“These humans. Humph!” Jasmine said abruptly as she turned her back toward them and pranced down the hallway. “They just don’t understand.”
“What’s going on?” Ling asked, watching her enter the bedroom.
Jasmine stopped to groom her paws. With a muffled voice she responded to her partner. “It’s the humans. They still don’t” – –
“I already know what you are going to say,” he interrupted her. “They still don’t understand us cats.”
“Well, they don’t!” Jasmine looked at him with her bright blue eyes. “They’re in the living room yammering on again about the area around our litter box. I’m not stupid. And I’m not a little kitten anymore. Why do they have to keep talking about it? I’ve already made my position very clear.” She poised herself, head held high as she waited for her partner to agree.
Ling was larger than Jasmine, and older. His jet-black fur and sharp eyes displayed a natural confidence, even when he was resting. Having come from the streets, he’d learned to be grateful. Living outdoors the first year of life had been tough on him. But here, it was always warm and safe with plenty of food and water. He began licking his own paws thinking about the humans.
Jasmine just stood watching him, expecting his confirmation to how she was feeling. But he just silently waited, his piercing eyes locking on hers. He knew she had more to say.
“I know what you’re thinking. I should be grateful they rescued me.” She went back to grooming herself, talking while she worked on her beautiful fur coat. “I mean, I really am grateful. I go right up to the humans and let them pet me. Do they understand what a privilege that is? I let THEM pet ME. I have extended those permissions many times. That is one example. I have more…”
Ling sighed heavily. Quiet enough that she could not hear him, he said, “Here we go…”
“Also, they don’t always respect me. In fact, just last week I walked into the room and both of them flat ignored me. Ignored me! So, I did what any reasonable feline would do. I jumped up on the table and started knocking things over.”
Ling shook his head as she continued her cat rant.
Looking indignant, Jasmine continued. “And you know what happened?”
“I really don’t.” Ling yawned and tried to seem interested.
“The female human came over, shooing me off the table and started picking things up. I mean, I never!”
“Um-hum,” Ling said. His thoughts returned to the day she’d come here, showing up on the porch in freezing weather. She was still a kitten, too young to be separated from her mom. The humans brought her in. She was shivering cold and her tiny body was riddled with fleas which had no doubt expired due to the cold. She was hungry and thirsty.
As Jasmine got older, Ling witnessed the humans talking about how she didn’t behave like other cats. They would discuss how, maybe, Jasmine had suffered some cognitive damage as a result of her harsh beginnings. Or perhaps she was just one of those cats that truly WAS royalty – at least in her own little feline mind. Either way, they referred to her as Princess Jasmine. Jasmine approved. After all, according to her, all humans should know that her species was of the highest order. For many reasons, Jasmine required patience, especially during these ranting episodes.
Jasmine let out another “Humph!” Shaking her head, she recalled what she described as the brutal account of being ignored. “After the human put everything back, she finally told me to get back in the bedroom and stop making messes.” Can you imagine? The nerve of these humans. They are lucky I didn’t pee all the way down the hallway!”
Ling’s eyes were getting heavy. He wanted to get on with his nap but remembered he had a less capable partner who required more attention than most.
“I get it,” Ling finally said. “About the upset this morning, how about we try not marking around the litter box? Just for awhile. See how it goes.”
Looking very self-assured, she glanced back at Ling. “I mark around that litter box so they know who that area belongs to. And frankly, I could use a little help from you. Furthermore, you know full well that I use the litter box for my regular business. As usual, the humans are misunderstanding the situation.”
Ling shook his head in agreement, then gently responded. “In my opinion, it’s not necessary for us to do any marking here.”
Jasmine looked right at him. “If I don’t mark, how will they know what is ours and what is theirs? Let’s face it. Their species is not the brightest.”
“Alright,” Ling interrupted, using a firmer tone. “I get it. We have it pretty good with these humans, is all I’m saying. Obviously, they are an inferior species. But we can follow a few of their rules, even if they don’t make sense.” He yawned as he curled up on the bed.
Jasmine rolled her eyes, climbed up the scratching post beside the bed and laid down.
“I mean, humans mark their own territories. They have fences and doors and all kinds of things to make sure everyone knows which areas belong to them. It is ridiculous that they expect any less of us.” She yawned big as the point she was making trailed off into silence.
Ling glanced over at her and smiled as she drifted off to sleep, knowing there would be more conversations like this in the future. That was just part of life with Jasmine and that was okay with him.
Oh the cats, and the bunnies, and the dogs. Would that we could hear their thoughts, but the behaviors kind of say it all, don’t they? I have often thought of you, Jana, as the “Bunny Whisperer!” I am happy to see this new website go up. Looking forward to many more articles and “conversations” from pets.
Animals are real characters, for sure! Thank you so much and have a pawsome day!
Thank you so much, G.M. I appreciate it!
Thank you so much!