Cooperative Cats

I haven’t shared news lately about the cats and I’m sure you’ve all been missing them. Moose will soon be a lap cat. I work with him (force him) every day to sit on my lap. During our most recent attempt, he sat for an entire minute and I didn’t even have to hold him in place. Slow but sure. It worked with Dudo. (Click any image to see their gifts close-up.)

DUDO LOUNGING … WHERE HE’S PERMITTED.

After seeing Linda and Tom daily for a month followed by cat-lovers Matt and Lindy, both cats are much less shy around visitors. It helped that whenever Linda or Lindy came into the house, they gave the boys a treat. Our neighbor Jean is now doing the same. Funny how that works. I had taught Dudo to beg for his treats. Lindy taught him to do one spin on his hind legs. One day, he did it three times in a row, one for each small treat. When Lindy tried to get him to do it a fourth time, he balled up his little paw and punched her.

“JUST GIMME THE DAMNED TREAT.”

Both cats now immediately come when called. When I say, “Musy! Dudo! Do you want a treat?” they come running. OK, no surprise there. But when they’re on the terrace and I call them inside, they come in without hesitation. Still, when San Geraldo calls them inside, they usually ignore him. Don’t tell him, but I’ve actually caught them laughing. Interestingly, when San Geraldo calls out, “Musy, is it time for our nap?” Musy does come running.

THE NEXT “COSMO” CENTERFOLD?

Moose and Dudo both clearly understand they’re not permitted on the narrow wall of the terrace. They’re allowed to sit in any of the four recessed curved wells along the wall (see the previous two photos of Dudo).

ALL I SAID WAS THEY “UNDERSTAND.” (DUDO BREAKING THE RULES AND MOOSE DOING A LOUSY JOB AS LOOK-OUT.)

Read the rest of the captions to see all the other wonderful ways the boys have grown.

MOOSE HAS LEARNED TO SLEEP ATOP THE THROW COVERS,

JUST LOOK AT ALL THE HAIR (TO HIS RIGHT) THAT DIDN’T GET ON THE SOFA.

ON THE OTHER HAND, MOOSE HAS PERFECTED SLEEPING UNDER THE COVERS.

DUDO WILL STILL DO ANYTHING TO GET ME TO PLAY WITH HIM. AND I USUALLY CAN’T RESIST.

BEST OF ALL… DUDO NOW ANSWERS THE DOOR.