My name is Freeda Katlo, and it is true that I was named after an artist. This is only because my Keeper is an artist and she admires the human I was named after. I completely deserve and justly own this title of artist with one slight deviation. I am an artist of the con. A cat con artist.
noun – Someone who cheats or tricks others by persuading them to believe something that is not true.
adjective – (Of an animal) feeding on other animals.
noun – Guardian of felines with paws especially adapted for opening cans, bags, and other containers of meat (a.k.a. wet food).
Some of you Keepers out there are deluded into pretending that we are sweet little harmless vegetarians or something. Especially, you tofu-loving humans… I know, I live with one. I hate to break it to you, but these sharp teeth aren’t just for good looks.
Keeper #1 enters the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. Cat pops head into opening immediately.
Note to cats: I have learned from past experience that eye contact is essential to reduce the risk of having the door closed on your head.
Keeper realizes that it is “time” for the wet food and delivers a spoonful to the bowl. Bravo! Food is promptly devoured in approximately 2.3 seconds. That is the easy one.
A few minutes later, Keeper #2 enters the kitchen.
Note to cats: This maneuver has greater success when Keeper #1 is effectively distracted. (Tip for distraction: knock down a favorite object from a shelf, you know the right one).
While Keeper #1 is preoccupied and Keeper #2 is still in the kitchen, rub on Keeper #2’s leg and give him a soulful and pitiful look. Repeat refrigerator door maneuver if provided the opportunity. Keep vocals to a minimum volume. If Keeper #2 starts asking questions of Keeper #1 you may have a problem. The key is to appear desperate and hungry, but in a casual way, as if all is normal and it’s just “that time.” If all goes well, Keeper #2 plops a second heaping spoonful of wet food into the bowl without asking questions. Devour upon impact.
Note to cats: You have a 50/50 chance here that all will go as planned. Be prepared to abort and try again later over the possibility of Keeper #2 communicating with Keeper #1. That is the kiss of death, my friends.
Keeper’s child enters the kitchen. Give child the large-eye look, similar to the one from “Puss in Boots” DreamWorks Animated Movie. The child knows this signal well. It is 100% irresistible. Again, you are sure to succeed as long as there is no communication with Keeper #1.
Exhibit B: The look of profound disappointment.
My answer is this: Oh, humans, you have so much to learn about the many clever ways of the cat. Please understand the art of the con is about adaptation, flexibility, and the element of surprise. If you believe you are being conned, beat them to it and simply deliver more wet food. If you feel shame for forcing your dear furry companion into a lifestyle of swindling and manipulation in order to communicate basic needs, show some compassion, deliver more wet food. Tired of finding a half eaten lizard in your shoe? It’s definitely time to supply more wet food. If you believe you are impervious to being conned, (purrrrr) think again… think – a – gain.
This entry was posted in Advice & Tips, Guest Cats and tagged cat, cats, cute, funny, katze, katzen, katzenworld, kawaii, ねこ, 猫.
Dear Freeda, I have another maneuver: Sit in the middle of the living room floor and cry incessantly, with the pitiful eyes of course, while the human eats dinner. Make them feel ashamed for not including you. Sometimes I get chicken on a plate. Love, Gibbs the cat.
Making my Keepers feel shame is a specialty of mine. Excellent idea, Gibbs, I will try this maneuver promptly. It’s good to have friends like you.
Absolutely no one. You are correct. Slurp.
There is a ceremony at our house in the morning! Our cat Abby cruises by the bowl to see if anyone has filled her canned food dish! During this ritual we wait because it is dad who needs to get up and take care of it! If he does not take care of it we use mom as our bully to make it happen sooner rather than later!