Sunday, June 23, 2019

Danger Zones

Cammie continues to learn about life as a blind cat, and I learn about her learning. She explores almost fearlessly now, her principal problem coming from meeting other cats. Since she can’t see that they retreat when they encounter her, the princess’s dudgeon remains high long after it needs to.


But she often treks out to the sitting room to sit on the couch, to lie on the carpetted ledge by the screen door to the ditch, or even, as I saw here, to play a little. She was gently wrestling with a ball in this picture, though she is obscuring the ball itself. She won’t play when I offer toys to her because she can’t see them, and feeling them thrust upon her is more an intrusion than an invitation. But on her own terms, she can still have a bit of fun.


One exploit had me worried, however. She found her way to the top of the tallest cat-tree. She undoubtedly knew where she was, from smell and the fact that there were so many levels. She also knew when she had reached the top. The difficulty then arose of getting down. Feeling one’s way sightless from a great height is a scary business, and it took Cammie twenty minutes to decide to descend just one level – after which she returned to the top. I was frightened that she would make a misstep and fall, and I could not stay to supervise her efforts for as long as she might want to make them. It could have been hours. So I reluctantly intervened.


The sounds and threats she made when I picked her up were unpleasant to hear, and she was not in a forgiving mood even when she reached the floor. I disliked doing this and on another occasion, when I could remain and watch her, I would not have done it. But neither she nor I are yet confident enough in her blind abilities to let her attempt such a descent.
 
Soon, though, she recovered, and was relaxing on the couch. She condescended to let the matter drop and we were friends again. I much prefer her scaling such heights as a comfy cushion on a chair.


Someday, probably soon, she will be able to do almost everything she could when her eyes worked, but not just yet. For now, her world has a few more danger zones than it once did.


16 comments:

  1. I'd have done the same, removed her from the top, if I had to leave and didn't have the time to make sure she was okay. Do you have room to add pet stairs in front of the tall tree? If so, that could be a good solution, once she figures it out. I think you're both doing remarkably well, with this adjustment. I would not be so calm!

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    1. I'm afraid the pet-stairs for the cat-tree would have to be six feet tall - and wouldn't ease my worry about Cammie missing a step. I worry about her falling from the bed, never mind something higher.

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  2. It’ must have been scary to watch, but how brave of Cammie to climb so high.

    John, do you remember my blog post about James Holman, the “Blind Traveler?” Cammie reminds me of that story.

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    1. I do recall your story on Holman. What an extraordinary individual; I wish his memoirs had not been lost to history. It's quite a compliment to the princess that she reminds you of Holman.

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  3. All in all Cammie is doing amazingly well though, keep it up sweet girl.

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  4. It is amazing how cats will overcome things, but I agree I would have intervened and ensured she was safely at a lower level. She's quite the intrepid cat!

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  5. Cammie was brave to go to such a height, but I agree that you did the right thing in helping her down. I have no doubt that given time, she will be going up and down without a problem. In the meantime however, as much as she dislikes it, she needs a helping hand.

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  6. I agree with you that Cammie will soon be able to do anything a sighted cat can do. I've known blind cats and dogs, and many times you don't even realize that they can't see. I wish there were some way to let Cammie know when another cat enters her territory. I went to the Best Friends website, and they recommended putting a bell on the collars of the other cats, (but I'm sure you've already thought of that.) :-)

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    1. Hearing four bells going all the time my other cats move, assuming I could get them to wear them, would drive me bats.

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    2. Made me smile. Sleep would be difficult to. :-)

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  7. I think your doing ALL the right things as far
    as Cammie is concerned John..even to the point
    if she's high up, and wants to get down, give
    her a hand..kiss and cuddles, then onto the
    couch, she'll be happy with that!
    So much so, you may find, when she needs help
    she'll ask for it..a little meow, from the top of
    the cat tree, saying.."Hey Dad..give us a hand"...
    She'll be fine..and a little time...Bless her!x

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  8. Cammie looks happy and we admire her bravery in exploring the house. We hope that she continues to be happy and settled. Miss Pops gets grumpy and growls if I pick her up too, so that could just be a madam thing.

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  9. John, I would have done the same thing; picked her up and deposited her on the ground! Looks like you are both on a learning curve; making sure she knows she's safe and loved is your primary job.

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  10. cammie; let dad help ya everee now N then; sum timez itz oh kay ta put a side yur pride; we haz all been ther in sum kinda circumstanze.....trooth....

    ♥♥♥ ewe will lurn; just takez a wee mor than a fast minit...ya noe ♥♥♥

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  11. She will learn and hopefully stay out of trouble till then.

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