I think I have the answer to one of the questions of the ages.. well maybe not the ages but at least a decade or two. The question in question, so to speak, is how can a cat the size of a tiger, and a cat the size of one of my knights have even close to the same brain capacity? I mean, if you shrink the grey matter by a factor of on hundred or so, what gets left out? Considering my roommates and subjects, Sir Fred and Sir Giz for instance, it certainly is not intelligence or any of the cat senses. They have plenty of curiosity and seem to be well balanced emotionally... well at least as well balanced as your average tiger. So what gives?

After last night, I think I know. Judgement.

Take Sir Fred, the Grey Duke of Goober for instance. As I was going through the nightly ritual we all go through before bed, brushing teeth etc, I felt a weight on my shoulder. Considering the clowns I live with this is not an altogether unique experience, so I turned calmly to look into two greenish-yellow, slightly crossed eyes and said "You probably think you know what you're doing - right?". Unfortunate question as Sir Fred promptly proved he did by using my shoulder as a spring board to bounce to the top of the towel cabinet about nine feet above the floor. Cat Heaven. A tall perch no other cat can get to which looks down on everyone.

I didn't think much of it as people who live with cats know that they are pretty acrobatic. I proceeded with the remainder of my ritual, then went in to read before going to sleep.

After awhile I got the uneasy feeling that something was wrong. I got up and checked the doors and windows. Peered through the front screen to see if I could see anything, listened. Nothing. I laid back down. Something was definitely wrong! I got up again, walked into Goober, nothing there. Walked to the bathroom and flicked on the light.

Flicked on the light......................

Oops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A pair of owl eyes staring at me in a combination "where did you go/whew I thought I was going to have to get myself out of this" look. I hauled the noble knight down and accused him of not reminding me he was there. He was content to scamper off and review his duchy to make sure no usurpers had moved in during his durance vile.

See what I mean? Not enough judgment to distrust humans.

Copyright © Liz and Andy Pauley
September 27, 1999