Monday, November 27, 2017

Harsh Punishment

During the weekend, I accidentally stepped on Parker’s tail. I am pretty good at avoiding such mishaps. I think I have done it only a couple of times in the last ten years. I recall putting my foot on Tungsten’s tail early in our acquaintance. It was in the dark and she shrieked. Needless to write, the effect on me was dynamic. She was, of course, more surprised and outraged than hurt.

Parker did not scream or cry. He stood up from where he was lying on the floor, trotted into the library and hid behind the bookcases. I’d not before heard of that reaction in a cat. It took me only a minute to coax the sturdy-boy out from his hiding spot, and he accepted my apology without hesitation. But I felt worse than if he had screamed in pain and indignity. Simply taking himself off to be alone was a harsh punishment for me.

But all is well, and we remain friends. He just asks that I watch my feet in the future. Stepping on tails twice in a decade is, I’m sure he believes, rather too much.

11 comments:

  1. Aww, Parker...At least you were good-natured about it!

    Frankly, with five cats around, I'm surprised that doesn't happen all the time!

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  2. Oh poor Parker! I'm sure he forgives you, John, and I'm also sure stepping on Parker's tail hurt you more than it did him.

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  3. It makes me feel bad when I am clumsy around any one of the cats. The other night in a darken hallway I accidently (gently) kicked Annabelle. It was very soft because I am slow, but I had no idea she was anywhere around. I still felt bad, but the only upside with her without a tail I will never step on her!

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  4. OH! I'll never forget Chuck's scream when I stepped on his tail when he was a kitten, and he's jumped up onto the chair I was standing on...a place where I wasn't expecting a kitty! Parker was a gentleman about it, but I'm glad that you've made up.

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  5. Aw, poor thing. I'm glad he was quick to forgive though!

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  6. He made quite the dignified exit! I've stepped on a few tails by accident with howls of outrage and even a swat but never like Parker's reaction. Glad he didn't take it personal.

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  7. dood.....we'll say, dad haz used hiz... step on de tail limit ....for life now.....yea, itz extreem caushun time for him for de next 70 pluz yeerz ~~~

    ☺☺♥♥

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  8. I run after them apologizing all the way and all the while I'm there and try to make it up, if they will let me. I hate hurting a precious little one who never expects his mom to hurt her or him. (I have had boy cats too).

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  9. Oh I feel so bad when that happens. I weigh so much more than little miss pops.

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  10. The sweet boy! Maybe he went off for a silent scream so he wouldn't upset you.

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