Noisy and silent communications
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A cat cries for company and a poodle pup is freaked out by fireworks
A FRIEND who rescues dogs and cats is having difficulties with a man who adopted a cat from her a few months ago.
She tells me that he asked her to find a Korat cat (or “Si-sawad”) for him, or at least one that looked like a Korat.
With its steel-grey coat and green eyes, this Thai breed of cat is particularly beautiful. It’s also intelligent, loving and loyal, a cat who considers itself a companion, not a pet.
The man knew that any cat my friend could find would not be a purebred Korat. Instead, in the wats, construction sites and sois where dogs and cats are abandoned, it might be possible to find a cat or even a kitten that would have some of the physical characteristics of this lovely breed.
She found one almost immediately, a kitten abandoned in a soi, and after cleaning the kid up and ensuring that he was healthy and had all his vaccinations, she sent the kid over to the man.
The man fell completely in love with the kid. In my opinion, any cat is personable, but this cat was so charming and friendly that the man was thoroughly enchanted.
A few months passed, and suddenly the love affair soured. The man called my friend.
“Please, please, please, take the cat back,” he pleaded.
“Why?” my friend asked.
“I don’t know what to do with this cat,” the man said.
It turned out that the man works at home. He keeps work hours, and while he works, he closes the door to his office to avoid any distractions.
As soon as he closes the door, his cat stands outside and cries. The man rushes outside to find out what’s wrong. The cat isn’t injured or sick. The food bowl is full.
“I give him the best food available, the highest quality,” the man said. “I’ve taken him to the vet, and there’s nothing wrong.”
He didn’t know what else to do, but the cat’s screaming was disturbing him. “I must work,” he said.
In a way, I envy his problem. Right now, I think my poodle-pup Wan-Wan is in trouble, but she doesn’t say anything.
I’ve been trying to get her to lose weight, now that she’s gained 250 grammes, a lot for a tiny dog like Wan. I’ve reduced her food and taken her out for walks in the morning and evening.
At first, she was delighted with the increased opportunity to go outside, but just recently she’s decided she doesn’t want to go out in the evening. She loves the morning walk, but when it’s time for her afternoon walk, she hides under the sofa and refuses to come out.
Her eyes look so sad, as if I should know why she doesn’t want to go – but I don’t.
I do know why that man’s cat is yelling. As I’ve said, Korats are intelligent, loving and loyal. In addition, like all cats, this kid hates closed doors, especially when he wants to be with his companion, his friend.
The solution is for the man to put a “cat-tree” in his office, where his buddy can watch him, and probably be silent, or at least be quieter than he has been.
Eventually, I find out what’s wrong with Wan. In fact, nothing’s wrong with her. At this time of year, the neighbourhood kids on the soi have been throwing fireworks around, making unexpected, loud noises that can terrify a little dog. In the afternoon, what should be a pleasant walk is too stressful for her.
The solution is to take her out before the children come home, and to hold her if a child starts playing around with noise-makers.
