Saturday, February 7, 2015

Tommy woke me at around 6:30 and only returned once more before the heat came on. I then got up and we handled the morning chores. She ate and I did my printing followed by changing her water and clearing out the litter box.  I then went back into the study to work on the postings. I was behind on my grandfather’s diary transcription and need to spend some time catching up.

Tommy came in once to check on me and was looking for attention. I tried to pet her while sitting at the desk, but she was in barely within reach. As I tried Tommy moved away and left the room. I’m sure that she’d prefer that all my attention was directed at her, but that wasn’t going to happen. I’d try to spend time with her as I got caught up. 

Once I had the day’s postings completed I went to find Tommy. I found her lounging on the ottoman in the sun. She called out to me and we had a sort petting session before she got down. I tried to see if she wanted to play, but she didn’t seem interested. She just kept following me around. I finally picked her up, an activity she usually only tolerates for a few seconds, but this time she stays in my arms for well over a minute, a new record.  Once she started fussing, I knew that she wanted to be let go, so I put her near the chair so she’d have an easy escape.

Then we actually started a play session. She went into the sun and laid on her back. I brought the fleece teaser and she played with it for a short time before becoming bored. I then brought out the mouse on the wire and we finally had “extended play.” I swear that she sometimes uses the wire as floss. She will put it in her mouth between her teeth and then slowly pull it through.

Our play period was interrupted by the drying rack falling down in the laundry.  We went to investigate and after I fixed it, Tommy gave me a good scolding. I tried to get her to play again, but the magic was gone.  Tommy went and sat by the doorway to the bedroom.

When I came near she moved quickly into the room and looked back to see if I was following. We ended up by the window and Tommy let out a few grunts. I guess she wanted the blinds opened. We spent some time looking out with an occasional “walk by” where Tommy walked by my arms close enough so she could rub against them.

She settled in and just sat to look out the window so I figured that was my cue to handle laundry and other cleaning needs. When I came back out, she had moved to a sunny location in the living room. I went to see if she wanted to play, but it was clear that she just wanted to relax in the sun.

After returning from changing laundry loads, Tommy was sitting up. I thought that meant play time, but after a few futile attempts with the mouse and the feathers, she moved to the bedroom, probably to get away from her annoying servant.

I went to work in the study, and later when I went to take a break, I found Tommy napping on the sofa. Since it was lunch time, I got out her grass and hairball treats which she quickly ate. I decided to sit on the sofa, and when Tommy was finished, seeing me on the sofa, she left to return to the bedroom. I guess she didn’t want my company at that time.

I went back to the study to work and when I returned, there was Tommy back on the sofa. This time when I went to sit down, she didn’t move. I think she knew that dinner was forthcoming and she didn’t want to tick me off. She ate dinner #1 while I watched the second half of the basketball game.

After eating we had an extended play session using a variety of toys. She didn’t stay with one toy for long, but at least gave each one some time. We moved between the three major rooms of the condo before Tommy decided to take a break. She sat on her rug in the living room behind a heavy duty cardboard tube with her head up but her eyes closed.  I don’t know how she does that; when I try my head droops down.

 I was waiting to hear from my nieces who were in town, so we sat and watched television together on the sofa. Tommy soon fell asleep. I read some of my textbook during commercials.

Later when Tommy woke up, I decided to do the dishes. I warned her that if she didn’t finish her food by the time I finished the rest of the dishes, I’d dump the little that was left so I could wash the bowl. As I finished the dishes wouldn’t you know that Tommy would show up and eat most of her food. It’s so weird, I swear that somehow she figures out what I’ve said.

After I finished the dishes, Tommy came over to play. She rolled over and I thought that she wanted to be petted. What she wanted to do was play/bite my hand.  She hasn’t tried that in a while and I’ve discouraged it, so I gave her Mr. Rat to play with who she likes to bite and I went to finish typing.

Tommy soon joined me on the table where I was working and at first she was very sweet and wanted to be petted. A few minutes later she again tried to bite me, so I said no and she moved over to the other end of the table.

Unfortunately I needed to leave, so I petted her, and said that I’d see her when I got back. I got back late and Tommy greeted me at the door. I’m sure that she was confused because it was late and I still wasn’t going to bed. I was probably interfering with her play time. I went to the bedroom to watch T.V. while I tried to take a quick nap while awaiting a call from the nieces to pick them up and take their entourage back to the hotel.

Once the call came, I left and returned after completing my chauffeuring duties. Tommy seemed to be upset, so I petted her and went to bed. She, of course, remained in the main room of the condo where she would probably stay until morning when she’d want to be fed.