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.)
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| 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.
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| "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.
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| 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).
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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.
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| MOOSE HAS LEARNED TO SLEEP ATOP THE THROW COVERS, |
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| JUST LOOK AT ALL THE HAIR (TO HIS RIGHT) THAT DIDN'T GET ON THE SOFA. |
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| ON THE OTHER HAND, MOOSE HAS PERFECTED SLEEPING UNDER THE COVERS. |
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DUDO WILL STILL DO ANYTHING TO GET ME TO PLAY WITH HIM.
AND I USUALLY CAN'T RESIST. |
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| BEST OF ALL... DUDO NOW ANSWERS THE DOOR. |
Of course I love cats so I love this post. My cat, Halley, was quite independent (aren't they all) but I had a Lazy Boy recliner.... all I had to do was make it recline... with that "RATCHET" sound they make when they recline... and no matter where Halley was on the farm, she'd hear it and come inside to lay on my lap. I still miss her....
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteDudo has a thing for our printer/scanner/copiers. As soon as he hears one powering up, he comes running.
Love those cats! They have come a long way and are learning all the tricks to get what they want.....the way it ought to be!! lol
ReplyDeleteDudo is a real cutie pie ....especially the photo of him under the sheet on the sofa!! And just think Mitchell, you now have your own 'doorman'!!
Jim:
DeleteMoose spent an entire minute on my lap today... without being held down. He even purred!
That's was Moose atop the throw AND under the throw!
"Best of all... Dudo now answers the door." almost made me fall off of my chair laughing :) ... and I had only just recovered from, "When Lindy tried to get him to do it a fourth time, he balled up his little paw and punched her." Come on now. They can't really be this cute, can they? Really? :)
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteThey really are that cute. I'm not making it up... although I have to admit that, when I quote them, I might be paraphrasing just a little.
So do I have to give Dudo the password if I should drop by?
ReplyDeleteMarty:
DeleteThe password is: "Do you want a treat?" He'll let ANYONE in!
I once noticed a Spanish priest calling a cat and it sounded like he was saying, "Mish, mish!" Which I knew as not the cat's name. When questioned he explained, "When I call the cat, I say 'mish, mish' because in Spanish the word for cat is 'gato.'"
ReplyDeleteHe found that explanation as satisfying as I found it mystifying.
Damien:
DeleteUff. I've heard people say mish mish to cats, too. It's used the way we use our peculiar English sounds to attract cats (those "swishy" sounds seem to work). But, aren't second-language explanations a muddle?!? I do a lot of smiling and nodding.
You're doing an admirable job of training your cats, or is it the other way around?
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteUm... yes.
Mitchell, your cats are wonderful and the look like as twins. Probably they are. Cats look very happy so it means you take care of the very well. And what's more in my opinion cats are selfish but intelligent ones.
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteThey're brothers, but they look very different when you look closely. (Of course, you have to look closely!) They're both sweethearts. Dudo seems to be much more intelligent, but Moose may just want us to think that's the case.
Next you'll be telling us they've learned to cook (but not from you). That photo of Dudo at the door is terrific!
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteDudo does watch me carefully when I'm scooping their daily treat out of the tin. He reaches for the fork. Maybe he's trying to tell me something.
I was thrilled when I saw how I caught him opening the door.
Just tell Dudo not to answer the door to strangers and all will be well - love the cat posts!
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteThe problem is, if the intruder says "treat," all hope is lost.
Of all the cats I've had over the years, not one has been a lap cat. However, that may be due to the fact I have short legs and a paunch which which doesn't give me much of a lap. I'm thinking you probably have quite a generous, cat-pleasing lap.
ReplyDeleteMs. Sparrow:
DeleteAlways great to see a note from you! Our first two cats were also brothers. Dobie immediately lived on anyone's lap. But even after 12 years, Maynard never once would sit on our laps... no matter how much we worked at it.
Dudo and Moose were both resistant, but Dudo came around well with some work. It's taken Moose nearly 2 years, but he is clearly coming around now too. I love it. I'm sure Dudo will be bent out of ship when he wants some lap time and he finds Moose already there. (But that'll take a while yet.)
I'm very late in coming to this post (due mainly to cinema-going 'duties') but you know I could never resist a pussy-blog - always guarantees a smile. And it delivered. Mind you, it can never fail.
ReplyDeleteRaybeard:
DeleteThanks for your love of cats. I've been a cat lover for a while, but these guys have really won me over -- heart and soul!
I can't believe your friend trained your cat to do a hind leg roll to get a treat. We trained our dog Socks to lightly tap our hands for his treat and it has come back to haunt us many a time. I will be sitting on the sofa reading and suddenly there is this little tap on my hand....
ReplyDeleteMaria:
DeleteIs it a hind leg roll or a standing twirl? I don't know. But Lindy, our niece-in-law, definitely speaks Cat (and Dudo catches on in a nanosecond). I know what you mean about coming back to haunt you. Dudo stands on his hind legs and taps me when he wants to play. I thought it was adorable and so clever... once.
don't let them fool you; they are plotting and up to no good that' for certain.
ReplyDeleteOh, Spo, but they're so cute... (And they don't have me fooled for a minute.)
DeleteRead your latest posts. Betty Crocker looks like food [somewhat] that you prepare. Sara Lee, god knows what's in there!!! My youngest is still very shy with strangers but one of my friends recently managed to approach her. My gals get excited when I say "C-R-U-N-C-H-Y" and they just go frantic when I shake the bag, just like on TV... I didn't much like the balcony picture because that is how I lost my first cat. But I am sure yours enjoy the view... Fun post!! So, still buying sweet rolls?!? ;)
ReplyDeleteTICKLEBEAR:
DeleteBetty Crocker started out with recipes and moved into ready made products. As for Sara Lee, I don't think god initially had any idea what was in there. But, we weren't picky!
I do love your kitties!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteI just find them really annoying and they get way too much air time... Yeah, right! Dudo is on my lap sound asleep. Moose is next to us on the den bed. I have to pee. And I won't get up because... well, this is bliss!