It is never easy to go away for a few days. Like a parent leaving a child unattended, I always feeling guilty about the two cats who are left behind.
Many people believe that cats are antisocial animals who do not need human contact. To those people I say this; you have never owned a cat. Cats may be more selective on who they will shower their attention upon, but make no mistake cats NEED people. At least my cats do.
We left for Frankfurt on a Tuesday morning. No less than two giant bowls of food, three giant bowls of water and two sparkling clean liter boxes were lovingly placed out for Opus and Roscoe; more than enough supplies to get my greedy cats through four days of solitary confinement.
We had a great time in Frankfurt, but often my mind wandered back to the cats. Were they alright? Were they sad and lonely? Part of me didn't want to leave Frankfurt, we had really enjoyed our vacation, but there was a part of me anxious to return my furry babies.
Both Opus and Roscoe were waiting at the door to greet us when we arrived home, shouting "Welcome back! We missed you! Where have you been?". Which might have sounded a lot like "Meow, meow, meow," to the untrained ear.
For several days, the boys (as I like to call them) followed us around. Keeping a close eye as to make sure were weren't going to run off again. But after time, Roscoe went back to his normal behavior of paying attention to us only when the mood strikes him. He is either very forgiving or very forgetful.
Many people believe that cats are antisocial animals who do not need human contact. To those people I say this; you have never owned a cat. Cats may be more selective on who they will shower their attention upon, but make no mistake cats NEED people. At least my cats do.
We left for Frankfurt on a Tuesday morning. No less than two giant bowls of food, three giant bowls of water and two sparkling clean liter boxes were lovingly placed out for Opus and Roscoe; more than enough supplies to get my greedy cats through four days of solitary confinement.
We had a great time in Frankfurt, but often my mind wandered back to the cats. Were they alright? Were they sad and lonely? Part of me didn't want to leave Frankfurt, we had really enjoyed our vacation, but there was a part of me anxious to return my furry babies.
Both Opus and Roscoe were waiting at the door to greet us when we arrived home, shouting "Welcome back! We missed you! Where have you been?". Which might have sounded a lot like "Meow, meow, meow," to the untrained ear.
For several days, the boys (as I like to call them) followed us around. Keeping a close eye as to make sure were weren't going to run off again. But after time, Roscoe went back to his normal behavior of paying attention to us only when the mood strikes him. He is either very forgiving or very forgetful.
Roscoe the Forgiving
Opus on the other hand is stuck on me like stink on cat poo! It has been two weeks since our vacation and that cat will not stop following me around. If I am in bed, he is in bed. If I am on the computer, he is on my lap (like he is right now). If I go into the bathroom, he follows me in. And if I take a long hot bath, he keeps vigil on top of the toilet patiently waiting for me to finish.
Opus the Needy
Sooner or later, I know that Opus will go back to acting like a cat rather than acting like a dog. In the meantime, I am really enjoying all this attention that he is lavishing upon me.
12 comments:
That is so cute! They really, reaaly, really missed you!
I used to love when my cat was needy. Enjoy it while it lasts!
How cute that the boys missed you so much. Just imagine how they will be after your trip to the States this summer. What adorable pictures of them! Their cousin Panther says hi, he also says he knows what it is like these days to feel ignored!! :)
How sweet is that! people are crazy to think cats aren't affectionate. hehe Mine used to do that too. so cute...
Wonderful!!!!! The boys are back, more about the boys. Too cute
Going away for a few days makes our cats act just like described. When we are here all of the time they give us considerably less attention. We really feel bad when we leave for 15-20 days to go to Italy without them having a live in sitter. Hopefully one of our children will vacation at our home next Summer.
You really are an optimist! That's OK, we need optimists. Those cats were pissed off! All those meows were Xrated.
Once I lived in a three story house with three baths one on eacg level. My kid and I went off for a 3 day weekend in NY. When we opened the door on our return, there was toilet paper everywhere. The two little cats had siezed the end of each roll and carried each to every part of the house. No tears, just trails. Think they were saying nice things to us?
Totally totally how Opus and Roscoe's Roman cousins Pavel and Betsy act. I hate leaving them too and they DO need lots of human attention!
Our cat, Sombra, is just like that, on the first couple of days after we return if he does not see us for a moment he will start "calling" us and looking for us around the house :)
Our cat sitter tells us that he keeps crying when she comes over as if asking her where his parents are; and you are right he does ask more like a dog than a cat.
I fully sympathize with you! One cat here, Ace, used to be really shy. He reminded me a lot of my kitty Scooter. Before my trip I started working with him to try and get him to come to me and let me pet him. After awhile he was on the couch with me a lot wanting attention. When I got back from my last trip, I could tell he was a bit mad at me at first, but within a couple of days he started following me around constantly wanting attention! And this is a talking cat, he'll talk to you all day long if you let him. Pretty soon he started sleeping in my room with me, which I thought was cute - at first. Then it started getting really annoying because he'd be scrathing at my door several times during the night to get in or out. Now it has gotten to the point that I just leave my door open all night so I dont have to get up every couple hours! but he'll still occasionally come jump on my bed to wake me up wanting to be petted.... at 3am!
Lori
ps, the cats mus thave known i was writing about them! I'm now sandwiched in on the couch with a cat on either side and one arm unusable!
Lori
Jane- Opus is a sweetheart. Roscoe too, but Opus is the needy one!
Sognatrice- I LOVE a needy cat every now and then!
Scott and Em- A big hi and hug to Panther. Tell him Aunt Cyndi can not wait to be there to shower attention upon him! Will miss the boys like crazy during our stay. But what can I do?
Stacy- I always thought cats were antisocial too until Opus and Ros came into my life. I guess because like to hide when company comes.
Mom- More about the boys soon!
Gil- I hate to leave my boys too, but we cant stay home. Hope that your kids will be able to keep them company while you are gone!
Judith- My glass is always half full even when I KNOW it is really half empty. Curse words were the first thing the boys learned when they started speaking Italian! hehehehe! Just be glad your cats only left a trail of TP and not a trail of PP! hehehe!
Shelley- A big hug to cousins, Pavel and Betsy! Maybe the next we go away, they can come stay with Opus and Roscoe for company!
Cecilla- Poor Somba! Doesn't it just break your heart! I HATE it the boys cry like that. Makes me want to stay home!
Lori- Opus and Roscoe play the door game. For a while it was tough because I would throw Ros out of bedroom for meowing. But Opus (who was always quiet) would pound on the door until I let him in. That was fine but I had to keep the door shut to keep the mouth out. Of course Opus would always wake me up if he needed to eat or go to the bathroom. Now Roscoe is more quiet in the night so we just leave the door open.
Cyn
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