It Came in On Little Cat Paws

September 2, 2007

Ah, if my mother was alive, she would be horrified that I can’t remember my quotes.  The above line comes from somewhere, but where I do not know.  I often think of it when I am cat sitting and my ward would surprise me.  How did they get on top of the refrigerator?  Funny, I don’t remember shutting them in the a) closet, b) bathroom, c) any place that has a door.

Such quote cannot be said about my current ward, Miss Isabelle.  She is a cat of plebian tastes, says her mom.  Canned Friskies is her entrée of choice and the “toys” consist of found bird feathers, the front page of the NYTimes braided into a stick, and tissue paper left over from recent Gap purchases.  However, instead of a photo, her mom sent me an illustration (see attached).  Not so plebian after all.

I’ve stayed with Miss Iz a couple of times, but only yesterday did it dawn on me that she is, how shall I say this?  Klutzy?  And there, she just did it again, jumping off the window seat to see what I’m up to was announced with a THUD.  Maybe we are soul mates since my parents used to say my name was Grace until I started to walk.

I was worried the first couple of times I heard the THUD.  Did she fall somewhere?  Like out the window and onto the fire escape – we are in a New York City apartment, after all.  Did she fall onto something?  No, just the hardwood floors.  Is she injured?  No, she stalks away like a mini-panther in the jumble that is a small New York apartment.

The highlight of Miss Iz’s un-catlike behavior is the lap leap or lack thereof.  Yesterday, sitting at my laptop, like I am now, Miss Iz placed her delicate soft white paws on my leg and peered into my lap wantonly.  Being the pet person, I leaned back to make room for her fully expecting the ballerina-like, soundless leap.  Instead, I was greeted with claws wrapped around my inner thigh as she pulled herself up into position.  Boy, am I glad that a) she is only eight pounds and b) that I was wearing jeans.

If I was to be reincarnated as an animal, I always thought being a cat would be out of my league.  But, Miss Iz has thought me that anything is possible.

On that meow note, I must be off to open the morning can of Friskies!

Posted in Stacy's Escapades, Pet Stories, Pets