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Monday, February 25, 2013

Cats are NOT all the same

Yesterday was an interesting day for this cat-sitter. I had 5 houses to cover, 3 of them required 2 visits daily. The snow started late in the morning and went all day. It was annoying to drive in but I didn't have to go on the back country roads. One of my new clients was notably shy so I tread softly, talked calmly and did not have eye contact for the first few minutes. Her eyes were round as saucers but she strolled up to me and sniffed my arm. I smiled at her and said "Hi". She hissed, raised her tail and stalked back into the bedroom. If she could have, she would have slammed the door. OK, then. This one will take some time so duties done, a weak and damaged "See you tomorrow, Sweetie"  and off to the next one.  This one I couldn't find. He's a regular and is always there to greet me with a purr and a rub on my leg but he was no where to be found. At first you just peek around, call their name,  look up, look down, look sideways, but then you start to worry. I looked everywhere and no cat. I decided to sit on the floor and wait. I shook the treat bag. Nothing. That should have worked. So up I got and started looking again. I noticed a closet door partially open. I called his name and looked in. Suddenly, a white head poked out from a cardboard box tucked way in the back of the closet. I got a look like "what do you want? You ruined my nap."    "Phew".

The rest of the day was quite predictable. They were all regulars and knew me well.  Once all the 'duties' are done,  feeding, cleaning dishes, litter & the odd hairball, my favorite time with them is to sit on the floor and just spend time together. Once you have won their trust, cats are so appreciative of 'bonding' time with people, that is one thing I know for sure.

Some cats prefer to be brushed than to be played with and others just love to be petted while we look at a book together.  Each cat is very unique and it takes time to get to know what they love to do most.

I know they love to be read to. The sound of your voice is very soothing and rhythmic and in no time you may notice kitty is sound asleep. Others love to be played with and the cat-dancer is the 'toy of choice' amongst my kitty clients.

Of course, they are all very vain and love to have their photos taken. Well, all but Audrey. I guess when you don't have a 'bad side' you are guaranteed to be happy with the results.

Some say cats are all alike. Au contraire! They are all individuals and very unique. I say to them, "You don't know cats."

hugs, Deb

16 comments:

  1. We had two cats that I could sing or shush to sleep...great if we had to go out...I knew they would be out cold for a few hours and not notice we'd gone. Also,a nice thing about having kitty siblings is noticing their similarities and differences...love it!
    Jane x

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  2. I agree -- they are all different. My three are very different personalities -- all characters! They do like to curl up and read, listen to music. I sing to Teddy -- his own song -- and he knows it --- purr purr purr machine.

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  3. You are so wonderful with these cats.....these are real beauties. Miss Mae is the same way with her nanny sitter...rather haughty and not very gracious when welcoming visitors....

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  4. Cat's are all so different, each one truly is unique, and has different wants, and needs...People that generalize and say "cats are all the same" are missing out on so much love. And limiting their relationships by doing so.

    It's their loss, not the cats....they will just flick their tails and saunter off...but those of us that truly love them for whom they are are rewarded with a head bump, or a purr.

    Jen

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  5. I have nine different personalities at home! That´s why the life with them it´s so wonderful! A friend of mine says: How do you remember their names? and I answer: Not only remember their names but their nicknames,what they like and what they don´t and the special cares they need cause two of them have urinary troubles...
    The most delightful part of your job Deb must be when the kitty with the most shy or difficult personaly falls in love with you!

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  6. In all my years of being a Cat Mama, I've never had two alike! I too have had the scare when you can't find one of them and of course they are taking a nap in one of their hidie places! Love my kitties forever!
    hugs, Linda

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  7. I'd be in heaven meeting up with all those different kitties! And they ARE different.

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  8. I'm glad you found that one kitty! Phew! I get so scared when I can't find my cats. They are usually just napping somewhere hidden. The cats are so lucky to have you taking care of them.

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  9. I love this B&W kitty. Great face!

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  10. That was a close call with the missing kitty. Probably chuckling to himself the whole time you were looking!!
    The black and white cat has wonderful markings.
    My two kittens, Pixie and Pyewacket are siblings, each so very unique, opposite purrsonalities. It's so much fun watching them grow and develop, and learning their little "quirks".

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  11. I love to be taken along on your adventures. Thanks! DARling pics.
    Wish you lived here!

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  12. The poor little girl, alone and frightened. Just give her time. She'll fall head over heels for her cat sitter.
    Deb, have you ever sat for a kitty you couldn't win over?

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  13. Truffle and Brulee are slowly warming up to their pet sitter.

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  14. "Cats are all the same" is a ridiculous statement! All of mine have been different in nature, likes, dislikes, intelligence and depth of emotion. And, that's just the start of how unique each one is!

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  15. They are all different and I always feel so privilged to have known the ones which I have known. Each little character unfolding over time. I agree that reading to them often delights them. I have tamed some ferals that way. Minerva ~

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  16. Cats are all very different. Part of what makes them so much fun to have around.

    These two are beautiful kitties!

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