Cat fights show just who your friends are
All is not quiet on the feline front as Manohra and Yoyo get into a tussle and Thep is attacked by a Soi Tom
THE CAT fight upstairs is sudden, all sorts of bad language from two cats – Wild Child Manohra and Brat-Cat Yoyo.
On the first floor, my poodle-pup Wan-Wan whines anxiously. If she could, she’d run upstairs to protect Manohra, her favourite cat, but she’s eight years old, and her legs will no longer let her climb wherever she wants.
Instead, she looks at me, as in, “Manohra’s in trouble! Go up there and help!”
How disappointed I feel! Last week, I wrote how much Manohra has changed in the past months, from an aggressive little cat to a much gentler young lady. Slowly, she’s even learned to leave Yoyo alone. The two cats can even stay in the same room together.
Now, on the third floor, she’s yelling at Yoyo, and I know from his face that he really hasn’t done anything to her.
Poor Yoyo. I have to smile, though.
Years ago, when he reached two years old, Yoyo stopped being a cute kitten and turned into a really aggressive young boy. Actually, he turned into a little bully, attacking any other cat who was weak, elderly, or sick. He never bothered anyone who was bigger or stronger than he was.
Slowly over the years, he’s learned how to behave. The girls – certainly the kittens – are safe with him, although he really doesn’t like the other boys.
Now, just when I thought the cat-wars were slowing down, there’s been a renewal of hostilities. This time, Manohra is unusually aggressive. She just won’t stop. Yoyo looks increasingly miserable.
When I pick him up, I understand. Poor Yoyo has an abscess under his tail. The wound has broken open, with blood seeping out. He’s really one sick cat.
Of course, Manohra knows how ill he is. She can smell it, and she’s taking advantage of the situation.
You who live in multi-animal households must have already noticed how a sick and weak animal might be harassed by another pet. You really can’t expect all the animals to be kind to one another.
As I get ready to take the sufferer to the vet for treatment, there’s suddenly a huge cat-fight outside. Yelling, screaming, rolling on the ground – one cat is getting beaten up by another, and I know who the loser is.
It’s Thep, one of the soi cats who drop by for breakfast and dinner. He’s no fighter, and since his friend Thong is already inside my house, the winner must be one of the unneutered boys who try occasionally to take over Thep’s territory.
Inside my house, Wan is going crazy. “Oh no. Oh no. Another fight!” she whines. Even Thong runs to the door. Everyone likes Thep, except Yoyo.
When I open the gate, Thep immediately runs inside. He’s limping, and he won’t let me touch him.
Thong and Wan, though, run over to him and begin smelling him. Then Thong takes over grooming duties on his head, while Wan gently licks and nibbles his body and legs. Thep sits patiently and (I think) gratefully while the cat and dog try to help him.
They obviously know where Thep hurts the most.
I carefully note which areas of Thep’s body they spend the most time on. Lots of times, injuries aren’t noticeable for a few days, but at least I can check those specific areas, before any infections become too advanced.
No one has ever tried to help Yoyo or Manohra in the same way. No cat goes near Yoyo at the best of times, and the only times Wan tries to help Manohra are during fights.
Yet the way Thong and Wan take care of Thep makes me feel better. Friends really do help friends, just not all the time.
