Slightly timid

The Feline Mystique: Keep ‘em Guessing… By Brella D Kitty

Based on the author’s own personal life experiences, this short how-to guide provides tips to cats for keeping cat-lovers on their toes.

1. Upon arrival in your new environment, find a space that seems impossibly tiny and hide there. There may be other secluded spots, but they can be explored later. Special note: meowing while hiding can elicit a lot of sympathy from the people around you. Cat-lovers are pretty gullible! If possible, make those meows more like adorable little squeaks.

2. After a week or two, spend lots more time away from hiding spots. This gives you more opportunities to check out your new home (windows are so interesting!) and the cat-lovers who live there.

3. Appear to be a bit picky with cat food at first, except for treats, of course. The idea is to create enough concern that you will get plenty of treats until people catch onto your clever tricks. After that, eat your delicious cat food normally. I find that you’ll still get some treats, but without all the mushy sympathy.

4. While keeping a mostly low profile during the day, if people give you attention in your secluded spots, purr loudly at once, even before they pet you. People cannot resist that, especially if you look at them lovingly with your big liquid eyes. That will definitely get you plenty of loving pets and scratches.

5. If you are startled by a strange sound or object, head for one of your hiding spots until you’re sure it’s safe to come out. Cat-lovers understand and will coax you out reassuringly, possibly with a treat or two. Purr appreciatively.

6. Emerge from your hiding spots unexpectedly (keep ‘em guessing!) and meow a bit to get attention. Grateful cat-lovers will surely call you over immediately for pets and scratches.

7. While exploring around the home, meowing without any apparent reason at all can elicit concern from all but the savviest cat-lovers (possible treat opportunity!). Keep this to a minimum, however, as this behaviour can cut into playtime and window-watching. Also, cat-lovers might have cranky neighbours.

8. Make sure to take full advantage of wand toy play! Running, jumping and catching the toy provides plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, which is important for indoor cats. This will keep you fit and alert. Also, I’ve seen that cat-lovers always enjoy their time spent playing with you, and this might encourage them to give you a treat or two for being so cute.

9. Grooming keeps your fur silky soft and irresistible, so make time for daily grooming.

10. Always use the litter box without fail. Recent surveys indicate that cat-lovers place a very high value on this!

11. During the night, a cat-lover’s cozy bed makes an excellent place to sleep peacefully. This is not a time for being noisy. Being noisy at night probably won’t get you treats. Even the most devoted cat-lovers need their sleep.

For more tips and information, fill out and submit the adoption application form to meet the author, Brella D Kitty, at her foster home.