Sunday, July 11, 2021

Thunder and Food

I like thunderstorms. I enjoy the sky growing dark, the flash of lightning and the fresh scent of rain. I don’t like it when a boisterous storm comes at the cats’ meal-times.

All the beasts in the Cosy Apartment pay attention to thunder. The time was, I recall, when such distractions ruined the boys’ dinners. They might hide; they definitely would not eat, and would not want to afterward. Now, it seems, things are different. The very loud bangs will cause consternation among the boys, but, for the most part, they don’t let the noise disturb them too much. They dine - perhaps in a way that resembles patrons of a restaurant who fear obnoxious individuals on the pavements outside will come inside – but they dine nonetheless.

This afternoon was the first time I observed Portia during a thunderstorm. Well, I didn’t observe her. She hid. I suspect she was behind a bookcase in a corner of the library. I called her when her food was ready – she learned the words “dinner” and “snack” even before she recognised her new name – but she did not appear.

Fortunately, when the storm’s fury had abated and a relatively gentle rain descended, my new foster-cat came out. She evidently felt that out of hearing was out of mind, for she cleaned her dish.

I am growing to know more and more about Po; how she behaves, what she likes, what she does not. I am beginning to understand when her hisses may be only acknowledged and when they must be heeded. Now, I know what she thinks of thunderstorms. They might be frightening enough to postpone a good repast, but not to cancel it.

And they always move on, making way for sunshine once more.


 

18 comments:

  1. Lately there have been quite a few thunderstorms in my area, but on the whole, my cats don't seem to mind them. I've even seen them sitting on the windowsill watching the storm. Perhaps they think it's a fireworks display put on for their entertainment.

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    1. Eight years ago, we had a terrible storm. I was living in a house then and my foster-cat, Bear-Bear (seven years gone now), seemed fascinated by the weather. You can see him at the window here: https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2013/06/thursdayjune-20th-stormier-than.html

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    2. Thank you so much for sending me the above link. I enjoyed seeing what Bear-Bear and your other cats looked like years ago. (Especially Tucker who was so cute hiding behind the cat tree!)

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  2. Pipo used to sit at the window and trying to catch the rain on the window...which only fell on it in high winds, such as with storms...My first kitty, jumped behind the china cabinet...and on his way out, he knocked off the mantle clock that was on the hutch...that was during a severe storm...and I was at work...and some home to a very spooked kitty and a smashed clock...the other kitty then, was a kitten, and he didn't seem to mind at all!

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  3. HaHa! When my George was still with me,
    and it thundered and lightening..it was
    a race who could get under the stairs first! :)
    Usually George..as he heard it before me! :).

    Just checked your link..goodness! That was a lot
    of rain..! :(.

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  4. I have never had a cat yet it can tolerate Thunder. Precious is no different and yes it turns her off her food too. Would love to noise stop and the food starts. It's been raining here like crazy it seems like since April 1st, and yesterday was no different

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  5. Portia must have some experience at least with that type of weather to make her able to come on out when you sound the all clear..meaning "Dinner"! Katie gets under the dining table at first. As things progress, she heads for UTB.

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  6. Eric was fascinated by thunderstorms and would watch them from the window. He also liked to watch the fireworks across the river on Guy Fawkes night. Flynn would join me hiding under the duvet.

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  7. Portia is learning about you, and you about her!
    Have always loved a good storm too, despite being on the northeastern edge of Tornado Alley.

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  8. Cats vary in their response to thunder as much as humans do. Poor Ernie is a timid soul scared by any loud noises. Whenever it thunders here, he retreats under a bed. Faux, on the other hand, is Mr. Imperturbable. The only thing that ever seems to rattle him is the fear that Ernie may be getting a bigger helping of food than he is.

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    1. Maybe Faux’s attitude toward loud noises and food both come from having been outside for so long.

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    2. I’m sure that’s it. When I first saw him, he was a scrawny mess terrified of everything. I think he figures that as long as he has an indoor home, and food, he’s safe from whatever’s going on in the outside world.

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  9. We all pretty much ignore the thunder storms unless the booms are really, really loud and shake the house.

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  10. portia we hope ta cod ewe due knot hafta listen ta fire werkz; we mizzed R dinner two timez last week cauz oh de bass terd noiz they make.... they bee like thunderz non stop for hourz sew we total lee understand wear ewe bee comin frum ~~~~~ ☺☺☺♥♥♥

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  11. We're having a thunderstorm as I'm typing this and both Truffle and Brulee are hiding. If I know there is a storm coming, I try not to feed them during that time.

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  12. Our family sticks with meals even with thunder but I have to say we have little of it. Lately we have had the rumbling kind and they hardly look up. Po is one interesting gal. We are thinking of adding a new cat and knowing how you do with Portia and in the past has helped us know that it will be fine if we do

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    1. That’ll be one lucky cat to be a part of your family.

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  13. I enjoy a good thunderstorm too, and the sunroom is often the best viewing spot. I can lay back in my recliner and watch the sky in three directions. Neither of the cats are disturbed by thunder; Sasha because he can't hear very well (I think but he can sure hear the pop a top of the FF can) and Saku...well, I'm not sure why it doesn't bother him.

    Glad Portia didn't let the storm bother her for long.

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