Monday, July 27, 2020

His Spirit of Adventure

Tucker evidently thought that if an old lady could do it, a baby-faced middle-aged mancat could do it.


My roly poly (who is, in fact, just a year younger than Josie), has decided that he, too, would like to journey beyond the apartment’s front door. This started last week, and, frankly, surprised me. Tucker has always been very timid of the world beyond the cosy apartment. Over the last year or two, however, he has become much more outgoing with visitors, when we have them; the fact that they are a rarity makes his friendliness toward them more surprising. He used to hide from guests. Now he stays to rub up against them and purr.


So it is that he has begun to think outside the apartment, as well. One day, he simply invited himself to go past the door while I was coming in. I am always wary of the cats doing this, even if I think they never will, so Tucker did not make it past the threshold. But on later occasions, I permitted him to explore, and he has, to a very limited extent.


He is much more ready to hurry back to the apartment than is Josie, and it takes only a mild, brief sound from me to make him turn and scurry away from wherever it is I don’t want him to be. Nonetheless, I keep a close eye on his ramblings and am always ready to grab him, if need be.


But he is content to sniff and look at this strange world, hearing noises from unexplained origins, and watching people - from a distance - whom he doesn’t know. It is a strange change of behaviour for a cat who still has little interest in what is beyond a window, barring the odd raucous magpie. I am hesitant to smother any curiosity, however, as what stimulates my beasts is always in low supply. If the smells of a well-trodden carpet and hints of what lie behind others’ doors intrigue one or two of them, I won’t stifle their spirit of adventure.



19 comments:

  1. catfather...dood.....what de dad doez knot noe willna hurt him hay ~~~~~

    Tucker has always been very timid of the world beyond the cosy apartment.

    pea ess.....de bass terd gobbler waz on de side oh de street on SUNday...knot dead, but livin large & in charge.....

    faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    ☺☺♥♥

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  2. It seems that Josie has been telling Tucker about her adventures in the hallway, and he has decided to check things out. Many years ago I had a neighbor who was a gourmet cook. One evening he was making something that smelled especially delicious. The next thing I know, one of my cats ran into the hallway and started scratching at his door. As I ran to get my cat, I heard the neighbor say to his wife, "I thought I heard someone at the door, but no one is there." I was too embarrassed to tell him that his visitor was my cat who obviously preferred his cooking to mine.

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    1. I feel the same way: everyone else's meals always smell more enticing than mine...

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  3. Well, Tucker's a very brave fellow! Derry is giving him a high-five, from one timid middle-aged (senior) mancat to another. :-)

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  4. That's interesting about Tucker becoming more outgoing. As long as he doesn't get *too* bold (and I don't think he will,) a bit of a ramble is a nice bit of excitement for him.

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  5. Tucker, what a brave boy you are! So glad you went out to explore and smell new things!

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  6. Tucker...I believe you have the makings of a House Steward or a Valet or Groom of the Chamber.

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  7. Sometimes it is good to have a change of scenery, and he wants to see where Josie has been going.

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  8. Tucker that was quite the trip you went on an I bet you came home and told the family of what a grand adventure it was.

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  9. A bit of a walk-about is good. I know my cats enjoy being outside, even briefly. Enjoy your trips to the hallways Tucker!

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  10. Exploration is a "hall" mark (hall, MOL!) of us indoor cats. There are few opportunities. Around here, TBT opens doors a crack to see who might be looking for a chance to run out. We dont usually do that, but sometimes, ya know?

    I (Laz) am desperate ta get out an explore.

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  11. I bet ya got to smell some interesting stuff Tucker!

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  12. Ah! Look! Bless him!
    All cats are curious, we know that,
    but, some more than others, though,
    l see he's very interested the bicycle,
    wonder what he'll get up to next..! :).

    We've had a cat diagnosed with Cornavirus
    here in the UK. it had symptoms of cough,
    runny nose, and breathing..they assume
    it caught the virus from it's owner, who
    tested positive for it..but..the good news
    is that the cat and the owner are o.k. now,
    both testing negative..!

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    1. I wonder if they are differentiating between the coronavirus that cats can have quite commonly and that which causes covid-19. In any case, I am glad both man and beast are doing better.

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    2. Or the initial test was wrong. I read the other day that a pathologist estimates that the tests give false positive results some 30% of the time. Other doctors believe it could be as high as 50%!

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  13. Brave handsome cat, Tucker. Always good to see that there is still
    curiosity in a kitty.

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  14. The clowder is always changing, which is why we all adore cats so much! Just when we think we know their every move, they surprise us.

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