Cat Saturday:Power Struggles
“I want to write,” says Merlin.
“No, I wanna write,”says Odin.
“I want bash in Gris Gris’s head,” says Domino.
“I don’t wanna take my medicine,” cries Ling Ling.
If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was a bunch of brats wailing to a harried mother. The more cats or kids , the more juggling and potential for power struggles. Just another week chez Layla. The house is still divided with a quarantined hospital wing for foster gal Ling Ling. Her course of antibiotics ended yesterday and she’s turned the corner. I think this photo speaks volumes. It’s amazing what meds and the power of love can do.
In order to spend more one-on-one time with her, I stay up until the wee hours with her. She makes an excellent reading assistant except when she’s kissing my eyelids and headbutting (no complaints there!). When I can’t keep my eyelids open, I sneak downstairs to my bed like a cheating lover to deal with Merlin.
He cries, “Where have you been? You smell like another cat!” He crawls over me, chastising (loudly) and scent-marking until I’m his again, and falls asleep in my arms. While I’m with Ling Ling, Gris Gris warms my spot for me, but leaves when once I arrive. The intricate jockeying of position goes on 24/7.
Odin, eternal trickster, mischief-maker and odd man out, acts out by lobbing objects to the floor for sport and to get attention. Since Merlin and Gris Gris have bonded, his only feline friend is Domino who is an outdoor feral. He’ll do anything to get outside to see him. Here’s this week’s mischief hall of shame.
The cute culprit feigns innocence.
Odin escaped briefly yesterday for a romp with Domino. The bad news is: Domino and Gris Gris are engaged in an escalating power struggle. They tussled on the lawn because Gris Gris dared go near Domino’s food bowl.
The good news is: Odin is more amenable to being caught more quickly and easily. Instead of hubby freaking out when he escapes, we ignore Odin and refuse to play “Cat and Mouse” because guess who’s the mouse? All three cats joined in a spirited rabbit chase. Score: Cats 0. Rabbit 1.
Here’s Gris Gris keeping an eye on Odin up a tree.
On another day, I heard a plaintive crying outdoors. A first I thought it was Domino, who often talks to the wind. My suspicions aroused, I ventured into the garden and spotted a black cat (either Ambien or her sister Lunesta) who I suspect are former lovers of Domino’s. She raced off before I could determine if she was in heat. Domino had a resigned look of lady, I can’t help you out in love department.
After seven weeks of antibiotics, this is the best we’ve seen him look in a long time. He has a slight remaining limp, and the next adventure will be to attempt to trap and x-ray him again to determined whether the infection is gone. Now, that will be a power struggle.
In the midst of our crazy lives, it’s important to stop, enjoy and maybe unplug? The entire gang wishes you a safe and happy weekend.
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Faith
I so enjoyed reading this. The power struggle in my house between Tigger, China and Latte is ongoing. As she gets older Latte is more aggressive with poor Chai. Tigger snuggles with them both separately but never together. I’ve given up on that. The few times I am up in the wee hours of the morning are the only times that Latte crawls in my lap to snuggle and be petted. I cherish those times. Thankfully Tigger is a big fat lap cat who satisfies my longing.
boomermuse
Hi Faith, purrs to you and Tigger, China and Latte. So many behavioral changes happen as cats grow older, even those have lived together for years.
Mary Fraser
Laughing in total understanding. Boy are cats political!! And we just thought humans could take the rap!! LOL
I must retrieve another old pic of a rescue we called Spartacus… because of the wars he fought… Domino reminds me so much of him… what a serious “bear cat”… as I call his family of tough guys…
Very very happy with Ling Ling news… I knew the willingness was there.. and then there is your magic….xxxx soooooooo happy.
boomermuse
Mary, thanks for your thoughts 🙂
BizzyDeb
I love the names for the cats, especially the two named after sleep aids! Around here cats on the lap cause a condition known as ‘catasizing.’ One is catasized once the cat puts you to sleep.
I have a dear friend and fellow cat lover who has run out of names and begun using phrases instead; she now has a kitten named “What is it?” I’ll be sure to share your inspiration….
I too have found that cats go through a stage where they must experiment with gravity, knocking things off shelves and counters, then leaning over the edge to see the results!
As cat lovers, we have perpetual 2-3 year olds…. However, our Skittle, who was feral as a kitten, did straighten up when we got a new kitten. She is still not very patient and growls when she’s not happy with the situation, but she took the little thing on and showed it the ropes. Now she’s a lot more even-tempered and I can see that she tries to behave.
Well, there I go, blabbing on about my cats. Glad for sites like this, where other cat lovers understand!
Deb
Pam Kimmell
Beautiful photos of your “kids” Layla. Both Ling Ling and Domino look like they are doing so very well thanks to your care. The only power struggle we have in our house since we are a one cat household is Sammy vs. Mom and Dad! LOL Guess who ALWAYS wins. Happy Sunday.
Pam and Sam, One Spoiled Cat
boomermuse
Pam, thanks. Purrs to you and Sam.
Spitty-the-Kitty
Ha ha ha! That’s a really good mess–the result of a truly determined whapper! The Human tells me I am the most careful, delicate-footed kitty she has ever had (sooo true! but I show my displeasure in other ways, heh heh).
Sweet Ling Ling looks all happy and content. Glad she is well.
boomermuse
Maybe he’s practicing his golf swing 😉
Pam
Thanks for joining in Weekend Cat Blogging, you have enough kitties to run the whole show!
boomermuse
Thanks Pam, it was fun!
Simba
And we thought WE were wrangling cats over here with just 2 personalities to deal with! Souds like you are doing a great job.
boomermuse
Thanks, wrangling is a good word.
Brian
That Ling Ling is certainly a beautiful one! Hey, knocking stuff off of things is lots of fun!
boomermuse
Brian, you can clean up next time 😉
CATachresis
Lummy! We have power struggles with just one cat! Humans are the losers. I’m glad Ling Ling is doing so much better. She looks a beauty. 🙂
boomermuse
Thank-you everyone for the good wishes for Ling Ling.
Austin, of course you have to win 🙂
Kathryn
Oh my. So much going on. Have not seen a phone that old since… I was about 3. So glad to hear about Ling Ling. She’s a beauty. Odin and Dom as adorable as always, and glad to know the bunny got away. Hope it stays that way. You really have your hands full with ex-lovers, jealous lovers and power struggles.
boomermuse
Sadly, the phone doesn’t work anymore. It reminds me of simpler times.
Marg
Sure glad to hear Ling Ling is so much better.She sure looks good and all because of your good care. Dom looks terrific. Hope you can trap him again but he may be on to you. The ones around her have figured out my tricks and will not go into the carrier.
Oden, you are just a mess but you do keep Layla smiling and that is important. We bet you are a lot of fun. Hope all of you have a wonderful week end.
boomermuse
Marg, thanks trapping Dom could prove a challenge. Odin is more fun than a barrel of monkeys any day.
Admiral Hestorb
Ling Ling is a true beauty. Every one I see here is beautiful..and well loved and cared for. It’s a joy to read your blog. xoxoxox
Katnip Lounge
Ah, the joys of Newtonian physics. Salem explores them daily at our house.
It is endlessly fascinating (and irritating, sometimes; i.e. pee mail) to witness the hierarchy power struggles in a clowder.
boomermuse
Thankfully we have not experienced pee-mail yet 😉
Ingrid King
Finally, we get to see Ling Ling’s beauty! I’m so glad to hear she’s feeling better, but sorry to hear about Domino and Gris Gris not getting along.
As for Odin’s destructive streak: I highly recommend museum putty!
boomermuse
Ingrid, thanks. I don’t mind him breaking some stuff. The good stuff is behind glass cabinets. Ling Ling is much better and I’m not too worried about the aggression with the boys. They’ll work it out.
Cheysuli
And we thought we had power struggles!
boomermuse
Well, you know those meezers 😉
Bernadette
Glad to hear Ling Ling is doing better! I have been wondering. Also glad to hear about the power struggles in another household. Not so much now with the unified family, but for years it dominated every day here.
boomermuse
Bernadette, power struggles are inevitable with larger groups but thankfully it ebbs and flows.