Training Mom

It's been really toasty warm here (in the 80s), so I have been doing a lot of this. I had my paw over my eyes when Mom got the camera out, but I moved it before she could take the picture. Remember when I said that I couldn't get Mom to play with me at oh-dark-thirty, no matter what I did? Well, I found a way around that. I just waited until it was barely getting light and woke Mom up like I do when I want early breakfast. She got right up and started following me down the hall. Instead of running into the kitchen, I ran into the big room and attacked one of my toys. Mom came in and played with me, but she had to turn on the kitchen light to see what I was doing and where the toys were. We played until I was ready to stop, then we went into the kitchen and Mom got me early breakfast. She went back to bed while I ate. I jumped up on the bed before she got back to sleep and snuggled up next to her and meowed for her to put her arm out for me to use for a pillow and she did. Then I stuck my head in her hand for scritches and she obliged. I even persuaded her to use both hands to pet and scritch me. I shifted over on my back. Now Mom knows perfectly well that when I do this, I want my chest petted, but her hand always wanders down to tickle my furchin, which I do NOT like. I usually put the bitey on her thumb when she tickles my furchin, but my head was sooo comfy that I just kicked her with my back feet until her hand went back to my chest where it belonged. I got petted for a nice long time, until I wiggled a bit away to let Mom know that I had enough and we both went to sleep. To show my appreciation, I didn't bug her again until it was full daylight and time for second breakfast, then I actually let her sleep again until it was time for her to get up. You have to give your Mom a little reward to help the training sink in.

Karen Jo: Thank you for letting me sleep today, Herman. I appreciate it. I just can't resist tickling your furchin. I just love it that you have that little round belly. As long as it's there, I know that you aren't losing weight, as that is the first part that goes away. What did you do with your nip ball? We played with it in the almost dark, but I can't find it anywhere now.

I'm not telling. If you can't find it, you will just have to get me a new one.

Karen Jo: I just might have to do that, but it will have to wait a few days, until I have some time off. You had fun with a bug in the kitchen tonight.

Yes, I did. I love it that bugs are starting to come into the house.

Karen Jo: You only seem to notice the ones on the floor, though. There was a big fly in the kitchen this morning and you never noticed it.

I was too busy looking out the kitchen window and sniffing the smells. I also discovered that I like macaroni and cheese with hamburger.

Karen Jo: That surprised me a little. I figured that you would go for the macaroni and cheese, but you have always turned up your nose at hamburger before. However, when I gave you a little spoonful of the mixture, you ate it all up.

You never can tell what I will want to eat. I like to keep you guessing.