Win-Win

Even in the sea of leopard print, Figaro knows he is only allowed to sleep in that corner known as his bed.


One day about a month ago, I've decided to put my foot down and do something about the cat hair situation on my bed. While completely banning the cat from the bed is not an option, I knew instantly how to make Figaro confine himself to just one area and have the rest of the bed for people to enjoy. But no, it didn't involve treats or a good pat on the back. One thing about cats is that there's no such thing as "obeying" a human. If the humans grasp their logic, then all is well.

In this case, I knew that if I put anything on the bed - like my (newly-pressed) clothes or my backpack, or even my reading material - Figaro is likely to make a beeline for it and flop himself right down even when there's still a wide expanse of empty bedspace around him. I don't know, maybe it's a warmth thing. The more layers of stuff he has under him, the warmer and more snug he is or something. So brilliant me pulled out a couple of underused leopard-print throw pillow covers (yeah, it has to be themed), placed them at the corner of my bed and had Figaro try it. Everytime he puts as much as a claw or the end of his tail outside that area, I am quick to push it within his boundaries. He "learned" it in no time. He would once or twice extend a paw out of bounds or deliberately lie on the wrong side of the bed but I know too well that it's not because the "lesson" hasn't gotten through - because when that happens, it's always with that mocking look, as if to test if I'm really serious about this rule.

I'm happy I get to enjoy my fresh sheets longer now. But why do I feel deep inside that this is a false feeling of triumph - that I didn't outsmart the cat one bit? Maybe those extra cushions were what he wanted all along.

"A cat sees no good reason why it should obey another animal,
even if it does stand on two legs."
- Sarah Thompson

Up Next (and this will be quite a challenge): How Not To Step On Computer Keyboard When Need To Cross It.

Figaro finds the mouse appetizing.

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