The girls are testing me lately. I thought that once they turned 2 years old things would calm down a little, because they would be out of their ‘kitten stage’. But since Gabby and Izzy think they are humans (or at least human-like) anyway, it would make perfect sense that they are now in their terrible two’s rather than well on their way to laid-back kittyhood. Of course as I write this they are completely defying everything I am saying about them, as they sleep soundly curled up on the couch and living room floor, looking all innocent and sweet. Don’t be fooled. The witching hour is near.
Most people this time of year are making Christmas lists; I am making a list of things to kitty-proof my home. Toddlers, anyone? I have decided to get those baby cabinet-locker-outers because Gabby will not stay out of my cabinets. Kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, she doesn’t have a preference. Mainly if it’s closed, she’s going to open it. Except she can’t get it open on the first try. So I hear thump, thump, thump, thump, as she pulls it open a few inches and it shuts, over and over and over, thump, thump, thump. I have come to the conclusion that she does this for no reason other than because she can, because she has no problem getting it open wide enough to get her fat tail inside after the 15th try. I come home from work and it looks like invisible people have been rifling through my kitchen cabinets, 2 or 3 left open here and there (because she doesn’t close them after she rifles through them of course). She prefers to go through my bathroom cabinets at precisely the time I’m good and settled under the covers and about to drift off to sleep. Maybe she thinks I like hearing the gentle thump, thump, thump as she tries to open the door. Sigh. I realize in the grand scheme of life this is not a big deal. But in the grand scheme that is dealing with my ‘children’ it is annoying to say the least.
It sounds like all of my complaining is about Gabby (sorry Gabs). So what has Izzy done lately? Well, as I’m being invaded by ladybugs she is being a little too inquisitive about chasing them. Like, sitting on the back of the couch ready to jump on top of my curio cabinet that is by the way holding my handmade in Italy glassware that we won’t even talk about how much I paid for. Uh, yeah. Heart attack. So ladybugs, please move on. Judging by the claw marks on the wall at the same height as the top of the window, she can jump that high and you aren’t safe on the ceiling.
I got out my Christmas decorations this past weekend, planning to decorate a little at a time so that I could take my time with it. In reality it is probably so that I do not overwhelm Mo and Curly with the sudden display of what I’m sure they see as ‘new things to knock over and destroy play with’. I started out with my little Christmas tree for my room, it is about 2 or 3 feet tall so not very big. I put it up last night so today was the first day they were alone in the house with the new temptation decoration. I got home from work today, expecting to evidence of their destruction strewn all the way to the kitchen. No ornaments in sight, and I was feeling pretty confident. Way to go girls! Then I get back to my bedroom, and the tree is teetering eversoclose to the edge of the table, and there is an ornament on the floor. Ah-ha! So they were tempted. Still, everything was mostly still in tact so I was sort of impressed. I moved the tree back in to place, gave a pointless speech to Gabby and Izzy about leaving the tree alone, and left to go to church. I returned a few hours later to find the tree in the exact same balancing-on-the-edge-of-destruction spot as before. Hmm. I think I’ll have to start closing my bedroom door while I’m gone.
On sort of a more positive note, they have reminded me lately of how sweet they can be. My Granny Sarah passed away recently, and it was very sudden. As anyone who has lost a loved one knows, it leaves such a hole in your heart. I think pets are very sensitive to how we are feeling, especially when we are feeling bad. And that is saying a lot for cats, because they are quite self-centered and proud of it. They have both been particularly snuggly lately, and that has been comforting. A few days ago I brought home Granny Sarah’s rocking chair from her living room and the girls quickly laid claim to it. I think Granny Sarah would be pleased; a love for cats is something she and I always had in common.
Animals are the best! Despite the headaches, they know how and when to REALLY love!
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