August-- Pawsitively Pets--
-- The Hunt for " The Perfect Spot "--
Jasper has been in a grumpy mood all week. Just not a happy boy, except possibly at breakfast time because who doesn’ t like warm chicken or turkey right after Mom makes coffee? But no place has been suitable for a long nap. Not the bed, where he likes to burrow under the covers and create a purring lump, not in the open window, not even in the well in the cat bed / toy at the top of the stairs which is HIS, alone.( No Hector there!) And all this unhappiness is expressed loudly through the house and shop. It’ s a little like Diogenes, who spent his time walking the streets of ancient Athens searching for an honest man.
But why? He is not showing me an answer, nor is Hector affected in the least by all of this. He is following his daily routines, the morning property patrol, the close inspection of the voles along the bank, a sip of water from the creek, and then to the porch or inside to sleep on the sofa. There does not appear to be an argument between them, and sometime in the morning there is a group ear wash, so that’ s not it.
I’ m not alone in seeing this behavior. Owners and people who run cat shelters know three main reasons for it. The most important is security. A cat that feels safe is a calm cat that can sleep soundly. Yes, they“ cat nap,” but they also need that deep sleep. My guys are safe in the house and shop, but many cats choose a space that is at least enclosed on two sides. It’ s the safety of“ the box.” Related to that safety issue is some elevation. Even Hector generally chooses to be up, whether it’ s a bed, a couch, or a chair. Window ledges are great. He will sprawl on the floor, but that happens when I am close by or he is with customers in the shop. Jasper will lie on the floor, but usually where his back is to a bookcase. Finally, they seek quiet, and their hearing is much better than ours. Places we think quiet are sometimes not quiet enough. In the summer, my fans are sometimes an okay space, and sometimes they are too noisy.
So, what did Jasper decide was the napping place? A new one- one that just opened up a couple of weeks ago. I’ ve run my summer sale, and did a drastic discount on my $ 1.00 books in the vestibule. That cleared out a few shelves, including one right next to the shop door. That means that our tuxedo boy can sit in the doorway when the shop is open, with his front paws outside and his hindquarters on the mat inside the door. And when he tires of that or the shop is not open, he can nap on the second shelf, about 14 inches from the floor and very secure. Enjoy, Jasper!
- by Linda Roller, Bookseller, writer, and owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis, PA.
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP
Linda Roller
Hours: Thursday & Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-3, or by appt.
“ Where yesterday’ s books are today’ s treasures.” www. thelibertybookshop. com
1 East Park Street, Avis • 570-753-5201
August-- Pawsitively Pets--
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