On a recent day off I decided to do to Striker (the cat) what he does to me. Seemed only fair to show him what it’s like being on the receiving end of certain behaviours, right?
Here is what I learned…
What I did: got super close to his sleeping face and stared until he woke up.
What I learned: Striker doesn’t like that. Don’t do that. A startled awake cat is an unhappy cat.
What I did: I couldn’t stand on his chest while he was laying down and try to limit his breathing ability so instead I laid my head on his tummy area when he was laying on his side.
What I learned: Striker doesn’t like that. Don’t do that. A squished cat is an unhappy cat…who may or may not decide to bring out the claws.
What I did: talked to Striker incessantly because I could almost see the bottom of my bowl and I was obviously being starved.
What I learned: Striker doesn’t like that. Don’t do that. A cat being irritated by a talking human is a cat thinking of how best to get his human to shut up…permanently.
What I did: I got in bed first and spread eagled to take up as much space as possible, leaving Striker to get comfy in what little space was left.
What I learned: Striker doesn’t like that. Don’t do that. Striker will one hundred percent meow at me loudly until I move so he can have the prime spot on the bed.
And lastly…
What I did: commented on every yawn and stretch I did all day instead of comment on Striker’s adorable yawns and stretches.
What I learned: Striker couldn’t care less about that and is adept at ignoring me.
My life lesson from this is don’t pretend to be a cat, I can’t be as good of a cat as Striker can and mimicking Striker put me in danger of claws and teeth and revenge, not exactly ideal.
The Amazing Shrinking Woman 