meow

(Seriously... When I posted six months ago, I had every intention of getting active again. I'd blog about movies and TV and politics and whatever else interested me. 

Then 2020 happened. Politics became... Unfathomable. Movies simply stopped happening. TV is still there, but after months of binge-watching, what is there to talk about?

So I'm reduced to blogging about my cat. And, oddly, pleased by that.)

Years ago, I saw a documentary on cats and their behavior. It sought to explain the nuances of cat behaviour and, for those that appreciate cats, was a pretty fascinating watch. (for those that don't get cats, nothing is going to change that, and the fascinations I'm recounting will surely be lost on you.) 

One of the things I learned from this documentary was that cats, when they meow, are talking to YOU. Cats do not meow at other cats. They hiss, yowl and posture. They do not meow. That interaction is limited to humans. When a cat meows at you, he is talking to you. 

The reason I find this so interesting today (aside from the excellent barrel-aged brew I'm currently enjoying) is  because of the conversations he seems to be having with me lately. 

Just to establish heirarchies, Prince (the cat) knows that he is Prince of the house. We have three dogs, but despite this, he knows it's his house and we all just inhabit it at his sufferance. 

So it should come as no surprise that, since he's recently decided that he must have cat treats at any time of the day or night, my sole purpose is to enable that treat supply. Emphasis for this discussion on night. 

Last night, he started at 4 am. First came the simple, declarative meow... "Are you awake?" "Can you hear me?". 

This quickly sequed to the demanding meow. Much more strident, this meow clearly says "hey, are you listening to me?!?" 

It being 4am, and me determined that "hell no, I'm not getting up," I decided to ignore strident kitty meow. 

Then came demanding. Full voiced and no hesitance, this meow said "hey, fucker, get the hell out of bed and get me my goddamn treats!" 

Fortunately, imperative kitty is short lived. A couple of these strident meows and, since I'm clearly ignoring him, he lapsed into pathetic, poor-pitiful-me mode. 

Suddenly his meows were sadder, more.. introspective? Meow...don't you love me? Meow... I'm so hungry... Meow... It's okay, I'll go away now. 

And suddenly it was quiet. 

Until 5am, when it all started again.