By nature cats are not followers. Even when they are following, they tend to do it from the front! Am I the only one to have noticed this? Many's the time I've indicated to Austin that he should "come with me please" (for instance, to the kitchen) to find that he's taken his natural position right in front of my feet so that when I take a step forward I have to decide in a jiff whether to tread on him or swerve sharply to the side, thus causing myself an injury.
Being an animal lover, of course, I would much rather do myself serious damage than harm a hair of his little feline personality. So we proceed on our journey, all the while his ears are like antennas checking constantly for any change in movement or direction. And I shuffle along behind in a kind of one-legged hop as I try to predict which way he's going to veer. I stop to regain balance; he stops as he's "following" me. I place my left leg to his left and right leg to his right. So now I'm straddling him! He looks at me:
"Make up your mind!"
I hop over him and gain the advantage of being at the front. He nips round the side of me and stands on my left foot. We reach an impasse. Confusion reigns. We pause to consider our positions and then the whole thing starts over again; but by this time I have forgotten what it was I was supposed to be doing anyway, so I swivel round on my one free foot and hobble back to base camp in the living room for a regroup and a bit of a think. Austin goes back to rolling on his catnip stash behind the piano.
=^,,^=
impasse - when it is not possible for 'im to pass
=^,,^=
Oh that "getting to know you" phase sometimes takes FOREVER and a day......when we look back on it a few years later it seems to hilarious what we've gone through.....but other than the loss of blood (!!!!) it was totally worth it!! Austin made his mark early on that's for sure......
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pam (and Sam)
Ahhhh Austin we cats are slow to accept and guarded with our love...but once we give it to someone they have it FUREVER!!!
ReplyDeletehugs madi your bfff
Yes yes and YES again and again and again. We go through this minuet every single morning in the DARK!
ReplyDeleteThat is as it should be. I always lead the way when I am following my mum.
ReplyDeleteWe like to lead too!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Furkids
That sounds so familiar. All mine get in front of me no matter where I am going. There just might be a chance that I will pass out some food. But your description is just purrfect. That is exactly what I do. It is like a little dance..
ReplyDeleteLOL! I remember that dance with most of our kitties! Stairs were frightening, especially if carrying a basket of laundry! How funny... I just looked up and see that Marg mentioned dance first! I didn't notice it... truly!
ReplyDeletelol I've been knocked over a time or two because they have to be in front.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Austin is trying to walk you!
ReplyDeleteMum is always saying don't stop so quickly when she has her hands full of "stuff" when we pause to give her time to gather her thoughts (if there are any in her head!!).
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Try having a rabbit running round you in circles when you're trying to feed him,now that's tricky,xx Rachel
ReplyDeleteYou lead cause your boss
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Binga still has been known to get underfoot - 15 years later!
ReplyDeleteThat catnip is a good option! My Sister Zoe follows Mom everywhere, she calls her a puppy.
ReplyDeleteCats are lethal assassins who take their fun where they can get it and breaking your neck seems to be one of their favourite passtimes - I remember it well :)
ReplyDeleteLynne x
dood....we dinna noe ewe played de pee anne oh....how total lee kewl is thiz !!!!! give uz a song pleez ~~~~
ReplyDeleteheerz two a tompot blenny kinda week oh end ♥♥♥
It's so fun to read these! Yes, kitties love to be underfoot, at least I do too to some extent. The lady is so afraid of stepping on me (which she's done many times). It's so cute, Austin, to hear how you and your mom got to know each other. :)
ReplyDeleteHAH! TW just steps on me and then apologizes 8 million times. My m.o. is to run ahead and then stop short ahead of her which is extremely effective in the dark.
ReplyDeleteWe do this to Mom and Dad ll the time. The best place to do it s on the stairs. MOL! The definition was purrfection. We are really enjoying these old posts. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
ReplyDeleteHAH! Seriouslies, those silly humans. Always getting in our passe. *snort*
ReplyDeleteLexy does that, too. She's always getting a little poke from Mommy's foot. We love reading posts about your past, since we just met you.
ReplyDeleteMOL Weez do dat too. Kitties awe da purrfect "followers." MOL
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
Very cute Tux. I call that following from the front- Phoebe does that all the time :)
ReplyDelete;) Mee ALL WAYSS has LadyMum at an 'im passe' when wee go to the kitchen Unccle Austin!!!!!!
ReplyDelete***Hi-5''sss*** neffkitty Siddhartha Henry =^,.^=
We are born leaders, Austin..and we are much quicker than people think :D Pawkisses :) <3
ReplyDeleteOhhh he was a clever little game player :)
ReplyDeletebwaahahaha! nice trick Austin. TKS is really good at that too
ReplyDelete