Bob's Corner
From our weekly issue dated December 23, 2009
It’s always fun, in an odd way, to decorate for Christmas — the holiday “holy days,” the Yule holidaze even. (But beware of the Hollandaise.) Yes, decorating is plenty of fun: except perhaps when you have four cats.
Yes, four cats; not as many as some folks; more than many others — especially those who have no felines. Cats love to help decorate. That’s “help,” as in, “not really!”
They enjoy batting at dangling Christmas tree ornaments. They enjoy seeing such ornaments fall to the floor. They enjoy the tinkling noise as said ornaments shatter and spread colorful fragments here and there.
While you are unpacking your decorations, cats like to jump in the bags and boxes, and root around. And cats do not follow instructions such as, “Stop that, you beast!” Any humans who try to order a feline about find that despite the animal’s superb hearing, they cannot hear orders.
But speaking of decorations, we had one cat years ago who managed to swallow some tinsel. Actually, the tinsel ended up coming out of both ends. A most-interesting situation. Cats also like to scare their humans by chewing on electric cords.
Our fur snakes, especially the tuxedo guy, Jellirabbit, get a kick out of climbing the Christmas tree. And cats are not like dogs in that, first of all, a dog wouldn’t try to climb your Christmas tree. Except maybe if there was a cat up there taunting it. Anyway, Jelli claws his way up the tree close to the trunk; then perches like a predator, daring anyone to reach in to remove him.
Meanwhile (while he’s climbing), the tree ornaments dance about, and some lose their grip. They fall, and he enjoys that. Actually, all four cats like to see items falling. They’ll go out of their way to push stuff off tables; then crouch and watch intently as said items tumble to the floor.
Having cats means that you must learn to be peaceful because felines go a little berserk if they’re shouted at. So a calm approach (as in Silent Night) is called for. And you can find joy (as in Joy to the World) in that situation.
Being calm and joyful are especially needed when curious cats decide to stop the model train circling the Christmas tree; investigate the flame on your candles; or try to rearrange your Nativity scene.
No matter whether you have cats or not: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. May you hear Silver Bells, maybe catch a glimpse of Good King Wenceslas or The Little Drummer Boy. As for me, I will think of friends and family as I recall: “Oh Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.”
Merry Christmas to all.
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