It is gorgeous. Although I'm used to broad, slow rivers meeting the sea. Or the lake, for that matter. The idea of a river meeting the sea over a waterfall seems incongruous.
Waiting for a response from a dear friend of mine who is an Animal Behaviorist for Massachusetts ASPCA.
About a half hour ago I got attacked by our usually sweet calico cat Spinnaker. I need to know if there is such a thing as temporary insanity with cats, that can be a "one-off", or if this is more likely to end badly.
Here are the particulars. Last weekend I opened a huge birthday box from my son that came via Amazon with a squirrel baffle in it. It was full of thick brown paper, as people sometimes use for packing. The kitties were in kitty heaven with a big box and crunchy sounding paper. They've been playing in and out of the box all week. So far, so good.
But we have company coming tomorrow (Daughter is bringing Baby Grandson for his first trip to Vermont, and they will be staying here); so it was time to take the box out to the garage. I started to ball up the paper into the box, and both cats came zooming in from the (screened) back porch and ran right up to the box. Spinnaker took a swipe and caught my hand. I thought she had been going for Mizzen (they sometimes play "Attack and Defend," as kitties do). I told them to stop and they ran off in different directions. As they went, I noticed that Spinnaker was all fuzzed up, big tail and all. Silly kitty, I thought. So I resumed balling up the paper (there was a LOT of it) and was bending over the box as I did, and immediately Spinnaker came back flying at me; she went straight for my face and I got a massive scratch across my face that bled! I shouted in pain and she ran off a little. I think I have a few other punctures behind my neck where her other paw grabbed, but fortunately I was wearing a corduroy shirt! (Yay cooler weather!) So now I knew she meant business, and took precautions. I had to get the box and paper out of the house, but did not bend over and made as little noise as possible. And she came back a third time! I told her NO! firmly and she hesitated long enough for me to pick up the box and start walking it out the door. I'm glad that's gone!!
But now I am concerned about how it goes from here. She has been a little aggressive with Mizzen at times (if I'm cuddled with her on the bed, and Mizzen comes up too, Spinnaker will chase her out of the room! And, as you know, they used to wash each others' faces.) But in all those instances, she does not have her fur up and a fuzzy tail as happened with the sound of the paper. So crazy!
She has been fine towards me since, but I'm a bit alarmed at what she is capable of and that she would actually attack me (I'm her favorite person, for gosh sakes!!). She has never been aggressive towards me before. Mizzen, on the other hand, will nip me sometimes. By the time I got the box outside and came in to look at the scratch, I found the multiple scratch marks (which are about 3" long) had bled all the way down to my chin! Yikes! Ironically, Mizzen laid across the bathroom doorstep, watching me, then followed me around and just placed herself nearby anywhere I stopped, like my protector! Ha! Go figure.
So I need to know whether this is probably okay going forward or whether we could have a kitty with an issue and a worsening situation. I'm especially concerned with the little one arriving tomorrow. Argh!
I'll defer to your animal behaviorist friend, but at one level what happened was that you were taking away something Spinnaker prized and she was defending her property.
I think the sound of the paper made her temporarily insane. She wasn't aggressive at all unless I was crunching it. It seemed more a fear response than play or serious defense. She couldn't have known I was taking it anywhere. And I have never hurt her. I just think the sound of the paper freaked her out. Though why she attacked my face makes no sense.
Word has reached me that at yesterday's meeting of Jillian's immediate family, medical team, social worker and ministers the family learned that Jillian's brain stem was severely compromised at the moment of impact. The family has agreed to a DNR.
That's gorgeous, listener, thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous. Although I'm used to broad, slow rivers meeting the sea. Or the lake, for that matter. The idea of a river meeting the sea over a waterfall seems incongruous.
DeleteThis is the only place in Maine where fresh water falls directly into salt water without first mixing together at the mouth of a river.
DeleteNotes on last thread.
ReplyDeleteI happened upon this:
ReplyDeleteThe route of John Brown’s funeral cortege. [Click] Crossed Lane Champlain before reaching Burlington.
—Alan
Though it was Lake Champlain, I prefer not to read about a funeral procession just now. Thanks for understanding.
DeleteMea culpa maxima. I have been re-studying John Brown. Incredible man. Incredible family.
DeleteAlan
Waiting for a response from a dear friend of mine who is an Animal Behaviorist for Massachusetts ASPCA.
ReplyDeleteAbout a half hour ago I got attacked by our usually sweet calico cat Spinnaker. I need to know if there is such a thing as temporary insanity with cats, that can be a "one-off", or if this is more likely to end badly.
Here are the particulars. Last weekend I opened a huge birthday box from my son that came via Amazon with a squirrel baffle in it. It was full of thick brown paper, as people sometimes use for packing. The kitties were in kitty heaven with a big box and crunchy sounding paper. They've been playing in and out of the box all week. So far, so good.
But we have company coming tomorrow (Daughter is bringing Baby Grandson for his first trip to Vermont, and they will be staying here); so it was time to take the box out to the garage. I started to ball up the paper into the box, and both cats came zooming in from the (screened) back porch and ran right up to the box. Spinnaker took a swipe and caught my hand. I thought she had been going for Mizzen (they sometimes play "Attack and Defend," as kitties do). I told them to stop and they ran off in different directions. As they went, I noticed that Spinnaker was all fuzzed up, big tail and all. Silly kitty, I thought. So I resumed balling up the paper (there was a LOT of it) and was bending over the box as I did, and immediately Spinnaker came back flying at me; she went straight for my face and I got a massive scratch across my face that bled! I shouted in pain and she ran off a little. I think I have a few other punctures behind my neck where her other paw grabbed, but fortunately I was wearing a corduroy shirt! (Yay cooler weather!) So now I knew she meant business, and took precautions. I had to get the box and paper out of the house, but did not bend over and made as little noise as possible. And she came back a third time! I told her NO! firmly and she hesitated long enough for me to pick up the box and start walking it out the door. I'm glad that's gone!!
But now I am concerned about how it goes from here. She has been a little aggressive with Mizzen at times (if I'm cuddled with her on the bed, and Mizzen comes up too, Spinnaker will chase her out of the room! And, as you know, they used to wash each others' faces.) But in all those instances, she does not have her fur up and a fuzzy tail as happened with the sound of the paper. So crazy!
She has been fine towards me since, but I'm a bit alarmed at what she is capable of and that she would actually attack me (I'm her favorite person, for gosh sakes!!). She has never been aggressive towards me before. Mizzen, on the other hand, will nip me sometimes. By the time I got the box outside and came in to look at the scratch, I found the multiple scratch marks (which are about 3" long) had bled all the way down to my chin! Yikes! Ironically, Mizzen laid across the bathroom doorstep, watching me, then followed me around and just placed herself nearby anywhere I stopped, like my protector! Ha! Go figure.
So I need to know whether this is probably okay going forward or whether we could have a kitty with an issue and a worsening situation. I'm especially concerned with the little one arriving tomorrow. Argh!
I'll defer to your animal behaviorist friend, but at one level what happened was that you were taking away something Spinnaker prized and she was defending her property.
Deletelistener, here's a rather long article on cat attacks:
ReplyDeletehttps://pethelpful.com/cats/cat-danger
I think the sound of the paper made her temporarily insane. She wasn't aggressive at all unless I was crunching it. It seemed more a fear response than play or serious defense. She couldn't have known I was taking it anywhere. And I have never hurt her. I just think the sound of the paper freaked her out. Though why she attacked my face makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteWell, the river has met the sea...
ReplyDeleteWord has reached me that at yesterday's meeting of Jillian's immediate family, medical team, social worker and ministers the family learned that Jillian's brain stem was severely compromised at the moment of impact. The family has agreed to a DNR.
Your prayers are cherished. ❤
It is gorgeous. Thanks For sharing. #Lister am running website you can get all your pets details and info By visiting the website
ReplyDelete