Monday, November 25, 2013

Whap and Nap

Every time I think the kitties are getting along better, they start fighting. Every time I think they're in fighty modes, they wind up near each other. Honestly, I think I'm going to give up trying to decide if they are tolerating each other, becoming slight friends, or still in hate mode.

Whenever I think I've got them figured out, they do something totally outside of what I think. Either they are trying to make me think I'm crazy, or they are crazy themselves. All I know is that one of us is probably bonkers...

This week was a perfect example of what I'm talking about. You saw the picture on Wordless Wednesday, right? They were curled up quite close. What had happened is that Leo sat on that bench and Star has, recently, claimed the couch and materials on it as her very own. When she saw Leo near her spot, she walked a wide berth around him and jumped up behind.

He knew she was there, and probably thought she was going to smack him. She kept giving him dirty looks, but he stayed. I think he thought that if he ran, she'd chase him. Which is usually true.. but all she really wanted was her spot. So it was peaceful.

They did exchange a lot of smacky paws this weekend. She was so intent after him at one point that nothing deterred her, except for the fact that he retreated to the top seat on the tall cat tree and she, to this day, has never gone up that high. I think she was going to attempt it though.. so I got after her.

Leo did some romping around the room, quick bap, dive under the bench, moves. We know this is playful because he basically pokes her in the butt, no claws, no real smack, just a quick poke, like he wants to play.

He also waited until she was whisker deep into her favorite treat and, ignoring his own treat, spent what felt like almost half a minute sniffing her tail and back (no, not her bum, she eats tail down) until she got fed up and took a mouthful of her snack to the carpet to eat in peace.. thanks Leo.

Star tried playing some whack-a-mole when Leo was under his bench. She rarely goes under after him, but sits on top and reaches down to smack, or sits at the side and reaches under the blanket on it. Some of that was playful this weekend, some was decidedly not playful.

Early Sunday there were a lot of not playful whaps. I was frustrated enough to toss empty tissue boxes between them to make them leave each other alone. All that got me was some stink-eye from Star.

That's why I was so surprised when this happened Sunday evening:

 
 
Almost the exact opposite of what happened Wordless Wednesday. Leo considers the bed his for the most part, for napping and playing and diving onto his cat tree. I had moved the bench over near the bed to set up a little crafting station as I tried to work on something that didn't work out. Star decided that she HAD to sleep on the bed.

Leo took umbrage but what are ya gonna do, she was there first. I figured he found somewhere else to nap, until I turned around and saw him right behind me on the bed with her. I don't know if he figured being closer to me would protect him or if he just flat out wanted his bed and wasn't going to be intimidated, but he chose to get up there when she was already there. It was a day of whaps and naps.

I'm hoping for more naps, less whaps!

19 comments:

Sparkle said...

Binga beats up on Boodie almost daily! Sometimes she does not seem happy until she makes her scream! But later that day, they can be found napping together. You humans will never be able to figure out us kitties.

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Yep. It's in order to keep you on our toes, you know!

The Paw Relations said...

It's pretty much like that here too.

Unknown said...

Your house sounds like our. When I think everything is going well, KaBoom! A cat explosion. Than I'll turn around and everyone is napping peacefully near one another. It reminds me of my brothers when we were children.

The Island Cats said...

That's one thing about us cats...we always keep the humans guessing!

Dma said...

maybe you should get a third kitty. thompson often plays the part of peacemaker in our house.

Cats Herd You said...

Little by little, the two of them are making progress. Think of how far they've come so far!

John Bellen said...

The longer I know cats, the more I know about them. And the longer I know cats, the less I know about them...

Brian's Home Blog said...

MOL! They just don't want you to figure them out!

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Our kitties do the same thing for no reason it seems.

Marg said...

WE think that Sparkle is exactly right. There just isn't any figuring out these cats. Mine all do the same thing. Take care.

Life with Ragdolls said...

Star is so beautiful!

Leo is so handsome!

Unknown said...

Do they need a reason to do the things they do? I certainly don't think so!!!

CATachresis said...

That's kitties for you!!!

RedSetter said...

We do clawless whapping, poking (Red) and growling worthy of a rottweiller (Magic). There is some unknown logic or behaviour code there us owners will never figure out. And, yes you are probably the one losing their mind as the cats seem to have it figured out. I don't know why they say pet owners live longer as cats drive them bonkers.

Gigi said...

Nap, whap, tap, bap, flap and cr@p! Ha ha ha! That all sounds like a ton of fun to me ;-) Keep the Human guessing, kids, you're doing good! Yes, even you Leo. Star, you look very beauteous there on the bed. XOXOXO

Furries said...

My Smokey and Ed were never best buddies but they tolerated each other pretty well. Smokey was the queen of the house and would often swat Ed just to remind him she was top kitty. Nothing too serious though. Hopefully Leo and Star will come to a permanent truce.

Clooney said...

Us kitties always keep you guessing! Hi Leo and Star! Hope there is less whaps and more naps too!

Kitties Blue said...

We bet you will need to keep wishing. As our mommy likes to say, "Cats are predictably unpredictable," and it seems as if Star and Leo live up to that. You just need to be thankful for the times when they get along. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo