Uppity Kittens

Posted on May 29, 2003 in Cats

Fiona gave us our first shock: she discovered the loft. The scarey part isn’t when she walks out beyond the rail and trots back and forth. It’s when Boadicea starts to play with a rattly thing down in the living room and Fiona leans over the edge, trying to decide if she should jump down to join us. I’ve learned that the smart thing to do is to head for the stairs, go up a few steps, and call her name. She comes running at my voice — the Big Playmate! — and I lead her down to safety.

Boadicea likes to lay in my lap while I am at the keyboard and bite my hand. I deal with this by raising both hands over my head and saying “Ouch”. She’s learned that she can chew on my Medalert bracelet chain and not be denied her pleasure.

Virginia Mew has been narrowing her circle of tolerance. Before, the sight of one of the little ones down the hall unnerved her. Tonight she let Fiona get within 18 inches before she started to growl.

I think she wants to play with them, but Boadicea turns and growls if Virginia gets too close. Last night, with the baby gate and seven feet between them, Boadicea arched her back and screamed softly at Virginia. “Now that’s silly,” I said to her.

I’ve taken so many pictures of them that they’re all getting bored with the flash. I even have shots of Fiona yawning.

As they gallop down the hall, ignore my command to stay out of the loft, and scratch me for rescuing them, I say “You’re Uppity! Uppity Kittens!”

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I read not so long ago that the animal outside of the primates whose DNA most closely resembles ours is the cat. Having watched baby monkies and having watched these two, I note the behaviorial resemblances as well as the particular configuation of the tail and the legs as they dash.