Sheeit, we do this every morning. My cat sits on the edge of the bed and freaks out that I'm not petting her, complete with heartrending yowls and desperate swats at my arm as I walk by. The difference is, while that guy's just standing there, I'm usually getting dressed or putting on makeup. Nothing quite says "young professional" like an eye full of mascara because my cat thought I was being an asshole and wanted to tell me so at an inopportune time.
The best way to get my cat's attention is to be a bug crawling up the wall or to be holding food. Or both. Although I've yet to encounter a bug holding food.
@morninggloria: Yes! My super dumb (now deceased) cat was a mighty spider huntress. That and being beautiful were pretty much her two life skills, as far as I could tell. I lived in a high rise in Chicago and would get those gigantic high rise spiders -- she loved to hunt them down and kill them. It was a big win for both of us.
My current bug-hunting cat only seems to have mastered the stalking part. Actually dispatching the bugs/spiders is beyond him.
Oh yes, the "I'm Not Paying Any Attention to You" Game. I wish I could see video at work.
I've heard a number of theories about why cats are so attracted to people who are desperately trying to avoid/ignore them:
1. You're nonthreatening. If a cat knows that everyone else has a penchant for shrieking KITTY KITTY KITTY, and you just act sort of small and warm and inconspicuous and quiet, hoping desperately that the cat won't see you, the cat may think "Hey, that person looks like fun." EVEN IF YOU ARE TRYING DESPERATELY TO AVOID THE CAT.
2. Ever been looking intently at a computer screen or book, doing your very best to ignore a cat, and the fuzzy fucker HAD TO GET UP IN YOUR BIZ? Had to check out what you were staring at, had to see what you were doing, had to sit directly on the newspaper you're trying to read? I've read that it's because cats stare very intently at things when they hunt, and your cat may see your intense stare and assume that you're "hunting." Or, your cat might just be an asshole who likes cool smooth newspaper under his butt.
Or in my case, sit on the couch trying to eat. Yes, cat I'm sure that my cereal would be vastly improved by having a cat nose stuck in it, but I'll pass.
Anyone with a computer at home could tell you this. If I'm online at home its just a matter of time before my cat comes and attempts to lay across my entire computer. I'm sure the inside of my keyboard is full of cat hair.
@bluebears: My cat is positive that if she lays on my laptop keyboard, it will make me love her more. Sweetie, I only love you less when I'm suddenly unable to log into Vista after you spend 45 minutes licking your ass all over my keyboard.
@BlondeGoddess: This describes many mornings with my old cat, except you have to change "slapping me in the face" to "licking my face." Seriously not how I wanted to wake up in the mornings...
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My current bug-hunting cat only seems to have mastered the stalking part. Actually dispatching the bugs/spiders is beyond him.
07/09/09
I've heard a number of theories about why cats are so attracted to people who are desperately trying to avoid/ignore them:
1. You're nonthreatening. If a cat knows that everyone else has a penchant for shrieking KITTY KITTY KITTY, and you just act sort of small and warm and inconspicuous and quiet, hoping desperately that the cat won't see you, the cat may think "Hey, that person looks like fun." EVEN IF YOU ARE TRYING DESPERATELY TO AVOID THE CAT.
2. Ever been looking intently at a computer screen or book, doing your very best to ignore a cat, and the fuzzy fucker HAD TO GET UP IN YOUR BIZ? Had to check out what you were staring at, had to see what you were doing, had to sit directly on the newspaper you're trying to read? I've read that it's because cats stare very intently at things when they hunt, and your cat may see your intense stare and assume that you're "hunting." Or, your cat might just be an asshole who likes cool smooth newspaper under his butt.
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Woohoo happy endings!!
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This behavior guarantees that I am a CAT MAGNET in any home with cats.
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Especially the recent college graduates with clipboards who ask if you "have five minutes for the environment?"
No. I HATE the environment. And the children.