood what I was saying.  I know that when I say “Come on!” she follows me into a different room, but again I wonder if I said something else if she would still follow me.
When it was time for bed, we head into the bedroom. I know that we haven’t had an extended play time, so I try to engage Tommy in play. She plays with the fleece a little on the scratching post and she goes under the bed to play hide-and-seek with the fleece. She doesn’t seem very enthused, so I say good night, turn off the lights, and go to sleep.

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