Harri Roadcat can play as energetically as any of the other kitties, but it seems she wants to maintain her dignity and hold on to her "Tough Girl Kitty" image. After all, a Trucking Kitty wouldn't be seen flinging a fluffy mouse all over the house.

I stopped at a local pet store yesterday for some cat food and Feliway diffuser refills. While I was there I picked up another tub of catnip and a package of mouse toys. When I got home I got some of the mouse toys and noticed that they squeak if you squeeze them hard enough. Ranger really got in to the mouse toys, and I tossed one over to Harri. She batted it around a bit, but just sort of half-heartedly.

Since I had just gotten home I headed into the bedroom to unload my cell phone, pager, wallet, and all the other crap I have to carry with me. While I was so occupied, I heard rapid-fire squeaks coming from the living room. Ok, Ranger must be really enjoying his mouse toy. Nope, Ranger is right here attacking my feet. Let's sneak quietly down the hallway and see who is playing. There's Harri Roadcat, rolled over on her back with a mouse toy between her paws, squeezing and swatting and biting away. She was enjoying herself with the kind of abandon that kittens should always enjoy.

But as soon as she saw me watching, she rolled over and resumed half-heartedly swatting at the toy. She likes to play with it, but she doesn't want to be seen doing so.

What a silly girl!

Copyright © Dan Mahoney
May 3, 2005