I am always concerned about my cats' diet, so I frequently buy different brands. Amber loves Dr. Ballard but hates Pro Plan. He also hates Nutro but loves 9-Lives, at least of the variety I tried recently.

When I serve something he doesn't like, he looks at it with a "Where's the beef?" expression and walks away. After awhile he will try to get me to give him something else by being all lovey-dovey and charming. I just take him back to his dish, reasoning that he will eat it if he gets hungry enough. No go. He just runs to the bedroom.

Then I hear either a growling or squealing as he takes his pique out on the unlucky occupant. Today it was Djoser. He let out a strangled squeal and then I heard thudding on the floor as he came running to the kitchen with Amber hot on his heels.

Djoser turned the corner by the wood stove as he headed for the living room--and came nose to nose with Shasta! My, I didn't know a cat could stop so suddenly on a slick linoleum floor!

He immediately backed up sideways so his body was under the kitchen stool with his head swiveling from side to side. His eyes were wide and ears alert as he looked back and forth at Amber and Shasta. His back is to the wall and he will go down fighting for his life!

Amber loses interest in Djoser as he greets his buddy, Shasta. So Djoser slowly and carefully sneaks out from under the stool and hides under my chair. Discretion is the better part of valor. Live to fight another day.

Shasta is a Heeler and the cats long ago learned that running triggers her chase instincts. Also squealing and growling. Djoser squeals and Sheba growls. Amber is silent. Maybe that is why Shasta thinks Amber is a dog in disguise.

Copyright © Catherine Jo Sadler
October 8, 2000