Playing with cat toys: 6 skills that won't go on the resume

Yesterday the realization hit: I was not teaching my cat how to play with a new toy, rather, my efforts were providing a good half hour's entertainment for her; a comedy show of sorts. She wasn't the one slow to catch on ... I was!

Let me back up a bit.

When Frank and I welcomed Genie into our home about a month ago, we knew that her previous owner had never really played with her. Now, in my world that's simply a tragedy and was one more indication that Genie was meant to live with us ... because if there is one thing I know how to do, it's play!

For the most part, I've been highly successful with teaching this play-deprived feline new games. At first, she was fearful of the streamer-on-a-stick and suspicious of the various cloth and plastic balls ... but now she is very enthusiastic about both! Just this morning I was wakened by the sound of a bell-filled, catnip-infused burlap ball rolling down the hallway toward the bedroom.

As I arose to play with Genie, I decided that it didn't matter whether I was becoming her fun mentor or her personal entertainer, at least my cat was getting the attention she deserved. But what was I getting out of the relationship? Well, companionship for starters. Plus a whole lotta skill sets that will never make it to my resume:

1. I've become better at sales; I can now "sell" almost any new toy.
2. It's all in my advertising. I'm able to dangle a streamer (or yarn or feathers) ever so enticingly, effectively baiting the customer!
3. I'm even better in the housekeeping department. I can fetch, recovering balls from all over the house (usually under the sofa or fridge).
4. I've honed patience ... the kind that comes from waiting while my cat decides whether or not to come to my calls.
5. I've learned restraint; learned that one doesn't tickle the stomach of a fully clawed cat, especially when there are no antiseptic or bandages in the house.
6. I have even learned some magic: how to make the vacuum cleaner appear just as the cat disappears!

Okay, that last one's not a game ... at least not for Genie! Still, it is part of my new repertoire of skills as care-giver / nurturer. Talents that will enrich my home life if not my career!

What pet-related talents do you have?

Comments

[Brenda replies]

Linda -- Like you, it's time for me to play catch up with my blog and my blog reading! Each time I visit your site, I tell myself I need to write a gratitude post ... and I WILL get that done soon! In the meantime I'm happy to add you to my blogroll ... that's something else I've been meaning to do for too long! By the way, I think you're right ... that having animal friends does allow us to be kids again!

Christina -- Thanks for dropping by! Creative plant arranging is certainly part of being a pet "owner" isn't it?! I recently had to move a spider plant myself. On another topic, I was happy to see you address metacognition in one of your blog posts (Aug 6). This is something I'm working on myself and is a fascinating topic!

merelyme -- I love your pet-related skills! I hope you found the hamster ... before the cat did! ; )

Asoom -- Education via our animal companions ... it's one of the most fun ways to learn, isn't it?!

Titania -- Ahh yes! The nocturnal hunters ... whose "killing sprees" involve toes poking out from under the covers and anything that moves underneath the sheets!

Simplyriss -- I understand about not being able to have a pet right now. :( I hope you have other ways to get that that pet "fix" ... like spoiling all your friends' animals!

paisley -- Your comment made me laugh out loud. Sometimes I wondered why I wanted a new cat when, with our former pet, my nighttime experience was similar to yours! Somehow I was always the one in the middle. On occasion I'd feel especially squeezed, so I'd reach over the cat to see how much space was between him and the edge of the bed. Invariably I'd discover he had plenty of room to scooch over; he was just being a bit too much of a snuggle bunny! Our new cat, Genie, however, isn't that way (at least not yet). She prefers to sleep atop a wooden trunk that sits at the foot of our bed. I'm guessing that might change come winter, however!

[Linda]

Brenda! I'm loving your blog! I've been so all over the place these last few months that I'm finally getting back into my own blog (and discovering great reads like yours!). I wish mine looked as fancy! I placed a link to your blog on my site, if you don't mind me doing so.

It's amazing what we can learn from our furry friends. I grew up with cats and learned many things and created many new games (that only make sense to me and cats). I'm a relatively new dog owner and, wow, what an experience that is! I've learned, in a way, to be a kid again! I am so happy just playing catch and squeaking his toys along with my dog. I've also learned to become a bit of a mother to him. I don't have kids so I hope I don't offend any real moms out there!

Anyway, you have a wonderful blog!

Linda

[christina]

What a sweet post!

I've had to develop the talent of creatively arranging the houseplants so Velvet the cat won't eat them. He did a number on one of our begonias last week! :)

[merelyme]

awww what a delightful post. i have several pets myself, one of whom is a cat. i am definitely a cat person. ummm...pet related skills? the ability to better tolerate farts and burps (the dog), detective skills (at finding the escaping hamster), and acting like a human mouse (for the cat).

[asoom]

LOL my cats teach me stuff all the time!

[Titania]

this was a post I can well understand. I recently had a new addition. He is a bit playful but at times I noticed he is bored as he misses his brother and sisters so I try to get his interest in new toys. Here is the deal.... he only wants to play at night when I am trying to sleep. I guess my toes are more interesting then the store bought toys! :o)

[Simplyriss]

Interesting !
I love pets but sad to say that it's not allowed in our apartment.
By the way thank you for visiting my blog. Hope you will also visit my other blogs.
God bless.
It's me;
http://www.treasurestowin.blogspot.com
http://www.preciousgiftsoflife.blogspot.com
http://www.greeneryilike.blogspot.com

[paisley]

my best pet related talent is being able to sleep comfortably in whatever position the space between the dogs takes on when all three of us are in bed bed.... i believe i am part spaghetti,, way back on my fathers side....