My Siberians' Cat Guide to Training their Human
They have taught me to put things away
Before I had Siberian cats, I would put my car keys down wherever I happened to be. Sometimes on the counter, sometimes somewhere else. I could always find them, although I might have to look in several places first. It was never enough of a problem for me to change my ways.
When I put them down, I was usually thinking about whatever I had to do next. As far as I was concerned, I had simply left them somewhere until I needed them again. As far as the cats were concerned, I had provided something new to play with.
Apparently, a car fob left on the counter makes a wonderful toy. Give it a little push with a paw and it spins around quite nicely. I had never thought of trying that myself, but the cats discovered it without any help from me. When things got really enthusiastic, the fob would end up on the floor. Several months ago, I picked it up and found it was broken.
I can now attest that these things are expensive. It cost me several hundred dollars to get a replacement. That is quite a lot of money to spend learning that I should be more careful about where I leave my keys.
So now I have a nice new fob and the cats have the broken original, which remains one of their favourite toys. They seem quite pleased with the way things worked out.
They found something they liked, they kept it and I paid for a replacement.
I have also become much more careful about where I leave the new one. After years of putting my keys here and there, I now pay attention when I put them down.
If someone noticed, they might think I had become more organized. And I suppose I have. But I cannot really take the credit.
The cats taught me a rather expensive lesson, but apparently I needed it.
Anything shiny—and the pens and pencils
The same could be said for anything shiny. There was a time when I might have taken off a piece of jewellery and put it beside me on the desk while I carried on with whatever I was doing. I would never think of doing that now.
Anything shiny that I value has a place and must be put in it. Straight away. Putting it beside me “just for a minute” is no longer something I consider sensible. I may know that it is jewellery, but to a cat it is something interesting that deserves a closer look. Preferably with a paw.
So if my jewellery is safely put away, that is another habit for which the cats can take some credit.
Pens and pencils are a slightly different matter. I use them every day, so there is usually one on the desk. Unfortunately, they are also quite easy to roll towards the edge and onto the floor. Once again, something I have put down for my own convenience becomes entertainment for somebody else.
I have found that pens and pencils which spend time being tossed onto the floor tend not to last as long as those that remain on the desk. My solution is to buy in bulk. I would like to say that I have taught the cats to leave them alone, but buying extras has proved more successful.
It seems I have learned two lessons here. Put away anything valuable and keep a good supply of everything else.
They have taught me to clean up immediately
Then there are the floors.
Even with multiple cats, my floors are always very clean. No litter scattered about, no spilt water and no food lying around. This is one of the things visitors comment on, and I have always been rather pleased about it.
They probably do not notice is that I own more brooms and dustpans than any other household in my neighbourhood. There is a reason for that. Wherever a mess happens, I like to have a broom close enough to deal with it.
Over the years, I have learned that spills must be addressed immediately, especially if water is involved. A little dry food or litter on the floor is one thing. You can sweep it up quite easily. Add water to the mixture and you have a completely different job on your hands.
What could have been a quick sweep is now something that needs wiping up, and somehow it seems to spread while you are doing it. Then, of course, somebody may walk through it before you get there. Having four feet gives a cat plenty of opportunity to help distribute the mess.
So I no longer look at a spill and think, “I will get that in a few minutes.” I have learned what can happen during those few minutes. It is much easier to get up and deal with it straight away.
By the time visitors arrive, everything is clean and the cats are lying about peacefully.
Naturally, the cats get compliments for being so well behaved but I am the one who knows where to find all the brooms.
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