 |
| Hadido, Gambok and Monica |
On mornings after the kitchen door is opened, our cats rush inside looking for warm places to snuggle themselves after a night inside their 'apartment' made of bamboo slats. It's probably cold out there, especially on stormy nights, but I don't want to wipe off their infernal wastes somewhere on the floor if I let them sleep inside. I've learned my lesson from their past misdeeds when on mornings like today's, my place would reek of that terrible smell only cats are capable of making. No, sir, from then on, they had to spend their nights out there, never mind their mournful pleas.
Bad habits aside, cats are otherwise lovable creatures. They purr and coo and make different sounds that are supposed to mean differently. I know cats communicate to us humans, and if you're that close to them, you'd actually understand what they mean. I am in the habit of talking to them, and the largest in the brood actually responds to questions with sounds I wish I can understand. I have renamed him 'Hadido' for no particular reason save that the old name 'Gaming' no longer seemed appropriate. The tomcat has grown big but he is still cuddly and cute as a doll. He snuggles up to your lap if you let him, looking for warmth and affection.
My only disappointment with this fellow is that he's a coward. I notice that when other cats in the neighbourhood - some smaller than he is - try to get inside the house through a small hole in the door, he gets jittery, his eyes grow large with fear, and he sits on top on the tallest cabinet looking scared. His younger brother is more of a male cat than he is for the fellow named 'Gambok' (for gamay nga tambok) meets the intruder head on in a pose that's ready to rumble.
 |
| Gambok alone on top of the fridge |
As I said on cold mornings, they rush inside to look for warm places to sleep on. Today, they prefer the top of the old fridge where it's warm and cozy. Soon they would doze off or pretend to sleep. At the slightest sound of a plastic container being opened, they would sit by close to me, knowing that I was breaking bread with my morning coffee. At breakfast time, they'd sit around innocently, you'd think they are not capable of any mischief. Beware. Those cute innocent looks are just a ploy. When you're not looking, they'd sneak up the table for that piece of meat or fish. Cats are by nature predators that would prey on their master's own food if you're not watching.
Have you seen cats pray? These cats seem to do so at 6:00 PM in front of our small altar. See, I have installed an alarm clock in this desktop with an accompanying sound of the Angelus being prayed by an old woman and a group of people. Before the alarm sounds off, they'd come together and sit nearby like they are waiting for something. At the sound the of the Angelus, they'd stop moving, as if listening to the prayer. Really, it looks eerie.
Here's the catch. The ritual became habitual because right after the prayer, they get their dinner. Try it.
No comments:
Post a Comment