Tue 29 Jan 2008
What is a Good Cat? Miss Lizzie Emotes
|
”She…sat me on her lap and began talking to me — ‘What a good cat you are…‘ — and other such nonsense. ”There are human beings, my mother had said, who will do anything to get you into their stew pot. You must watch carefully. Sometimes a human friend is only a patient woman with an excellent recipe for fried cat. ”Fried cat!” — Susan Fromberg Schaeffer, “The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat.” |
|
It’s impossible for us to thoroughly understand why Lizzie is still a classic fraidy-cat. After living with us for so many years, does she really think we might put her in a stew pot? Lizzie lived through some hard times in the months before we adopted her. But, setting aside the points of view of nature-versus-nurture, maybe the simplest answer is the best one. Now honestly, if you were living with beings 10 times your size, wouldn’t you be at least a wee bit nervous when they were around? Perhaps a more reasonable question would be why our other 3 cats are so calm and nonchalant when we walk by. However, we’ve also learned that our easily-frightened (but sweet-tempered) little cat has in her more than a trace of a drama queen. Other cats demand food from us in a straightforward way; Lizzie seems to prefer to make a small production out of her desire. More than once, Pat has watched Lizzie look down into her empty food dish, touch it gently, then sniff it and lick it slowly, as if she were sadly searching for any remaining molecules of sustenance. You can just imagine her plaintive claim: “No, don’t mind me…I’ll be all right. There must be one or two crumbs left.” Her efforts have led the two observers at our house to review her portrayal of a poor pitiful starving cat: “A heart-rending performance…sure to crack anyone’s resolve. Two thumbs up!” And yes, one food dish filled up. |
Coll said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 1:13
I love the quote and the cartoon drawings. You are one very talented cat daddy.
I guess for many of us.. we simply are what we are… and in sweet Lissie there just naturally is a bit of the drama queen. Sometimes nature wins no matter how much the nurture.
Gypsy & Tasha said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 4:42
Hey LIzzie, Don’t worry about the comments - it’s okay to be a little cautious around big clumsy humans - the main thing is that the bowl keeps getting filled up.
Purrs
Gypsy & Tasha
The Meezers said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 9:06
i’m a little scairt around the big beans too sometimes. it’s ok Lizzie.
I must take acting lessons from you though, so that I can get more foods in my dish. -Miles
Artsy Catsy said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 10:22
Happy belated Gotcha Day, Lizzie! And don’t worry, I get scared, too … especially of things that nobody can see but me!
Rocky
Samantha & Tigger said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 12:24
Happy Belated Gotcha Day, Lizzie! And many, many, many mooooooore!
Tigger and I get scared when someone new comes around and we run and hide!
And we think that is a wonderful way to get your food bowl filled.
Your FL furiends,
Daisy said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 13:03
Bravo, Lizzie, Bravo! A fine performance.
Zippy, Sadie and Speedy said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 13:25
Oh Lizzie, yoo deserve an Oscar and a Golden Globe and any other award we can get yoo! Um, we get scared when daddy starts stomping around wif his big feets, a little less wif mom cuz she is smaller and much more “tail aware” den dad.
Beezer said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 13:58
Lizzie,
That is a good method. I use the jump on the sofa - look at the bean straight in the eye - reach with one paw - and a little meow method.
Whatever gets you dinner, its all good!
Hope you are having a wonderful gottcha week.
Fat Eric said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 15:13
Oh, happy belated gotcha day Lizzie!
I like to lick an empty foodbowl too, I lick and lick until my mum thinks the surface of the bowl is going to be worn away…
Hendrix said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 17:21
Hi Lizzie. Happy Belated Gotcha Day! We’ve had bad news so it is nice to have something to celebrate.
I’m so glad you have such a wonderful forever family. I hope you aren’t really scared of them…just liking the attention….you’re such a pretty ladycat!
Mickey said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 19:32
Well ,you shy,sly little thing!! I like the way you can work the starving angle!!
They always say you have to watch the quiet ones,
Obiviously,you are the smart one,heehee
Wrigley & Cobalt said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 21:04
Cobalt: I’m shy around the humans too, though I’m starting to sometimes open up to them. You are very good at getting them to fill your bowl up! You sound like a star performer.
William said,
Tue 29 Jan 2008 at 21:27
Maybe she’s just being a lady about it. It works, doesn’t it?
Oh, and we have that book!
The Crew said,
Wed 30 Jan 2008 at 10:06
Even though my family is great and takes good care of me, I’m a little skittish too, Lizzie. I think it’s just part of my personality.
Max S
curator said,
Wed 30 Jan 2008 at 11:11
Well I wish I could see that myself! Sounds heartrending - I know I’d never resist it.
Cheysuli said,
Wed 30 Jan 2008 at 11:41
Certain humans are frightening. I hope that you got more food though.
Miss Peach said,
Wed 30 Jan 2008 at 21:34
I am so happy that you have had so many gotcha days Miss Lizzie!
Love Miss Peach