One
is never too old to have fun. My old lady, Josie, is sixteen, and doing well
(knock on wood). She is not what I would call active, but she gets around just
fine. Like the rest of my cats, she is not a big player of games. I am lucky if
I interest them in anything for a few minutes a day.
But
Josie does like one game. It is a very simple game. The accessories are a stick
(specifically, the clear plastic rod of the string-toy) and the cat-tree at the
bottom of which Josie likes to lie. I poke the stick through holes in the
cat-tree and my Chubs tries to grab or bite it. That’s the game.
There
are rules, however. The stick must be pushed through the triangular spaces
formed by the inclined supports that buttress the central post of the cat-tree.
Displaying the stick around them arouses no enthusiasm. The stick may, on
occasion, be pushed along the base of the cat-tree. The key element here, I
think, is surprise. Josie must be surprised by the stick’s appearance, in order
to have fun. As well, it must begin while she is actually lying on the
cat-tree’s base; she will not come from anywhere else to participate.
Yet
she does have fun. She tries to seize the stick in her stubby paws, but can’t
attain a purchase on it. She attempts to bite the stick, but her three
remaining teeth aren’t really placed for the action. Even so, she finds the
process quite entertaining, and is the only one of my beasts to purr through
any game. We play, she enjoys herself, and I enjoy seeing her enjoy herself.
It
appears that neither of us is too old to have fun.
That's both sweet and funny (the rules). I'm glad she still has a bit of fun, even if only for a few minutes. (Derry is much the same, not to be engaged in play for very long at all.)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love how she has developed specific rules for the game, like an Olympic event.
ReplyDeleteThat is sweet that she likes to play as long as it is by her rules.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see her having fun at playtime!
ReplyDeleteJosie's game is much like what Celestial Angel used to allow as playtime; not the ribbon toy...no, the stick! I'd poke it underneath certain things, which she would attempt to grab.
ReplyDeleteThese days, that same toy is now a favourite of Sweetie, but she likes the ribbon end, but only if I draw it along just so.... :-)
It is that impawtent! Rules are needed, and the game will be played to suit the Mistress of the Cottage.
ReplyDeleteGlad Josie is still having fun.
ReplyDeleteYes miss pops agrees that she likes to attack the stick too, but only for a couple of minutes. We enjoy your joy of her joy.
ReplyDeleteJosie's game is akin to my splashing in mud puddles. There are rules, a) ensuring I'm not far from home so I can get dry quickly if need be, and b)I have to know the depth of the puddle. B should really come before a...there has been a mishap or two. :)
ReplyDeleteJosie looks so cute playing, and she even plays by the rules. But it seems that after a bit of fun, it's time for a nap. After all, it's hard work having to do battle with the stick.
ReplyDeleteThe rules of cat-games are both intricate to them and unknown to us. Ayla only sees plastic milk bottle rings as toys, Iza only saw rattley mousies as toys. Marley sees none as toys, only wanting live mice.
ReplyDeleteI am uncertain about Laz. He is unused to toys. But he does show some interest in 2 battery-powered toys that make noises when tossed or batted. And he will chase tossed kibbles.
I think it is important that I get Laz interested in some sort of toy. He has been a stressed indoor cat all his life and is basically a teenager exploding with energy.
And Yes! Hence the saying..
ReplyDelete"Your never to old"..! Bless! :)
Oh! John..don't have yer e~mail..
DeleteBut..you might like this..in to~days paper..
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12398798/adorable-cat-tiny-legs-thousands-instagram-followers/
Aw, the poor little stubby legs... I'm glad he has a good home...
DeleteOh, yes, the rules we follow for play time are a must. How fun to
ReplyDeletesee Josie going for the gold. Good thing you are trained well by her.
josie; ewe R doin better N me; tuna; leest ya show sum interest...
ReplyDeletelast nite de dread lazer beem came outta noe wear...passed rite in front oh me; eye asked whatcha want; it pazzed bye, dinna answer me sew eye went ta sleep :) !!!
may bee de roolz knead ta be switched up like yur roolz; yur roolz be grate bye de way ~~~ ☺☺
happee week end two all, bee healthee :) ♥♥♥
Josie that is a great game you have there. Cats sure have preferences. Rumpy likes the back scratcher attacking his belly, Toby, Fitz and Einstein like the mousie on a string while Timmy is really hard to engage. He prefers exploring all over and doing things he likes like holding my hand next to him and purring. That is alright with me.
ReplyDeleteShe might be a little old but never too old to play like a kitten! Josie looks adorable playing with you. So glad she can still enjoy her life by her rules!
ReplyDelete