Hours of Daylight – 12:12
I’ve been meaning to write about my cats for months now. We currently have two, Mora and Isa (like Lisa without the L). If you’ve read any of my Minnesota Blog you already know how they came to us so i’ll not rehash that story here. They’re tortoise-mutt cats. Isa is slightly larger and darker than Mora, who is lighter and much longer and skinny than Isa. Interestingly (or not) Isa isn’t really a tortoise, she has a small patch of snow white fur on her belly. According to the Minnesota vet we originally took them to this makes her a calico, but her markings are overwhelmingly tortoise. Their mother was a beatiful calico. Their personalities are also inline with "tortie" cats. They’re both feircely independent, unstoppably curious, can become extremely aggressive at the drop of a hat, are largely fearless, but they’re generally affectionate and friendly. They nap, but they’re both very active and have taken to living indoors and outdoors with great enthusiasm. They frequently sleep through the night with us like a dog would.
We brought both cats to the Rocky Ridge yurt, but only Isa to the Deadwood lookout. Like two human siblings they have their own likes and dislikes. Isa has come to love new places and will bound out of her carrier and proceed to investigate her new surroundings in ever widening circles. Mora hates new places and will find what she considers a safe spot (usually in some impossibly small nook or cranny) and not come out for at least 36 hours.
It’s Isa’s behavior i find so enjoyable. At the both the yurt and the lookout she followed the same routine, locating her food, water and litterbox first. Then beginning to explore the perimeter of the dwelling, first doing a cursory survey, then going back and exploring each part in greater detail. After about 30 minutes of exploring she would signal her readiness to go outside. One of us would open the door and she’d cautiously venture out. The first thing she’d do is verify her ability to get back in by scratching at the door. Once that was confirmed she’d begin the process of first surveying the perimeter in again ever-widening circles. After doing each new perimeter she’d come back to the door to verify that we’d open it for her. It was such a hoot to watch her as she encountered new things, cacti, stink bugs, wind, dried sage, you could almost see the neural pathways forming in her little walnut of a brain.
Once she had gained a certain confidence in her immediate surroundings she would become less "serious" and begin to exhibit more playful behavior. She’d run, and climb up rocks, and jump and explore more like a little kid would. I took this to mean she’d verified to her own satisfaction there was no danger, so it was ok to begin enjoying the new environment. About this point she would start following us when we went walking. She’d follow us to the outhouse, wait by the door, then follow us back to the lookout. She’d walk with me when i walked the perimeter road. Once she took a shortcut and was waiting for me as i rounded the lower bend and headed back up the hill.
What i found even more impressive is she would make little squeaks as she explored as if to say "here, i’m here," "now i’m here," "now i’m over here." Several times she’d venture far enough that we couldn’t see or hear her, but without fail we’d call her and after a few seconds we’d see her pop out of the woods and gallop to us. After several hours of this we’d just let her do her thing. Since there were virtually no bugs we left the lookout door open and she’d come and go as she liked.
Mora exhibits about the same behavior at home, but it takes her much longer to acclimate. I have no doubt had we stayed at the Rocky Ridge yurt a few more days she’d have calmed down and become curious.
Unfortunately as they age they’ve become less and less friendly toward each other. Nowadays they play a cat version of "tag." Basically whichever cat is "home" is safe and the other cat is to be defended against. Isa is a bit more defensive than Mora, but sometimes when Mora comes home from a "visit" before Isa and spots Isa coming on to the property Mora will growl and hiss and even swipe at Isa. Again they’re a lot like human sisters, they get along until they don’t.
Why am i writing this now? Well it might be that i’m thinking more and more about the bumper sticker "The more people i meet, the more i like my cat."