Tye is my dignified, reserved, very gentlemanly cat. Except, lately, at mealtimes. As I marshall the herd and start dishing out dinner, Tye, who eats his meals in my office, sits in the hallway just outside the office door hollering at me. Actually, most of them holler, but with Archy and Mehitabel it's this pathetic "oh-my-heavens-if-I-don't-get-my-food-right-this-minute-I'm-going-to-DIEeeee eee-of-starVAaaaaation" kind of whining.

Tye, on the other hand, gives me a good round scolding for being so slow in serving him. As I am getting his dinner ready, our "discussion" goes like this:

Me: Tye, when would you like me to serve your dinner?

Tye: (loudly) Now!

Me: Are you sure you wouldn't like to wait a bit?

Tye: (even louder) Now!!!

Me: Because you know I'd be happy to feed you later on if you'd like.

Tye: (very, very loudly) NOW!!!!!

And so it goes until his dinner is set in front of him, at which time the scolding stops and the purrbox revs up. I have to admit, I just love it when Tye yells at me.

Copyright © Beth Harvey
November 17, 2001