Published: July 14, 2008 11:07 pm            

Column: Cathie Shaffer: Trouble with a capital T

The kitten — now half-grown into a cattin — has learned to jump. And climb.

Since she’s an inside cat and we have a dearth of trees inside the house, Tabby makes her own substitutions.

She has decided nothing is better than jumping up on the sink, the source of wonderfully fresh water, or the stove, from which the most amazing smells emanate.

Tabby has also determined her tiny claws are exactly the right size to fit into the window screen, no matter how much I scold.

The dog considers it her duty to tattle every time Tabby ventures into the forbidden. My son says it is simply Maggie’s genetic disposition and she can’t help herself.

Actually, being a Sheltie, her genetic disposition is to herd sheep. However, with only a one-cat herd, she devotes her energies to keeping Tabby out of trouble.

All it takes is one “No!” from me to the cat, and Maggie goes on full alert. Like this:

I am in the living room, deep in a favorite TV show. A furious barking erupts from the kitchen, and then Maggie comes sliding across the hardwood floor to halt in front of me.

Eyes bright, she belts out her brisk “Help is needed” bark and dashes back to the danger zone to keep an eye on the situation.

I enter the kitchen to find Tabby poised on the long sink spout, balancing for a jump into the window. Maggie is bristling at counter’s edge, feet firmly planted against the cabinet.

I grab the cat, give her a firm “Tabby, no!” and the dog relaxes.

Back I go to the chair and television. A few minutes later, it starts again.

Tabby is sitting on top of the closed trash can. The next alert is Tabby attempting to imitate a flying squirrel and leap on the dining room table from a chair back.

I distinctly remember telling the kids, when I decided to get a kitten, that I thought it would be good for Maggie — give her a companion and keep her active.

I had no idea that would translate into an aerobic routine for me that includes Olympic-worthy jumps to save my precious knickknacks, long dives to keep the cat out of the hot oven and some fancy stepping when the tangling twosome come tumbling under my feet.

CATHIE SHAFFER can be reached at (606) 473-9851.

        

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