The cats here get a lot of exercise. They spend hours at a time out in the screened pool area, chasing lizards and things that look like prey. Leaves and palm fronds become bugs and snakes in their predator minds. I watched Chance the other day struggling with something he had "caught." He was shaking his head and acting like it was really giving him a hard time. When I went out to inspect, there was nothing there. Nothing.
I know they love cardboard boxes, so the house is cluttered with empty ones. At any given time, a cat (or two) can be found sleeping or cuddling in one of them. Last night, a box became "base" as in "I'm on base - so you can't touch me!" This was the scenario that played out:
Chance decided to challenge Fancy. Don't ask me why. Perhaps he wanted to play. Perhaps he had a death wish. I watched it unfold. Fancy was walking toward me. Chance jumped him, then immediately regretted his action. Fearing a backlash, Chance ran and hid behind a box. Fancy looked at me like, "Did you see that? I'm gonna kick his ass!" In a fool's move, Chance then changed his tactic and ran from the safety of the box to land one punch on Fancy's nose before diving underneath a coffee table. I knew what was coming next. I pleaded with Fancy not to kill him, but he was seeing red. I managed to grab Fancy before he could inflict any damage. Chance was cowering under the table.
Fancy and I had a long talk that went something like this.
Me: I saw what he did, but you're the bigger guy. You don't have to hurt him.
Fancy: I can't let him get away with that.
Me: Yes, you can. How about a snack?
Fancy: I'm not hungry. I want to kill that little idiot.
Me: I know, but please don't.
Andy: Hey, Fancy! Want some sausage?
Fancy: Huh? I don't know. What's that? Whoa! This is good!
And, suddenly, killing Chance was forgotten.
These mini dramas play out every day here. To some it may seem like they're all spoiled rotten brats. But they aren't. Yes, I cater to them. But every little soul in this house is loving and sweet. Well, Eli has his moments. But not with humans. He glares at the interlopers we brought in to keep him company. He was just fine, thank you very much, without them.
I think the more the merrier. I love having the equivalent of an animal pre-school. It makes life interesting.
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