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:
- I've become better at sales; I can now "sell" almost any new toy.
- It's all in my advertising. I'm able to dangle a streamer (or yarn or feathers) ever so enticingly, effectively baiting the customer!
- I'm even better in the housekeeping department. I can fetch, recovering balls from all over the house (usually under the sofa or fridge).
- I've honed patience ... the kind that comes from waiting while my cat decides whether or not to come to my calls.
- 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.
- 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?







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