October 7th 2004 9:20 am
[ Leave A Comment ]

Have been contemplating problem of instinct vs. need to maintain feline dignity. Very important to display aura of quiet dignity and aloofness at all times so as not to encourage human parents or other animals to treat one with less respect than is due. This made difficult by rebellious nature of fur and tail that bush or fluff out when surprised or startled. Do not wish to have fur and tail fluff out to ten times normal size but cannot seem to control reaction. Particularly embarrassing in recent case of realtor going door to door while walking dog. Dog was approximately same size as self and most likely less fierce, nevertheless, tail and back fur fluffed out when dog walked by window, exposing self to much merriment from human parents. Phenomenon is particularly annoying as Tabitha does not share it but manages to remain smooth and unconcerned no matter the circumstance. Air of smugness exuding from Tabitha in these situations particularly maddening. Perhaps is result of old age and complacency thereof. In which case there is some advantage to growing old, though do not wish to acquire annoying habit of reminiscing about my catnip days, saying things like "when I was a kitten, we didn't have any of these new-fangled electronic furry mice -- we had to make them move by ourselves". Quite tiresome.