It’s 6:30 am and still dark outside. I walk down our stairs to get my breakfast with just enough light to barely see the steps. On my way back up, as I’m about to round the mid-step turn, something with claws reaches out and swipes me on the shoulder completely freaking me out... yet again. Its our daughter Amy’s cat “Love Cat”… which seems a misnomer at that particular moment.
Amy purchased him from the “kitty pound” a couple years back. He was a fully grown, tubby black cat… the kind no one wants. Adult is strike one. Black is strike two. And because we prefer skinny things in this society, tubby, strike three. But Amy looks beyond social conditioning and goes for what feels right in the moment. Love Cat felt right. The pound folks had named him and Amy kept it.
Now before you think I’m trying to demonize this cat, he was chosen because of his loving nature. He’s a very calm soul, revels in being petted and is virtually maintenance free… which I guess most cats are. He was quite skittish for a long time, having been mistreated in his past, and he spent most of his early days with us hidden in some obscure spot. But after a while he got over that for the most part. He also has a penchant for lying in the oddest places, most times right where you have to step over him. He never keeps to the same location. I have found him comfortably laying on the fireplace hearth, curled up on a bunch of smashed boxes by the back door, tucked away in a lower kitchen cupboard and sprawled out in a doorway with half of him in one room and half in another. However, recently he’s started repeatedly staking out a spot on the upper landing of the stairs.
I really doubt that there is any ill intent in this latest locale. Sometimes as I step over him in various places he will reach out with a little swat of his paw as if to say “Hey! Stop and give me a scratch 
He doesn’t realize that its dark and so is he. He doesn’t understand that as I traverse the stairs in the black silence, my mind elsewhere, that an invisible furry claw reaching out of the darkness to grab me might possibly cause me some distress. Of course he doesn’t get that… he’s just a cat. Right?
Really cute. I love creative nonfiction; so, I voted you as my favorite post on this week’s Wake Up Wednesday. My cat loves to wake me at 5 a.m. with a few nibbles to my toes. He will not leave me alone til I feed him, put more water in his bowl and clean out his litter box. I try to clean it out at night before I go to bed hoping he will not wake me, but it never works. At least, his litter box stays clean. 🙂
Why thank you Mary. I really appreciate that! Thank you so much for reading and commenting… and giving a cat a loving home. Ü
They are never “just cats”! I’ve had a cat for my entire life and just had to put down my 18 year old. I’m currently catless and though it’s s joy to go to bed without thinking about the litterbox, I can’t wait to get another kitten this spring!
We had a cat who loved to sit in the kitchen chairs where you couldn’t see her and then stick her paws out and grab you as you walked by. Highly entertaining for everyone but the unsuspecting victim. When they are young, they love hiding and pouncing and they dont’ care if they are surprising another cat or a human. THey are just so much fun. I’m sure after years of hiding and now discovering that you aren’t out to get him, he’s getting a total thrill out of your reaction every time he grabs you on the stairs. I totally believe they do things to entertain themselves though it’s out of a love for their humans, not a sense of torture. Animals in the wild do things to show their bonds that we would consider mean or rude if we did it to each other, but it’s their instinct. Like bringing you a dead mouse as a “gift”, grabbing you as you walk by is just another expression of his adoration for you!
Thank you so much for sharing part of your story. “cat people” truly get them and understand. My oldest daughter (not the one whose cat this is) currently has 4 plus two dogs. We’re animal lovers for sure. Appreciate your comments. I’m happy for the new kitty in you future who will be coming to a loving home. Ü
I can completely relate to this post. In fact, our rescued cat looks identical to yours!! Ours also likes to give us “love pats” when we walk past unsuspectingly… Found your post on create link inspire!
lol! I’m finding many cats have similar traits. Thanks so much for stopping by and posting Erica!
LOL, there is no such thing as just a cat! I have four running around my house. The oldest two are 13 and when they were ten we rescued an outdoor cat (8 months at the time, 3 years old now) who was loving and gorgeous, such a sad story though it’s on my blog if you are interested. So recently we rescued a kitten (6months) from a family friend who was highly allergic. Luckily as we hoped, the oldest two are able to relax as retired elderly kitties and the younger two play together. However, I envy you for rescuing a lazy gorgeous kitty, as my two rescues are full of energy and some days I want to pull my hair out! My mother in law rescued a lazy black kitty too! Maybe I just need to rescue a black kitty, although I haven’t had a choice of color when my heart strings have been pulled. Kudos to your daughter for being so awesome!
Cat people always “get” it. Ü My oldest daughter has 4 cats and works at a pet place/rescue. I always so admire people that do that. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Ü
Our cat, Scout, used to do that. It was always a bit of a surprise no matter how often it happened.
Cats are unique critters for sure. Ü
He’s just a cat……..but oh how we love them. I have 2 cats and a black dog. I they rule the house and we let them!!!
Ain’t that the truth! Thanks for stopping by Cindi!
Adorable! Being a cat lover and owner, I can relate to this cat-ness! Also, our dog is black and completely lovable. I was surprised to discover that at humane societies and other rescue places, there is something called “black dog syndrome”. Why doesn’t anyone want an adorable black pet? The only bad part of them is that they are difficult to photograph. I loved your story! Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings
Black cats goes to the “bad luck” myth. I don’t know whats up with the black dog thing. But yeah… both are hard to photograph! Thanks for stopping by Linda!
Yes he is just a cat….our cat too likes to get right in front of you and stop. Don’t know why they do that!
Cats are unique critters for sure. Ü Thanks for stopping by Vickie!
Hi Nancy, yes, he’s a cat! Since last year we never had been without. They are good for some books !!! If I could write, that would fill a lot of them ! Thank’s for sharing.
LOL! I love it! What a great hiding place… my cats will occasionally hide under the bed and wait patiently for vulnerable toes to pass by… thanks for sharing mama.
Had I not known better I would have thought I was reading Dave Barry. Great article. Dad
Well that’s certainly a compliment. Thanks dad!