-=> Quoting Dianne Robbins to Walter Luffman <=-
 DR> I'm so glad that you adopted the mother.  Adult cats are truly
 DR> wonderful  little critters.  My first cat, KD, was adopted as a
 DR> grown-up and she has been a real joy in my life.
I specifically asked for an adult cat.  Kittens are cute and
very affectionate, but I wanted to avoid the six-month-old
crazies.  IIRC, that particular phase is like a combination of
"the terrible twos" and teenage years in humans.
I was hoping -- assuming, actually -- that the cat I adopted
would already be "fixed".  Meko wasn't; the local Humane
Society gives the adoptive human a certificate, honored by all
the local veterinarians, that is equal to the cost of adoption
when applied toward spaying or neutering.  So, lucky me, I got
to take Meko to the vet just as she was beginning to get used
to her new home.
 DR> KD prefers the middle of my bed or inside my underwear drawer.  Honey
 DR> prefers  clean laundry.
Meko's behavior has changed drastically since she came back
from the vet's.  Before, she would hide under the bed and paw
at anything (such as toes) that came within range.  Now, she
won't come into the bedroom at all if I'm there.  In fact, she
spends nearly all her time in the utility room and kitchen.
Her favorite bed is in a laundry basket -- but it's filled
with old throw rugs.  Clean laundry gets put away immediately,
so she's never had a chance to develop that taste in lounging
locations.
 WL>   Sloppy-joe sandwiches are meant to be *shared*.
 DR> In this house it is fried chicken.  Bacon is not to be shared.  Bacon
 DR> is for  the cats only.    
Haven't tried bacon yet, but Meko is indifferent to fried
chicken.  She doesn't care for chicken-flavor Pounce, either.
She's a *strange* kitty.
However, I've discovered she likes the liver-and-tuna flavor
Whisker Lickin's treats.
 WL>   In her opinion, apples smell terrible.
 DR> Well then.  You should never eat them in her presence.  
It's bad enough being forced to go outside most places to
feed my disgusting nicotine habit -- but I don't think I
like being forced outside my own home to eat an apple!  Ah,
well, I'll just have to accept the fact that my home is no
longer my own.  (Just for the record, I go outside to
smoke at home -- even I don't care for the smell of stale
cigarette smoke, nor do I care to spend my life dusting.)
 WL>   She likes to play hide-and-sleep under the bed in the guest room.
 DR> That's a good place.  How long did it take you to find her?
Not long -- she's only a fair hider, but a great sleeper.
 DR> My beasts are amused with the hall closet.  I'm pretty sure they think
 DR> it is  an opening to another dimension.
Are you *sure* it isn't?  And does the vacuum-cleaner monster
live there?
 DR> Well, she is your master.  You are supposed to do all that.  What? 
 DR> You expect her to have gratitude?  
I think she ignores me and pays attention to Mother just
because she knows it annoys me (and Mother, so she claims).
Of course, most cats seem to be inexplicably attracted to
"non-cat" people, which I suppose is just part of their charm.
 WL>   Her catnip mouse is actually alive; it just "plays dead" in
 WL>   hopes she won't stalk, pounce, bite and bat it around.
 DR> Of course.  Cats are geniuses!
NEWS FLASH!  It appears Meko is not interested in catnip --
but that toy mouse's tail is irresistible.
 DR> Ah, she didn't fall for that fuzzy trick either?  The handle is much
 DR> more fun. Also, the antenna on the cordless phone.
I haven't let her use the phone yet -- being a cyberholic,
my telephone bill is far too high already.
 DR> Consider yourself lucky.  Mine thinks the space bar is the perfect
 DR> rest for  her tail.  So, I had to adopt a strange way of typing so not
That's another way Meko is strange -- she'll let me hold her
as long as I'm standing, but she's gone the instant I sit
down.  I suppose I could try typing while standing up....
 DR> Good luck with your new kitty.  Give her plenty or love and kisses
 DR> from me. 
Done!
... Cats are too smart to show their intelligence all the time.
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