This morning we had a classic Lassie moment - you know, that amazing dog who told her owners stuff and saved people. Our hero was Kato.
We were busy putting away the weekly shopping, and Kato was asking for something. We didn't know what, and we were busy. When I heard Kato's next meow from the bottom of the stairs, and husband man's slight exasperation, I told him to go see what was wrong, that 'maybe Ava is locked in a cupboard or something'. And that's exactly what Kato was saying!
Except she wasn't locked in a cupboard. When husband man got to the bottom of the stairs and gently asked Kato what was wrong, Kato led him to the garage and scraped on the door. And that's where Ava was, crying to be let inside! Husband man apologised for locking her out, and we told Kato how clever he was. But wouldn't it have been a shame if we hadn't noticed, and believed, that Kato was telling us something? We might have told him to be quiet and leave us alone. And he may never have attempted to tell us stupid humans anything ever again!
I first read about 'listening' to your cat in this wonderful blog. And I'm glad I always at least give the cat my undivided attention, walking over to them and following if they take me somewhere, even if I don't discover what it was they were trying to tell me. My willingness shows my cats I'm trying- so they keep trying too. And sometimes, we DO understand and it's a sweet, sweet moment!
We were busy putting away the weekly shopping, and Kato was asking for something. We didn't know what, and we were busy. When I heard Kato's next meow from the bottom of the stairs, and husband man's slight exasperation, I told him to go see what was wrong, that 'maybe Ava is locked in a cupboard or something'. And that's exactly what Kato was saying!
Except she wasn't locked in a cupboard. When husband man got to the bottom of the stairs and gently asked Kato what was wrong, Kato led him to the garage and scraped on the door. And that's where Ava was, crying to be let inside! Husband man apologised for locking her out, and we told Kato how clever he was. But wouldn't it have been a shame if we hadn't noticed, and believed, that Kato was telling us something? We might have told him to be quiet and leave us alone. And he may never have attempted to tell us stupid humans anything ever again!
I first read about 'listening' to your cat in this wonderful blog. And I'm glad I always at least give the cat my undivided attention, walking over to them and following if they take me somewhere, even if I don't discover what it was they were trying to tell me. My willingness shows my cats I'm trying- so they keep trying too. And sometimes, we DO understand and it's a sweet, sweet moment!