The Dog and Catsitter

I found that out while cat and dogsitting recently.

Two dogs and one cat, that aren't allowed in the same room with each other. For good reason.

The dogs are given the run of the house, while the cat stays in one bedroom, secluded, unless the cat is outdoors.

Just as boys and girls are different, so are cats and dogs.

Mysterious might be a good word to describe a cat. I'm told that no one owns a cat.

Anyway, my daughter and son-in-law went out of town for a class reunion and I was the designated sitter.

The two dogs know and love me, so there was no problem there.

"Would you like to go outside?" I would ask the dogs.

Immediately they ran for the backdoor, twisting in anticipation, then standing still while I attached their leads to their collars.

"Would you like a treat?"

The dogs would hurry to the counter where the treats are kept.

When I said it was time for bed, the dogs obediently went to the area where they each have a soft cushioned dog bed

No problem there.

Now try saying all that to a cat. A cat will yawn in your face

I remember when I arrived for the sitting. The dogs were wild with joy, jumping, deliriously vying for my attention.

Then when I entered the cat's room, she peered at me as if to say, "What are you doing here?"

She eyed me, then turned back to her grooming, licking her paws, ignoring me.

I felt like reminding her from whence she came. At one time, she was a hungry emaciated stray, befriended by my son-in-law.

Now she is a fat cat, plump from good food and loving care..

Everything went according to plan.

That night the dogs were bedded down, then I went to the bedroom where the cat and I were to share the room.

She curled up in a nighttime chair, while I took the daybed.

About 5:30 the next morning, I hear an insistent meowing in my left ear. It didn't stop until my feet hit the floor.

The cat ran for the outside door and waited for me to open it. Then out she went into the dawn. Sometime in mid afternoon I went outdoors and called to the cat. She was nowhere in sight and didn't anwer my call.

I saw no more of her until suppertime when she appeared at the door, waiting for me to let her in.

Then she hurried straightaway to her food bowl, meowing all the way. She knew the cat food would be there; she has trained her keepers well.

After she had eaten, she jumped onto a small table, rolled over on her back, stretched her front legs, and waited. Apparently it was time for her belly rub.

She purred, obviously enjoying the belly massage, sometimes grabbing my hand playfully. She would turn her head from side to side as I gently rubbed the fur around her neck.

Just as quickly, I was dismissed when she jumped down, began grooming, then fell asleep in her favorite chair.

They say that dogs have owners; cats have staff. It is also said that the cat is there when you call her---if she doesn't have something better to do.

The dogs were more dependent. They wanted to be waited on, talked to, patted, loved. They brought toys to me and wanted to play.. They curled up next to me on the couch and snoozed. content..

Before the pet owners returned, I made out report cards for the two dogs and one cat.

The male dog got a lower score in conduct because he sneaked into the cat's bedroom and ate her cat foot after the sitter inadvertently left the door ajar. Luckily, the cat was outside, doing what cats do.

The dog and I had a serious talk and he promised to never eat the cat's food again.

He was contrite, but we'll see.