Once upon a time Aimee wrote a series of articles called Dogs Teaching Dogs, Exhibits A, B, C, and D — Bad Habits.
Well, dogs aren’t the only ones who teach each other. Lately I’ve noticed Mr. Meow learning a thing or two from Tabby.
That’s right. The wizened old fart is picking up pointers from the young whippersnapper.
Lesson 1: Being More Loving Won’t Kill You
Mr. Meow’s pretty standoffish with most anyone else. It’s the rare person who doesn’t see him as a creepy cat. But he’s always had his quirky ways of showing me he loves me.
As I wrote in What’s the Deal With Mr. Meow? I’ve noticed he’s been more affectionate than usual, which has been a bit concerning. So much so I thought maybe an impostor had taken his place. (Especially because he’s gone out of his way to be more loving to Wayne too.)
But now I think I’ve got it figured out. It’s still him. He’s just trying to be like Tabby. He sees all the positive attention she gets by snuggling on our laps and either (a) doesn’t want to be left out or (b) shown up. (I haven’t figured out which yet.)
Lesson 2: This is How You Claim a Toy
Tabby’s a toy claimer. She does this by carrying her favorite ones around from room to room.
Mr. Meow has never done this. He’s more a “play them where they lie” cat.
Until this past week.
There’s one Christmas toy they both like. For the first time ever Mr. Meow picked something up in his mouth and carried it away from Tabby and over to “his” side of the play room. Unbelievable!
Lesson 3: How to Play with Exuberant Abandon
Referencing again that same toy, a string on a stick with tinsel tassels and a bell dangling from the end, Tab chases, leaps, and attacks it with exuberant abandon.
Again, being the kind of cat to play ‘em where they lay, Mr. Meow prefers to bat at it from wherever he’s sitting. He might do a mini-pounce, but full on chasing half across the room after it? Not his style.
Or wasn’t, until this past week when he also shattered that mold.
All of a sudden as I was dragging it across the floor to taunt Tabby, here he came bolting at it and yanking it clean from my grasp.
Crazy cat!
But it’s good to see him playing like he was a kitten again. I can tell he enjoys it, too, because every morning after Murph’s walk and again every evening, he’s the first one to dash into the playroom for our rowdy time.
Tab sure is a good teacher!
Other Chaotic Cat Chronicles
The Spooky Shriek That Pierced the Night
The Case of the Missing Wiffie
Crouching Meowy, Flying Tabby (Hidden Murphy)
How Mr. Meow and Tabby Won Over Non-Cat People