That Darn Cat!
By mapiklfish1
@mapiklfish1 (212)
United States
March 2, 2007 1:55pm CST
I'm about ready to kill the cat, or at least, give her away. She is actually a beautiful cat, medium haired calico. She's about 13 yrs. old. She, for some reason, has to hang by my desk. She used to lay on top of my monitor until I switched to an LCD. Then she went to the printer and lays there. She is constantly walking across my desk in front of me, over my keyboard, which is bad enough but now she constantly wants to lick my cup. I have frozen mugs for my pop and she wants to lick them. The other day, she decided she would knock the cup over while it's full of pop. All over me, the desk and the floor. I don't have carpet (this is why) so I was able to pull out my floormate and suck up the pop but my jeans got soaked and I had just washed them.
Today I had my cup sitting on my desk while I went to get some lunch. I just got everything fixed and was going to sit down and she did it again! Pop all over the desk and the floor. At least she didn't get me this time! So I had to put everything down and clean up the mess. In the process of getting stuff together to clean up after her, one of my ceramic wall scenes fell off the wall and broke into hundreds of pieces. It was my mother's I think so I am rather bummed about that also. I guess I can't have any frozen mugs out anymore. Yesterday she was going after my daughter's milk. I finally took her glass and poured it into a bottle with a lid just to keep the cat out!
Anybody want a cat????!!!!!!!
2 people like this
20 responses
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Yes, I have heard that milk isn't good for cats. There is no door to close where my desk is. I can't lock anybody out. I could lock her in a room by herself but I don't want to do that.
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Milk on the floor isn't an option. The dogs would get it. Closing the door isn't an option either because my desk is in the living room and there aren't any doors to close it off. Thanks for the suggestions, though. :-)
@cattitude (7)
• Canada
3 Mar 07
milk is actually bad for cats.;)
Sounds like your kitty wants attention, as has been stated in this discussion a few times.
Maybe try and give her some 'alone time' TLC away from the other kids/cats even for a few minutes every day?
Also, is there any way you can block her off from your work area while you're working? that might be another option.
:)
good luck!
1 person likes this
@jbrowsin66 (1321)
• United States
2 Mar 07
The last thing I need is another cat, but I have the desk problem solved! Put a small lamp on your desk and put a cushy towel or small soft blanket next to it. The cat will curl up on the blanket and bask in the heat of the lamp and fall asleep and not bother you. Sneaky aren't I? lol
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
2 Mar 07
That is actually a good idea and I have something like that set up. I have a lamp next to my desk for crafting. It's on a small table which won't hold a blanket, not enough room, but I have a stool next to my desk as well and it has a small "kittyghan" on it that I crocheted for Taffy. Taffy doesn't like it so I put it out for Patches and she does like it. She will lay there sometimes but as soon as she sees me come out wiht a cup or even a bottle of anything liquid, she has to be right there to lick it. I wouldn't mind the bottle so much but the frozen mugs are nice because they keep your drinks cold without diluting them.
That really isn't a bad idea, though. I'll have to try clearing off the little table and see if I can fit her blanket on there with a small lamp. I don't want to waste my craft light bulb as they are pretty expensive.
1 person likes this
@jbrowsin66 (1321)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Hope the craft light will be warm enough. Mine is a lamp that holds two 60 watt bulbs. Cat magnets, lol
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
I think that would be better anyway. I don't want to use up my craft light for a cat magnet, though. They're too expensive. I've started clearing the table and may work on that tomorrow. She's on the couch right now in front of my desk. Magnum, our black Lab is on the couch in front of the fire. Everybody is copzy except for hubby who had to go out in the snow to take our son to work.
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
3 Mar 07
I have a laptop computer that I have on a breakfast in bed tray and also it is on a notebook cooler which is a little fan. My cat likes to sit on my lap and put her chin on the edge of the computer and let the fan blow under her chin. She will occasionally readjust and look up at me for a nose kiss. If it has been too long since I have reached down and petted her, she will nip my wrist to remind me she is still there.
Just figure out what will make her happy and she will behave like a perfect little lady.
@5000ml (1923)
• Belgium
3 Mar 07
Cats can be incredibly stubborn, but to me it also does sound like she wants some attention :) Next time she walks over your keyboard, pick her up and set her down on your lap and give her a cuddle this way. If you don't always feel like that a water spray can work wonders! Just give her a little squirt (try to avoid the eyes) and watch her run away. I think she should start to understand that you really don't want her hanging around there.
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Being that I'm around the electronics, and she likes to lay on my printer, I have been using my hair dryer. It's almost as effective. She doesn't like it.
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
3 Mar 07
what is it about computers thet attracts cats?mine never wants anything to do with me untill I get on here then he just has to jump up on the desk right in front of the screen I somehow feel they have to feel they are the center of attention asnd cant stand for us to be interested in anything else!I have taken to working in my office with the door closed you might consider that !Good luck!
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Yes, I sometimes think it is because they want to be the center of attention too. I can't close the door where my desk is.
@chamasmile (27)
• Japan
2 Mar 07
i agree..a little attention and the cats all chilled...mine on the other hand gave me one prob..aprt from being well trained at where to do its dumping bussiness...one day it decided to sleep on my bed while i was in the living room..when i went to my room i was shocked to find it had pooped on my bed cover! of all places! i was so upset lol..anyways somehow i wouldnt blame it coz its half wild and my bed cover was brown and had un ugly colour
despite tht i wouldnt give my cat away ,i luv cats :)
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Ours have all done that too only usually they'll do the other and pee on stuff. That's much worse because it's so hard to get that smell out. My son doesn't like the cats and doesn't allow them in his room. They all know it too. If he catches them and yells at them, they go a running!
@vehaileairu (2286)
• Philippines
3 Mar 07
im sorry, i got nothing to contribute..
but... your story makes me laugh to tears... i cant stop, its a foolish cat ey?
mine is worst, but i gave it to my mom where he's adopted, ^_^ terrible cats these days.. errr...!! anybody want a cat! no... no... not anymore, im starting to get phobias,
so hard for you to clean up.. poor you...^_^
take care...^_^
@Jshean20 (14349)
• Canada
3 Mar 07
Awww, she sounds like a typical kitty. I think more than anything else, cats just want to be around those who love them and she probably doesn't really realize she's annoying you. My cats like walking on the keyboard and swiping their tails across my nose. I think more than anything else they are just looking for our attention and going to extreme distances to get it.
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
I think part of the reason she may stay by my desk is also that I protect her from the other cats. The other 2 cats are younger and want to go after her. She has never liked other critters coming into "HER" house. When the other cats start to come after her, I chase them off.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
3 Mar 07
well, i think your cat is just trying to look for your attention... if you will just devote a little bit of your time to pamper her and show her that you care about her, i think she will stop doing all those things that annoys you... hopefully... good luck...
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Everyone else seem to agree with you. Thanks for your comment.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Your cat is a cat, not a person with human reasoning. She is looking for attention or more love. Or, perhaps, she just enjoys doing what she does. They all have different personalities. I have two cats. One is so mischievous. Into everything, knocking over everything, tearing paper, stealing food from my plate. The other wants to be left alone and sleeps. To me, they are members of the house, my furry kids. If they were children, I would not get rid of them, so because they don't conform, why should I get rid of them. If they were mean, and hurting members, that would be another story. And, to remove a cat from it's environment is tramatic. If you cannot accept it, and work around it, then give it to a loving family.
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
I was kidding about getting rid of her, especially at her age. It would be nice, though, if she would stop knocking over my cup.
@phon4u (2215)
• Laos
3 Mar 07
A cat is a gentle and quiet animal. When it die, you will remember of it for a long period.
I don’t have any cat at home, but I like them. I used to own the cats; they could teach me a very good lesson in the previous time. If people practice martial art like a cat by pushing up daily with an enough stone to the heavy one on their back each time twice a day, they don’t have any problem when they fall down from the higher building. As you know the cat which has nine lives can stay alive after falling down from the high building.
My dad really doesn’t like them to get near his feet when he sits to write at the desk or eating meal at the table. He is afraid of their fur. He hated the tiny kitten getting into the house those days, so he closed the inside door during the lunch time. I can’t own them at my house, because I have had three dogs, I think they don’t get along with each other very well. But one of my dogs, named Doyaabi, has two duties, the first duty is a house and property guardian, the second duty is catching the mouse passing by. All mice are scared of my dog. It is unhappy to see the cousins’ cats getting into my house through the square wall. Please don’t kill the cat.
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Don't worry, I won't really kill the cat. I was joking about that. I can't even kill the raccoons that come into the barn and tear things up. Most people shoot them because they are pests but I can't.
@bkfuels (1603)
• Canada
3 Mar 07
I have this problem when I am on the computer . I have 7 cats so one of them is always around. I have one that loves to chase the mouse. One that sits on top of the computer with her tail over the screen so I usually have a lot of fun when I am on here.
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
That's a lot of kitties! I wouldn't mind her passing through so much if she wouldn't SPILL MY DRINK!!! This is a fairly new thing for her. The other cats will go around spilling glasses of water if left out and then drink the water. You know, you'd think I don't give them water to drink but I do. There is a big ice cream bucket full of water for everbody. It's the critter watering hole and it's in the kitchen where everybody can get to it but, the cats must think they are too good to drink from the dog bucket. They always want their water running from the faucet or from a spilled people cup.
Your kitty is really pretty.
@knightfeith (213)
• Philippines
3 Mar 07
I DO! I Do! i want a cat!.. How bout you give me your cat.. heheheh.. i love cats, and i would really like it if you give me your cat, since you want to kill her anyway... heheh.. or maybe not.. but you know what, i think your cat just needs some attention, you know she is a bit old and you know old people.. hehe (joke..) i think you should try to give your cat some time.. maybe she''s jealous of the computer or something...
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
She is getting old so that could be part of the problem also. We have a Pommeranian who is turning 16 soon. He does some pretty strange things these days also.
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
2 Mar 07
My cat has this annoying habit of jumping up onto my desk and sitting on the mouse when she wants attention.
If I don't fuss her she will not move, I can remove her from the mouse pad, but as soon as I move my hand away like when I'm typing, she jumps up again. VERY annoying at times lol, especially when I'm trying to work.
She also likes trying to climb the curtains in the living room, then meows like crazy when she gets stuck and I have to go rescue her. Thankfully, she seems to be settling down a little bit more these days as far as my curtains are concerned. Now I wish she's just stop jumping up onto my mouse pad when I'm online lol.
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Yes, they can be very annoying when you're trying to work and they insist on getting in the way. I would definately use a water bottle and squirt her for climbing the curtains. You can get them from across the room if you have a good bottle. :-)
@TamiL531 (7)
• United States
3 Mar 07
My cat likes to sleep on my monitor as well. But mostly he is trying to get attention from me. He follows me from room to room and even tells me when it is time for bed by meowing constanting. A little agrivating I know but you have think about it this way, you cat loves you and wants to be close to you. with regards to the spilling your drink, negative attention is better than no attention, I guess. good luck!
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
3 Mar 07
True enough. Just like kids. I went back to my frozen mug but I did remember to take it with me to the other room when I left my desk.
@valerieanne (811)
• United States
3 Mar 07
My male calico does the same thing, he's about 14 now. Actually he's more like my shadow, since he follows me EVERYWHERE. I generally pet him/play with him for a couple mins then he'll lay down and go to sleep until I get up again.
1 person likes this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
2 Mar 07
1) Give her lots of TLC.
2) Get her checked out by the local vetas soon as possible. When one of my cats suddenly started wanting lots of attention and getting into everything; it was because he was developing cancer. He knew way before we did that something was wrong with him and he wanted to be with us all the time.
Cats know when something is wrong but their instinct is to hide the problem and not show any weakness. By the time he had other signs that could no longer be hidden, the cancer was too advanced and we lost him 3 years ago.
@jamkeeper (14)
• China
3 Mar 07
how lovely the cat is!to be frank,i always want to have a carpet,such as cat ,little dog,but,and i am afraid it would bother me ,so ,i decide just appreciate,
@silvermoonmyst (943)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Sounds like she need some good one on one attention with someone. She probably liked to sleep on the monitors and printer because its nice and warm and she gets to be with you. Its her way to getting any kind of attention. I know though, my cat stalks me constantly. Ive gotten used to it, and just give her some love with a free hand and shes happy to sit near me and purr.
1 person likes this
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
2 Mar 07
I'm sure the warmth of the monitors attracts them. It was pretty funny when I switched, though. She went to jump up there and half of it was gone. She was half in front of it and half in back of it. Then she came around and looked at the front, like she was saying, yup, that's the right thing, why can't I get up there? Then she'd try again. She finally gave up and went to the printer. When we used to lay on the monitor she would always have her tail hanging down in the middle of the screen.
Snowy isn't as much of a people cat so he doesn't bother me much at all. He likes to sleep in boxes. He's the mischievious one, though. My dining room cupboards are almost always open because he's been in there getting into trouble. He also likes to knock anything left by the bathroom sink off the sink and onto the floor, including cups of water.
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
2 Mar 07
You say this cat is 13 years old. How long have you owned her. We had 2 cats, sisters, for 16 years before they left us, natural causes. She seems to be expressing the need to be near you. Is she getting enough attention?
How old is the baby? If your cat was your baby and now she has competition this behavior may be her way of getting more attention from you. Get a water bottle and fill it with water. Everytime she climbs onto your desk squirt her with it. It won't be long and she'll stay on the floor. I have a cat that goes after milk glasses all of the time too.
It's a hassle, but would you really give up your cat?
@swietekfam (363)
• United States
2 Mar 07
hi, it sounds like your cat just needs some tlc. Usually cats will meander in front of you to get your attention. My cats do this to but, i take the time ti pet them and love them and they usually stop. Seems like your live in front of your computer, you do everything there in short of going to the bathroom and showering. Cats just like kids, will do things they know they are not supposed to just to get your attention. Just try and spend a little more time and show some affection, that should do the trick.
@mapiklfish1 (212)
• United States
2 Mar 07
You're probably right, although I don't know what's with the dumping my cup lately. I can understand the walking in front of me thing.
Yes I do spend a lot of time at my desk. I do my crafting there as well as computer work. I have several websites and blogs that I am trying to get going, my patterns and recipes are all on the computer and I often have to type up song lyrics for our worship team for church. The computer is in the living room so I can watch TV from my desk as well and I can even see the fireplace from here. We tend to hang out in the living room because it's warmer than the dining room and our house isn't very big so there really aren't too many other places to hang out.
