Cat and human interactive training – A different approach

I slept much better last night. I ignored the playing kitties – who had been napping when I went to bed, but woke up and got into full play mode right away. Mip Mips trying to play ON the bed got snatched and cuddled until they could escape and get away. I had to get up at one point during the night, and Ziva streaked through the open door into the lounge. She didn’t come back when I did, but later sat in front of the bedroom door crying to be let in. Which I ignored. The Mip Mips didn’t play for long, and settled down to sleep fairly early. So we slept.

I got up again early this morning and Ziva used that opportunity to come back into the bedroom. Straight for her food bowl. I went back to sleep. And ignored her until the alarm went off. I did spend some time with Ziva then, but she wouldn’t come close enough for me to reach, when I went out to make my coffee, I got her on the chair while I sat on the other chair – and could fuss over her for a bit. I’m too stiff to get down on the floor, though.

I also need to move the boxes into the lounge, the Mip Mips turn them into quite loud toys when they munch on them – yeah, don’t ask. They increase the size of the openings by munching on them. Though they don’t eat the cardboard – they scatter it around the room.

As I was leaving Ziva sat on the stairs. Not really keen to go inside for the day, but she lets herself be led to the bedroom. This lack of routine must really throw her, I’m afraid. She never knows whether I’ll be home or gone for the day – my work times aren’t regular, my work days aren’t regular. And some days I go out shopping and come back shortly, letting them out to play the rest of the day.

Ziva is working very hard to fit in, and fit me in as well. I changed my tactics with regards to Mip Mips and curtains: Instead of ‘No!’ or a squirt of water, I go ‘Oh no, why do you damage my curtains? Please go away from there?’ in a distressed tone – and Ziva reacts instantly! She comes to look what is distressing me and how to make it stop. But she finds this lack of routine quite daunting.

Having read up extensively about the Way of Cats, I’ve been changing my approach to training the felines in my home. I make time for each cat every day – if they are interested. Earl was not in the mood for attention yesterday, so I left him alone. Lady Jane has learned to jump onto my lap when I invite her – Earl and Mewthos still wait to be picked up, though. And as a result, I had no unwanted attention while I was eating my dinner last night!

I didn’t feed them before going to bed, last night, after all, as they were all napping on the chairs at the time. I just carried them through onto the bed. I’ll also need to change from the mousse – they no longer need it, and it is quite expensive. And they fall on ANY wet food with equal eagerness. Only Ziva is selective – and I have not yet discovered her preferences. When she first arrived, she would eat anything and everything, but now?

I do wish Ziva was cuddlier, though. When she first arrived she would sit on my lap and sleep there. She’s settle on the bed snuggling into the duvet for the night. Now she is more distanced. She lies down almost out of reach and wriggles out of reach as I stroke her. Maybe I should try The Drape? I obviously invaded her private space unwittingly, which resulted in her withdrawal – so we need to start again.

When I got home, Ziva was kind of distant. She didn’t want me too near her. A few pets was all she was in the mood for. The Mip Mips, however, were a different story! Lady Jane came for some intensive cuddling. She’ll jump on my lap, then walks up onto my chest – and when I lie back she’ll curl up lie down, purring away like a happy little engine. Mewthos also likes attention, but currently not as intensively.

I went down into the garden and Ziva and the Mip Mips followed, playing their usual ‘what mommy doing? Can I help?’ and climbing over and under me. Rose came home and showed me some photos of Lizzy and told me another happy-home story of her making friends with the dog. Eventually it got too windy and I went upstairs.

Ziva, Mewthos and Lady Jane stayed in the garden, but Earl came up for an intensive cuddle session. He insists on climbing onto my shoulders and the turns so his rear is in my face. After a few more turns he flops into my arms, rubs his head on my chin while I scratch his belly. In the middle of that I hear a distressed cat.

Off I go to check and see Ziva on one of the fence poles with Rose’s neighbour’s terror cat keeping her up there!  I don’t know what it is with that cat, but she will fight every cat! Rose’s garden is between her home and mine – yet she’ll come across Rose’s garden to fight with Ziva or Shadow! So I went downstairs and chased the terror, then coaxed Ziva back down. She came and rubbed herself against me – saying thank you for the rescue – even with her tail all bushy and her fur standing up! Mewthos and Lady Jane were up in the tree, and Rose’s poor old lady cat got chased from her sleeping spot in the process.

I chased the terror all the way home – well, not literally chased, of course! I’m no spring chicken, I’m a mean old bat. I chase with a look, a pointing finger and a stern voice. It worked. Terror tried hanging around Rose’s garden, but I was relentless until she was back in her own garden!

Then we coaxed Mewthos down from the tree, Lady Jane came down as soon as the terror had left my garden, and we all went upstairs and inside.

I received a message from someone wanting to adopt both twins. It’s a good home; but right at first, I wanted to say ‘No! They’re staying with me.’ But that’s being silly, isn’t it? Yes, I’m worried about how Mewthos will adapt to being left all alone – but I’m barely coping with four cats. Physically and mentally. And financially. Too many cats, too suddenly.

I sms’d Rose and she said the same: They’ll be together and they’re going to a good home. And I’ll be able to cope better and maybe get my sleep issues resolved. And it’s not like they’ll be out of my life! I’ll be kept informed how they’re adapting, how they’re doing, what new tricks they’re getting up to.

Well, nobody interrupted my dinner tonight, so I gave Ziva and the Mip Mips a treat as well. Although the boys are turning away from the mousse towards the adult wet food, but Ziva got a fair share as well.

They’ve played hard, they’ve eaten well, they’re settling down to nap – bodes well for sleep for me tonight!