Daytona is not what you would describe as an affectionate cat. Usually she would just prefer to be in the same room as you.... opposite ends of the room, granted, but the same room nonetheless.

However, she does now and then start to feel a little insecure and starved for love. She's very good about letting it be known that this mood has hit her. She gets this determined look in her eyes. Actually, forget the eyes - the entire body is set in this look! "I'm here, I want your attention, you better make room for me because I'm coming and nothing is going to stop me!"

Last year, this mood struck her frequently while my parents and I were visiting relatives in Missouri. We were staying with my grandmother, but I spent a lot of time at my aunt's farm. One day while I was gone, Daytona came into my grandma's living room looking for me. She looked at my grandma - "... don't know her..." She looked at my dad - "... and I don't like him..." Then she turned to my mom with THE LOOK! "You're it! I don't like it, but *she's* not here right now and you're the next best thing to her! I'm coming over there and you better put that book down and make room for me because I'm coming over there!"

And that's how I found her when I returned, head pressed against Mom's left hand and butt pressed against her right.

Anybody else have experiences like these?

Copyright © Karen Hooper
January 22, 2002