There are those who might accuse me of anthropomorphizing my pets. Well, of course I do! That is the whole point of this blog!! There is a method to my madness. You see, I believe when we can identify on our level to beings different than us, we develop empathy towards them.
There are so many examples of how we, as humans, try to do the opposite. It makes it easier to justify our actions that way. We humans have a tendency to set up the "us versus them" scenario. This is intended to be a blog about animals, not politics, but if it were, I would use the Syrian refugee situation as an example. But it is, so I won't.
I could instead use the extinction of animal species as an example. Or the insane practice of dog fighting. Or the incomprehensible way farm animals are treated. There are too many examples to list where humans have destroyed or completely eradicated entire species of animals from this planet we're supposed to share. Uh oh. I'm getting all worked up here. Better climb down from my soapbox. Could somebody give me a hand here.....
Stop hurting animals!
Just. Stop.
In this house, the animals rule. No doubt about it. Jack, for one, has figured out the intricacies of maneuvering me about to get what he wants. In some cases, it's a multi-step process. For example - our morning routine.
Now, I like to wake up early, make my coffee, then take it and a protein shake into the bedroom, climb back into bed and turn on the TV to see if the world blew up while I was asleep. That is what I want. Everybody else is at cross purposes, however, especially Jack. What he wants is for me to begin my day by serving him.
Now Jack is not to be denied. But he wants to get his way without incurring my wrath. He has determined if he comes to the side of the bed and stares at me, wagging his tail, I will keep sipping coffee, while valiantly trying to ignore him. Jack also knows he had better not rake those bear claws down the side of my bed or he will see steam coming out of my ears. Remember, he wants his way without pissing me off.
He then goes to Plan B. Jack has figured out if he stands by the outside door, I will jump up to let him out. On the rare occasion, Jack has had a UTI or a reaction to medication, which causes him to pee whenever and wherever. He weighs 180# - about the size of an average man - so imagine a guy peeing all over the floor! So, I heave a sigh, dramatically throw back the covers and haul my butt out of bed.
Two things happen simultaneously - Jack suddenly does not need to go out, and runs instead to the bedroom door. "Oh, hey, you're up. Funny thing but I don't have to go out anymore. Since you're up just go ahead and let us out of here. Okay?" Meanwhile, Rooney is watching the whole thing; waiting to see in which direction they are going. Thus, my day begins.
Jack has also mastered the art of getting people food. I hesitate to call it begging - that would be beneath him. Sitting patiently while drooling huge puddles on the floor and making sad eyes better describes it. Both of them can tell the difference between meatloaf and salad, too. I no longer add onions to anything since they are toxic to dogs - in any form.
Mum's meatloaf is the best!
Boo! does not get the point of Jack. To her he is a giant, smelly, scary, messy thing who does not belong in her house! Yesterday, she was following me into the kitchen when she almost stepped in a puddle of Jack-drool. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed what she did! She slammed on the brakes, then jumped into the air and did a 180 - all in one lightning fast motion. Her tiny feet were not going to be soiled by something so utterly disgusting.
Then last night, while we were watching TV, Jack, who was keeping watch over the house from the darkened living room, did one of his "To You, the Invader - I am the Keeper of the House!" howls. He sounds like Zuul from Ghostbusters. I mean, people literally run past our house.
Anyway, I was holding Boo! As Jack came running into the family room to inform us he had saved our sorry selves - again - Boo! took one look at this "demon" and went ape-shit. Sorry about my language, but if you aren't used to it by now, well I use the best words I can think of to describe a situation.
I held on to her, mainly out of fascination, because I got my flesh ripped to shreds. Sounds were coming out of that tiny body you could not imagine! She was hissing, spitting, clawing and twisting. If she had been bigger than the hamster-size she is, I would not have stood a chance. Even Jack stopped in his tracks and just stood there, stupefied.
I did not dare let go because I wanted to calm her down. I took her into the bedroom and let her know I would always protect her. Ha! I feel certain she will be the one protecting me one day! I can see the headline now - "Old Lady Saved from Attacker by her Tiny Killer Cat!"
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| Do not mess with the Boo! |
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