Cats and Company – The Lunch Meat Connection
For years this has been Mia’s sentiment when company dares to come visit…
Years ago when Dan and I would have house guests, the cats would react with typical feline horror and disdain. You know what I mean – once the thud of the suitcases hit the floor, several of the cats would take instant residence under the nearest bed. A few others would high-tail it up to the tallest spot in the house to glare at said house guests from a safe distance, and some would bravely walk among the strange new humans, with a cautious “you can look at me, just don’t touch” attitude.
When the cats hear company coming to the door now, rather than run and hide, they all wait to see what all the fuss is about!
Now, it’s an entirely different ballgame. Yawn. Company again. Whatever… That was the case when my step-daughter, Crystal, came to visit last week – not so much that it was boring for the cats, it’s just that they’re so accustomed to company now. Not only do they no longer hide in fear, but they have learned that company means good stuff. Like extra petting, treats, and lunch meat. You heard me – I said lunch meat. Being that I am a full-on vegetarian and Dan is nearly one, having lunch meat is something strictly reserved for non-vegetarian company. For Jazmine, that translated to an experience that was so exciting to her, she nearly exploded with the joy of it all.
Opening the refrigerator to the sounds of lunch meat packages brought all the cats running with hopes for a nibble here and there!
Having company also meant that my Mom and son, Chris, came by to visit as well. Which means that my grand dog Rick came by and since he is such a frequent guest now, they barely notice him. What it all really translated to, was more opportunities for them to try to convince people that they were allowed to go in the backyard (they’re not) and more opportunities to say, “hey, if Rick gets special treats, so do we.” The only difference, Rick has to do a trick to get a treat, the cats don’t….
Score! A victorious moment for Zee as he makes an outdoor escape! Don’t worry – the yard is fenced in and it was noticed .1 seconds later – but for him, that was the best .1 second ever!
The only thing that was significantly different with Crystal’s visit this time, was a lot more alone time for them. More so than any other time, we really took advantage of the world around us. We went to a highly entertaining dinner theater show one night, a comedy show the next, and even went on a walking cocktail tour in Miami that was conducted by none other than Christine Michaels of Riverfront Cats.
For the cats, having company means they get to nap in the ever elusive guest bedroom – a room where the door is normally closed and off-limits to them!
How did the cats react to us being gone and what did they do while we were away? Well, naturally, they napped. And napped some more. And waited for us to come home late at night to make sandwiches so they could have lunch meat!
For Rolz, having Crystal visit was such a treat. He is a real ladies man as far as cats go and wouldn’t let Crystal out of his sight as he gazed adoringly at her!
I love how comfortable the cats are with the ebb and flow of life in our household. It makes me happy to know they feel that secure with their own environment and that they don’t have to feel timid, afraid, or threatened with change. Not to mention, just as quickly as Crystal got here, just as quickly she left. Time goes by too fast… and now we are back to the normalcy of our own lives. I am back at work, Dan and I are binge watching Downton Abbey, and Mia and Zoey are on my lap at night, happy to have me back!
When it came to Zoey, she had no concern that we had company, or that it was the weekend, or that maybe I wanted to sleep in.
What is it like at your house when you have company? Do your cats run and hide, or do they like to be a part of it all?
Have a great weekend everyone and don’t forget that Friday, August 28 is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. If you have not heard about it, please click here for details on how you can participate. Don’t forget as well that there are only a few more days to help out the kitties at Cat Care Society in Lakewood, CO. During the month of August, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of my book, Purr Prints of the Heart will go to this rescue. Please click here for details.
LOVE the photo with all (or at least some!) of the cats looking out the window. I catch Katie and Waffles doing that together more and more. With all the construction in our house recently they’ve become surprisingly ok with visitors. Still… the doorbell sends them fleeing. I’m pretty sure Katie has trained Waffles to run when it rings. But it doesn’t take long for them to come back down the stairs to investigate.
Waffles is the lover boy though. Anyone who sits in a very specific spot, the inside corner of our sectional, will get a dose of orange love. He’ll climb on their lap and settle in for some attention and a nap.
I love that your cats are so comfortable with company, even the company of a d-o-g. Allegra loves visitors and is our official greeter. Ruby is shy at first, but curiosity usually gets the better of her and she comes around after a little while.
We both are shy first : we run out in the garden, but after a while we come back to say hello. Pixie climbs on her cat tree with the glance “look at me from far and don’t touch”, and Zorro is more friendly. Purrs
That is so great that the cats are all used to visitors now. It is fun when the cats make an appearance for guests. That sure is a nice dog to snuggle with the cats. You all have a great week end.
Well now it alll depends on who da company is. We don’t have a lot of company, and there awe a few peeps we don’t like. In their case we spend a lot of time peekin’ wound da hall wall hissin’. MOL Fur those we do like…we spend a lot of time showin’ off. MOL Have fun.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
The day after Mudpie moved in my aunt and uncle visited (who are both deaf and I’m sure make some very odd noises to a cat!) She was an absolutely angel and couldn’t have been any friendlier! I was so proud of her.
We kind of do both….but it sounds like you had a great time
That was a great post and a fun one too. We could so see the lunch meat being popular! Hey, tell Christine that Brian and Dad said howdy next time you run into her.
We usually run and hide when strangers come over. But then I’m the brave one and come out and enjoy the pets. The other cats here don’t know what they are missing. ~Wally
My cats shove each other out of the way for the chance to claim the visitor as theirs, even the former feral cats. And then they follow them around the house! I was thrilled that my formerly feral juvenile foster kittens, trapped at ten weeks and now five months, have socialized enough that they stand at the door and wave their tails for guests, and enjoy being picked up and held.
Glad your kitties enjoyed their visitors- and lunch meat 🙂 I always love your photos, such a beautiful group of kitties and they all seem to get along.
Those aren’t company; they’re family! We never have company but when Theresa came up last time I came over to hiss at her. TW barely eats white meat so once a year when she brings home a Blimpie with turkey roll, I get all excited. Yum!
BTW, Faith used to have a 1/4 lb a day turkey roll problem. Gramma gave it to her cos she hardly ate cat food. Gee, I wonder why.
Austin doesn’t have a standard reaction to visitors. It really depends on who it is. He seems to have some kind of radar that picks out who is going to be advantageous to him and who is definitely a no no!!
I loved this post! We don’t really have over night guests often because our condo is so small. Only 2 bedrooms and the second bedroom is my office.
When people visit it is Cody who must greet them, never Dakota.
I am so happy that you had a marvelous time with your guests!
I had to laugh though, since you are “part cat” you are a vegetarian? Cats are CARNIVORES!!
xoxo
catchatwithcarenandcody
Well, Miss Deb, for the first couple of years I would run when anyone came into our apartment – even Mommy! I finally stopped hiding from her and her boyfriend when they came in. After a little while more, I became brave like my sister, Lexy. Now when the doorbell rings we both run to the door to see who’s coming in. It’s fun!
Wonderful post, Deb. Our cats have also gotten more accustomed to guests (even though we don’t have many) … they have definitely figured out that guests = good stuff.
LOVE the picture of the opening of the refrigerator door! 🙂
Flynn only has to hear the creak of the garden gate and he runs for the bed. He has got better in the last few years though and will venture out to see who it is. You can look but you can’t touch though. Eric was everybody’s friend. He would be right there introducing himself.
Hmmm, its been so ling since wes has had visitors, mes not too sure what the others would do here in Midway. Mes really enjoyed all the company wes had when mes was living with Mommy in Calgary.
Kisses
Nellie