New Year’s Pet Resolutions
It’s 2013, wow. A new year is a time for reflection on the past, and resolutions for the future. My furry crew tells me it’s a good time to take stock of the past year from a pets’-eye-view, and the year to come.
The Magical-Dawg romped through the year and once again mystified the vet, this time with a “sterile abscess” and swollen face. He’s now six—and still keeps me on my toes.
Seren-kitty has reached the grand age of 15 and has become MORE active compared to last year. While she does sleep more, she now demands lap time (a first for her!) and wants more attention especially when it irks the dog. She’s now eating a therapeutic diet to help slow the progression of kidney insufficiency, and I see sprinkles of white in her black mask, her claws click when she walks (arthritis makes it hard to keep them hidden). Siamese tend to be one of the longest-lived cat breeds so I’m counting on having another decade with the wee beastie!
So here are New Year’s Resolutions from Magic and Seren, with commentary by Amy.
Magic: “I will teach my humans to read my mind when I stare into their eyes.”
Amy: He knows many words but hasn’t figured out how to articulate. So I resolve to better guess what he’s telling me.
Seren: “I will train my humans to make laps available ALL THE TIME.”
Amy: She insists on lap time each evening, but doesn’t quite understand why she can’t sit on the laptop computer. So I resolve to schedule quitting time earlier to provide for kitty lap-sitting requirements.
Magic: “I will kill all squeakers and chew sticky-out wrong parts on toys.”
Amy: He amputates teddy-bear ears, steals cat toys, and ends up with sparkly poop. I resolve to find a Magic-proof squeaky stuffed toy—been looking for years now. Same resolution as last year. *sigh*
Seren: “I will guard Amy’s lap and chase the (spit) dawg away from MY human.”
Amy: She particularly enjoys late night harassing, and especially teasing the dog to sniff by rolling on the floor—and then punishing him for the nose poke. I resolve to keep Magic corralled so that Seren can enjoy her rock-around-the-clock antics for as long as she continues to want to race.
Magic: “I will grab and stack every Frisbee in the house and play keep-away from Amy. Unless we go for a car ride.”
Amy: Magic adores playing Frisbee fetch. So far he’s managed to stack 8 at once and carry them, and insists that HE carry them all—but sometimes decides to play keep away and will only return if tempted by the car horn signaling a ride.
Seren: “I will meow and cry REALLY REALLY LOUD until Amy stops hiding.”
Amy: Seren’s age means her hearing isn’t so good and has trouble hearing and finding us. She’ll call loudly (especially late at night) as she searches for us. I resolve to ensure she can ALWAYS find us easily, by answering her cries no matter how busy I might be.
Seren: “I will train Amy the right way to play with the feather toys!”
Amy: Seren used to enjoy fishing pole lures but Magic gets frustrated he can’t play, too, and barks—which takes the joy out of her game. This past year, she’s stopped wanting to chase so much (arthritis strikes again!) but still loves her collection of feather wands. I resolve to keep a feather wand available at hand, for Seren’s face-rubbing, body-petting pleasure.
Magic: “I will chase any $%^&! coyote that dares stomp on my property.”
Amy: Magic has 13-acres he patrols each day, and carefully baptizes any coyote evidence to ensure critters know he’s the biggest dawg around. I resolve to keep him safe from marauding critters—no matter how much he wants to chase and sniff.
Seren: “I will sleep more, hiss less. Even around the dog—he’s not worth the energy.”
Amy: Over the past year Seren has become much more tolerant of rude dog noses, and stands her ground. I resolve to make sure she’s always the “top cat” in our home—after all, she was here first.
Magic: “I will go for a ride forever!”
Amy: Magic continues his love affair with the Magic-Mobile. Thank goodness the car keys are out of reach. I resolve to give Magic a car ride at least every other day, pending good weather.
Seren: “I will train Amy there’s more to nine lives than paw-tapping and staring at a boxy computer-thing. Like lap time snuggles. And whisker-kisses.”
Magic: “I will train Amy that sharing treats is a very-good-thing. So are tummy rubs.”
Amy: I resolve to listen to my furry wonders. What about you?
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Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai. www.amyshojai.com, cat behavior, cat care, dog care, dog training, New Years, pet resolutions, resolutons
