The Nibbler and the Pig

I’m a dog person. Always have been. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love dogs. I’m sure they’re out there, but I hope to never meet them. It just doesn’t seem right to not love a dog. Anyway, I never thought I’d be a cat person, but here I am, the proud slave of two black cats. That’s right I’m officially a cat person.

Cats, like dogs it seems, have different personalities. That’s where the similarities end however. Because, cats are most definitely NOT like dogs. At all. Dogs come when called. Dogs, if trained properly, obey. Cats? No. Cats don’t come when called. Nor are they inclined to obey. Cats just do whatever they want, whenever they want, and how they want to do it.

But, that’s okay. We’re teachable. We’re learning how to be cat people slaves. That’s how it works with cats. They train us, not the other way around. And we’re not complaining. Since our little Fatso (yes that’s his real name) was born a year and a half ago, literally on the welcome mat by the back door, we have grown to love him so much. We had the advantage of handling him from the time he was just a few hours old and therefore he is very gentle and patient with us.

When he was about ten months old, he decided to adopt himself his own cat. A younger version of himself. That cat; however, just showed up on our porch so we’ve not had the ability to handle him like the first one. He was a brave little ragamuffin who snuck up on the porch, sneaked in and stole started eating my Fatso’s food. And my Fatso, being the kind-hearted soul he is, let him. So generous right? Yeah, he’s quite the fighter.

Except now we find ourselves with two cats to feed, two cats to care for, two cats to buy flea and tick medicine for, two cats to . . . well you get the picture. The problem is, Vader (the second cat, named because he inVaded my Fatso’s space) is not a very friendly feral. Yet. We’re working on it, but he’s a true fraidy cat in every sense of the word. My husband can handle him but he’s always cautious because any little sound or movement sets him off with claws and teeth at the ready. I can pick him up but I don’t try to cuddle with him. Neither of us can get him into a carrier for a ride to the vet. That’s our goal. Because he needs those rabies shots and those boy parts chopped off. I don’t need any more black cats roaming the neighborhood. I’m a responsible pet owner

Anyway, we’ve developed a routine of sorts with these little black beauties that seems to work for everyone. Vader is getting more comfortable coming into the house at meal time and Fats wanders in whenever he feels like it. Vader doesn’t really like the house, but we’ve stopped leaving food on the porch because of ants and, well, quite frankly, other stray cats. Two is enough. So if Vader wants to eat, he must come into the kitchen.

Vader usually comes in about 3 times a day and chows down like there’s no tomorrow. Fatso, on the other hand, nibbles a little food every time he wanders by the food dish. Or, whenever I pick him up for some cuddles. Then he cries and pretends like he’s famished and must eat that very instant. No cuddles for me. He comes inside several times a day, wanders to the food bowl, crunches a few pieces of food then saunters away. How can two cats be so different? When we had dogs, feeding time was practically the most exciting time of the day. And dishes were licked clean. No nibbling, just slobber, slobber, slobber til it was all gone. That’s kind of how Vader eats. Fatso? Nope, he’s a nibbler.

So, here we are, no longer dog owners but learning how to be cat lovers. Fatso is an amazing, sweet cat. Vader is a challenge but we’re learning. At least they’re both good hunters. And they know where the door is so when they’re ready to go back outside, they just hang there and meow. One of us, being the good little slaves we are, goes and lets them out.

Here’s some cute photos of Fatso. He’s the black chunky one. Unfortunately I have none of Vader. He’s afraid of the phone, the camera, me sneaking up on him, pretty much me in general.

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Are you guys dog or cat people? What uncanny trait does your furry friend have that seems odd to you. If you have more than one cat, are they distinctly different?

Word of the Day: Novaculite

Fun fact about me: I wish we’d have picked a better name when Fatso was nothing but a huge butterball of fuzz. Fatso no longer fits the cat. Oh well. He doesn’t care.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, November 2021. Images by P. Rickrode, Google and giphy.com

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