Thursday, September 14, 2017

Dining Table Etiquette

The dining table seems to be exercising a fascination for the beasts these days. Originally, Renn was the only proponent of this sort of table manner, and then only at meal-times when he obviously belonged to the forward school of nutrition attainment. I think he also liked to watch me prepare the portions. And, as well, Cammie’s visits to the table have had to do with food.



Tucker has resorted to the table from time to time, though I don’t know why. He much prefers the cushioned chairs near by.


Josie has been on the table recently, but not when I’ve had a camera handy. In the past, she has enjoyed snoozing there when recovering from heavy brain-work.


But it is my sturdy-boy, foster-cat Parker, who enjoys the location the most. Sometimes, he simply likes to lounge there, though I can’t imagine it is comfortable. A couple of weeks ago, the position gave him the chance to observe at closer quarters the nocturnal flight of a moth.



The odd thing about Parker being on the table is that Tucker doesn’t appear to mind him being there while he, Tucker, is lying on one of the chairs. Usually, the roly poly doesn’t care for the orange boy’s proximity. The dining table seems to be a neutral ground, or at least it has been so far.



It bothers me not at all that the cats periodically spread out on the old eating surface. I know some people don’t care for it, and I can understand that. I do wash the table prior to any human use, either dining or writing, but I don’t clean it after every cat’s visit. I think I’d be cleaning it all the time in that case.

14 comments:

  1. It's nice to see Renn!

    I like the pedestal table. I'd wanted one for my little space, but couldn't find anything I liked within my budget. No matter what the table or its size, cats will get up there. Mine know better than to jump up when I'm around (though Derry will do it anyway, and get chased down), but of course they're up there when I'm not. Either that or it's a little fairy that pulls the runner and fake floral arrangement off the table at night. :-P

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  2. Seems to be the perfect one-cat sized table! And it's obviously The Neutral Zone, like in the old Star Trek episodes, between The Klingons and The Federation. LOL!

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  3. guys;

    378,099 timez ewe haz been on de tabull when dadz at werk

    45 timez ewe haz been on de tabull when him iz home

    ☺☺☺☺♥♥♥♥

    cammie; ewe look az if ewe R reddy ta leep to de counter....care full ~~~~~ happee week oh end two all ~~~~~

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  4. Good thing they don't all get on there at once. :) I don't mind the cats getting on our table either.

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  5. I assume my cats visit the table, the counter, the top of the stove, etc when I'm not in the house. A little more cat hair isn't going to kill me. And if it is something else between cleanings...well, so far that hasn't killed me either. :)

    Eileen

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    1. Yes, I think what the cats leave around has built up our immunity. Science is now thinking that having pets, especially cats, at a very early age gives babies stronger immune systems. Good news for Eli!

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  6. They are all making good use of the table. I had never seen Eric or Flynn get on the dining table even though I hadn't discouraged them. The counter top by the kitchen window was a different matter though.They weren't supposed to go up there, but Eric would jump up on the desk, saunter across in front of the computer, stroll across the counter top then jump off onto the rubbish bin.Then he would look at me as much as to ask what I was going to do about it.It is south facing and gets the sun most of the day. Often I would find him full stretch and fast asleep there.

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  7. Love what Sasha Saku and Sheldon said. I concur!

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  8. My cats will get on the dining room table, but not the table in the kitchen, (go figure.) Maybe it's because I have more things on the dining room table that they can knock off. They probably think they're giving me much needed exercise by having me pick things up.

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  9. My cats go everywhere. A little little spray cleaner with disinfectant puts things right again. The cleaner is probably more unhealthful than anything the cats can offer.

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    1. I like to have a clean house but one can go overboard. And I agree, chemicals in our everyday world probably do more harm than the natural things, such as cats.

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    2. Years ago I got onto using half hydrogen peroxide and half water in a spray bottle, for a quick disinfectant. Works beautifully, is cheap (dollar stores and Costco have the best prices on hydrogen peroxide), and now in more recent years I see companies marketing hydrogen peroxide spray cleaners. For considerably more money than is costing me!

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  10. perfectly sized and placed for cat usage....when they get on stuff here, mom says that is why cleaning supplies exist

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  11. Being up on the table allows cats to have a good vantage point from which to survey their surroundings. Until last weekend Hollybshowed no interest in being on the table - but after I had cleaned out a cupboard and covered the table surface with the contents Holly jumped up and helped me sort through the things - well, she sniffed everything. I have never minded cats being on the table.

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