Oh, Woe to the Curious Cat...

[alfreda89]

So, for the first time in months, no years, I have beef chili. People's Rx makes an organic, gluten free version and I broke down and tried it. Still too much for my system, I think -- very tasty, quite warm in peppers, free piece of cornbread also good but even hotter than chili pepperwise. But it's the only gluten free chili I have found in town, so recommended. NOT mild.

I did what I often do in my efficiency living -- I set the plate and bowl aside on the bed until my next trip to the kitchen.

RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE

No, not an earthquake. I've been through an earthquake. Just dishes rattling.

Me, speaking in telepathy to the cat: You won't like that.

SNORT SNORT SNORT


Suddenly, an eight pound Burmese lands on the back of my office chair, snorting. He immediately is flexing his claws, letting the chair know who is boss, and snorting like the dragon he is in his dreams.

I crane my neck around and ask: "Are you all right?"

SNORT SNORT SNORT

I twist my body around: "You're not going to sneeze on me, are you? That would be rude."

SNORT SNORT SNORT

I make eye contact, and he takes this as an invite and walks across my lush shelf to my lap, where he sits dazed, his snorting fading. We make eye contact again.

Merlyn: WOW. Do you really eat things like that? I can't believe you ATE that.

Me: Do you remember the lemon yogurt? Not everything is as it seems.

This reminder was a mistake. The look becomes annoyed. He clearly remembers the yogurt incident, and has never forgiven me for it. That one was my fault, forever and a day. This one will be my fault, too, in cat memory.

Me: Do we need to run to the doctor? Remember that we have no money?

Snorting ceases. Bewildered small cat is sitting like an Egyptian statue after a race. I check the bowl. It was scraped clean before I set it aside. I can see three tiny tongue streaks from where sampling commenced until the heat kicked in.

He is now back in his basket, alternating between occasional accusing looks and trying to sleep. I don't think it's hurt him - I'm considering giving him a tiny bit of my friend's milk to cleanse the palate. But I'll watch him.

And next time, carry the dishes out immediately.

Merlyn, when petted: Purr purr I love you - oh, wait! I must look away to express my displeasure!

You're going to keep petting me? And promise to never feed me chili again? Well...all right....

Comments

[aishabintjamil.livejournal.com]

Cats are strange creatures. I've had a couple that *liked* spicy things. And a Persian that liked vegetarian refried beans. He heard the magic can opener sound, and came running, so being evil I offered him the spoon when I was done, thinking "Heh. You just think everything that comes in cans is yummy." To my immense surprise he proceeded to lick the spoon clean, and look hopefully up at me for more.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Merlyn loves vanilla goat milk yogurt and the Yoplait(?) White Chocolate Raspberry yogurt (which of course has no chocolate in it.) He's very disappointed that I don't eat dairy much anymore. I also knew a cat that liked guacamole -- he'd do flips down your leg to get your attention when you had guacamole.

Cats are indeed unpredictable. I even had a cat who liked potato chips -- and not just the salt. He'd nibble on several of them, sans the salt, until he tired of them and wandered off.

[6-penny.livejournal.com]

I knew a cat who liked french fries, and would pick each one up with his paw -handwise - not with claws, and eat them munch down the fry as he held it. That one would also turn door knobs, while his sister pushed on the door.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Grin!

Max opened accordion doors, and cabinets -- Merlyn hasn't ever really cared for the trick. I assumed that Max was curious, or hated a shut door, while Merlyn prefers to demand that I open them. That guac-eating Burmese opened door knobs and flip lever doors. Claws not necessary -- Max was my last declawed cat. With claws, he would have taken over the world!