Monday, September 1, 2014: She Wants Plants, But It's Not Happening

I woke up or was awakened a few times overnight.  Usually it was Tommy letting me know that I needed to prepare for her jumping up on the bed. I guess she’s thought that it was necessary as I must not notice her when I’m asleep and perhaps my feet get in her way!

We spent a quiet morning. Tommy played with and chewed her “Tommy” bag. I’m going to have to look for a more indestructible model. The rest of the morning and into the afternoon, Tommy amused herself or enjoyed laying in the sun.

Tommy had been nearby most of the day except for occasional litter box and nourishment breaks. The wind really kicked up around 2:30 and the blinds were positioned incorrectly and making quite a bit of noise. I found Tommy in bedroom near the blinds and knew that they must be bothering her, so I adjusted both the length and slant. When I couldn’t find her, I figured that since the problem was solved there was no near for her to supervise.

When I couldn’t find her anywhere in the condo, I knew where she was, hiding under the bed. I sprawled out on the floor along the bed and Reassured Tommy that all was okay and she could come out of hiding.  She inched her way out and came to me. I knew that we were making some progress, but I also knew I needed to distract her.

It was time for Cat’s Meow! I brought it out and again Tommy enjoyed playing with it for about 20 minutes. Of course, I needed to be close by for whenever she stops it and it won’t restart. She likes to put her forepaws underneath and catch the bar, a great plan except when she doesn’t see the bar coming.

Once she wearied of that toy, she moved to the study for what she hoped was an afternoon snack of peace lily. It’s positioned up high enough so it’s a stretch for her and I’m always on the lookout so she doesn’t get to eat the plant. After handling the plant issue, I got a call from an old friend. Since Tommy has learned to be patient while I’m on the phone, she decided to take a nap in a sunny corner knowing full well that I would pay attention to her after the phone call.

After the call, Tommy decided to try for the plants in the living room. She hadn’t bothered the plants for quite some time, so I was a bit surprised. She finally gave up when she figured out that I wasn’t going to let her get at them.  Tommy settled into a play, eat, and nap cycle for the rest of the night. Since I was battling a cold, I wasn’t much good in the play area and she amused herself.

When it was time for me to go to bed, I knew that Tommy wasn’t ready, so I took the Cat’s Meow into the bedroom and she quickly followed. I let her play as long as she wanted because I was done in and needed to sleep.

Sunday, August 31, 2014: A Nice Quiet Day of Play With a New Toy and Rest

I woke up around 3:30 A.M. and found Tommy sleeping near my knees something she hadn’t done in a while.  Our next wake up didn’t occur until almost 7:30. When I checked Tommy’s eyelid I could barely see what was probably a scab. Her wound was healing quickly.

I handled the morning chores and Tommy seemed to be in a good mood. I left to get some batteries and the Sunday paper. When I returned we put together the Cat’s Meow. After some initial cautious viewing, Tommy really liked the toy and spent about 45 minutes playing.

While Tommy was playing, just to be on the safe side, I sent a text to my sister asking her to call me when she woke up. I received a call almost immediately.  Jane asked some questions about the wound and said that I should continue monitoring it, but it appeared to be a small scrape and it should heal by itself. After hanging up I could see that Tommy was done playing with her new toy for now, so I turned it off and put it away.

Before I would let her play with her “Tommy bag,” I checked and noticed that the handle “stubs” were now protruding, so I made the inside of the bag a little safer.  Tommy still enjoyed the bag for a while and then was ready for her late morning siesta. I checked her eyelid again and could barely see her injury.  I didn’t realize how quickly a young cat’s small wound could heal.

While Tommy napped, I worked on my blogs, but after a while she came to announce play time. I followed her out in to the living room and we started with her favorite toy, the fleece teaser.  Occasionally she took the teaser and dragged the end with her to her water bowl to get a drink. She always seemed perplexed that I was following her. I’m not sure that she understood that I was attached to the other end. When we ran into the bedroom I tried to make the bed while she worked on a pillow treat, but she got the treat out well before I finished making the bed.

When we ran into the study I noticed that my copy of Son of a Witch looked strange. I discovered that Tommy is a book lover, except she likes chewing on and/or tearing the book covers! I tried to get her to play with other toys (especially the “self-play” toys since I hadn’t had the luxury of a nap, but she wasn’t going there). After we played “swat my hand with your paw” Tommy decided that it was time for her afternoon nap, so I went to work on clearing the DVR.

In the evening, Tommy again got to play with her new toy, but grew tired of it after about 40 minutes which is much longer than I expected her to play with it. At this rate we will be going through a lot of C batteries. While I talked to my sisters on the phone and did the dishes, Tommy was very patient sitting and watching either me or TV.

At the end of the night we played one last time. Tommy really put a lot of energy in chasing the laser pointer.  When we were both exhausted (or at least I was) we headed for bed, me on the bed and her under it, but I know that sooner or later, she’ll be on the bed with me.

Saturday, August 30, 2014: …And the Silent Treatment Continues and a Later Scare

Tommy woke up around 3:00 A.M. and made a fuss. I can’t keep waking up in the middle of the night when she wants attention, so I thought if I ignored it, she’d go back to sleep or amuse herself.  Well, she did jump up on the bed by my feet and fall asleep, so I thought I was on the right track.

I woke up at 7:45 to a silent cat.  All morning she hardly mad a sound. At first when I tried to pet her, she moved her head away or in one case tried to bite me.  I even tried using the temptation of a treat to get her to interact, but she would only come near for the treat and then leave.  She spent all of the morning (other than it was litter box or nourishment time) either sitting under the dining room table or on my shorts to be ironed on top of the table.

When I would walk by, she’s sometimes look at me and I would pet her. She would accept the gesture, but made no attempt to initiate any interaction with me. I finally gave up and headed into the study to work on transcribing my grandfather’s diaries. I didn’t get through five days before Tommy came up to my feet asking for attention.  I couldn’t get her to jump up, so I picked her up and put her on the desk. She started purring and spent about five minutes with me walking around the desk and making sure that I petted her.

When she jumped down she went into the living room and I heard her playing starting to play with a foil ball and then called out to me. I thought that it might finally be play time. Wouldn’t you know she’d want to play right when I needed to get ready to leave to visit my relatives during the afternoon.

 As I was getting ready, Tommy understood what was happening. As I exited the shower suddenly my silent little kitty became quite vocal and positioned herself right next to the bedroom door. I wasn’t getting out without her. As I was getting dressed I told her that I would be visiting some of her aunts and uncles, and she moved over towards the bed. When I finished, I went over to the bed and got out the treats which Tommy knew would be put on the bed. I sprinkled a few on the bed, said good bye and headed out not knowing what Tommy’s attitude would be when I returned.

When I returned home I found a very grateful cat who almost rubbed the skin right off my legs.  She also received a present, but I didn’t have any C batteries, so she will have to wait until Sunday to enjoy her new amusement.  She did enjoy playing in the small Tommy Hilfiger bag where I put her little catnip mouse.  She was getting caught in the handles, so I removed them.

I watched the remainder of the Badger game and Tommy hid under the dining room table. I don’t think that she cared for my tone during the game.  I did crawl under the table at one point to apologize for scaring her with a sudden outburst. She probably thought that the frustration in my voice was directed at her.

When we played before bed I noticed that there was a little red spot on her right lower eye lid. I got a clean damp cotton ball and after some fussing and escape moves I was able to clean it.  Although I was originally frightened by what appeared to be a small wound, I thought I should check it in the morning since it didn’t seem to be bleeding, oozing anything, etc. After that experience. Tommy headed for under the bed. I hoped that during the night she would feel comfortable enough to jump up on the bed to sleep.

Friday, August 29, 2014: An Aloof Cat

Tommy didn’t wake me up until 5:30 this morning. Although she may have been awake at other times during the night, she was quiet enough not to wake me.  At 5:30, I reminded her that it was still dark and to wake me up when the sun was really out. She obliged and didn’t wake me again until almost 7:30. This time the wake up was vocal only and she didn’t jump on the bed, something that I actually enjoyed.

I handled the morning routine thinking that Tommy wanted some alone time. While she sat by the balcony screen door keeping watch over the neighborhood, I went into the study to complete the morning computer tasks. I accomplished most of what I needed to do before Tommy beckoned through the door that she wanted to come in. 

She came in and saw that I was working on the computer, so she left and waited out in the living room. I thought for sure that she’d jump up and “help” type, but I guess it was her day off. She continued to “hunker down” under the dining room table during most of the morning. It was a pretty dismal day, so I could understand her lack of motivation.

I left for lunch with friends and when I returned Tommy gave me her usual “where have you been and I deserve a treat attitude.” I spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening doing laundry and trying to get Tommy to play. She spent her day lounging, supervising and napping. Occasionally she’d let me pet her for a very short time, but she didn’t want to play.

The evening was more of the same. She occasionally walked by, but still didn’t want to play or be petted. When she went into the bedroom to eat around bedtime, I went in and prepared for bed. She jumped up at the bottom of the bed and walked toward me. When I tried to pet her she jumped off the bed. I finally gave up and went to sleep frustrated that today my role was only that of servant.  Perhaps tomorrow Tommy will want to spend time with me. 

Thursday, August 28, 2014: All's Well That Ends Well

Tommy decided that 12:50 was a good time to make noise and play by herself. I was okay with it as long as I didn’t need to become involved. It didn’t take long until I fell back to sleep; I’m not sure if she was still playing or not.  We woke up again a couple times, but each time I reassured her that all was well and I fell back to sleep.

Whatever was bothering Tommy during the night continued in the morning. I’m not sure whether she didn’t get enough sleep or was upset about something else. Either way, she wanted me to complete my duties and then leave her alone.  I gave her the space she wanted and worked in the study until I heard her calling to me. I tried sitting on the sofa thinking that maybe she’d come sit by me, but she sat next to the chair where I usually sit to do the morning puzzles. I guess she expected me to stick to the routine.

When I petted her later all seemed to be going well until she suddenly moved her head and I came very close to poking her eye.  That set her off back into her mood. I apologized, gave her a treat, and let her cool down while I worked on the computer.  When I came out later to change the channel, she was in a better mood and I was able to give her the usual morning chin rub.

I was going to a friend’s baseball game and needed to leave at noon. Tommy was fine with staying in “her suite.” When I returned 5 hours later, I think Tommy hadn’t expected me to be gone so long.  It took her a while to forgive me and allow me to pet her.

Tommy spent some time sitting on the sofa. I’m sure that it had something to do with the fact that there were treats to be had.  We spent a quiet evening with Tommy amusing herself before we had the last round of play before bed. I really wanted to get her moving so that perhaps she wouldn’t wake up quite so often during the night.  She spent a considerable amount of time racing around after the laser light even jumping up to catch it on the wall. This was new; she usually would just chase it when it was on the ground.

After much play, some petting and a treat or two, we called it a day and went to bed.  Tommy even started the night on the bed, something she hadn’t some for a while. It was a good sign that the day had ended well.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014: A New Phrase Enters Our Lives

I was awakened during the night by a loud thud. It seems that Tommy misjudged the distance and holding power of the sheets and fell when she tried to jump on the bed. Of course that meant that I needed to get up, check on her and comfort her. I gave her a treat when she jumped (successfully) back on the bed and we went back to sleep.

Perhaps because Tommy had slept so much the previous day, she was ready to go at 5:30 and woke me up.  I just rolled over and told her it was too early for me. She tried again at 6:30, but got the same result. Finally at 7:30 I got up, but by this time Tommy was in a mood probably because she had to wait to be able to roam the condo.

I let her have some alone time while I worked in the study. When I heard her calls of “distress,” I knew that she was in a better mood and ready to enjoy the day with me. There was construction nearby, so the noise was irritating to her, but we tried to play. She kept getting distracted, so we stopped.

As I was making the bed and getting ready to leave for lunch, Tommy started chewing on a foil ball. She managed to dislodge a piece and as she went to eat it, I said something I never thought I’d say. “Don’t put that in your mouth; it’s achy pooey!” That being said, she did drop it and I picked it up and threw it away.

She spent much of the morning under the bed, so it made leaving “not a chore.” I left a couple treats on the bed, lifted the bed skirt and said good bye and that I’d be back soon.  We’ll see how her mood is when I return.

When I returned Tommy was glad to see me but still seemed a bit out of sorts. She didn’t seem to have much energy or interest in playing. I let her nap and waited to see how she would be once she woke up.

She woke up in a much better mood. We spent some time playing, but she didn’t seem to want to play for an extended amount of time. I brought out a couple of the new toys that my friend had given Tommy the previous day and she really enjoyed the catnip “bar.” After she played with that for a while, she was ready to play with her fleece teaser for quite a while.

We stopped around 7:30 when Tommy decided to sprawl out on the living room floor. During the 10 o’clock news we headed into the bedroom to play and get ready to sleep.

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.