Nine months was a long time to be out of our house for renovations, but at least the humans in our household understood that our tiny apartment was only a temporary space. Tippy and Hera, our cats, were less fortunate. They clearly thought our move to the apartment was a significant turn for the worse in their lives. They were particularly grumpy about the change from being indoor/outdoor cats to being indoor cats.
Tippy – who, after we got her, spent long hours lying in wait, hidden, so that she could escape every time the smaller humans opened the door to leave – is the reason that they are allowed outside. The apartment was practically an affront to her existence, and she was, frankly, dissatisfied with the only alternative to the great outdoors that we had to offer her: a tiny back porch.
When we moved back in, our house was so dramatically altered that we didn’t know if they would recognize the place. We didn’t want to risk them getting lost, so we kept them inside for a few days. Hera was pretty relaxed about the whole situation, but Tippy was not impressed.
So yesterday, we relented. Tippy kept begging at the front door, so we let them out. Look at their cautious excitement.
This morning, as I sat in our new kitchen, enjoying the sunshine, I noticed that neither of the girls was begging to be let out the back door, even though they were right next to it. Then I realized that they had never seen a sliding glass door before. I promptly stood up, walked over, and opened the door. I thought their heads were going to explode. Tippy who is, honestly, way way smarter than Hera, kept looking at the door and then looking at me as if to say, “Um… you just opened a WALL.” Hera actually stuck her paw through the opening and then pulled it back in several times, like some character in a Disney film who’s testing a magical portal. Eventually, they both went outside. Hera freaked herself out and came right back in – what if that magic portal turns back into a wall?! Tippy looked back as if to say, “See ya!” and disappeared into the neighbors’ yard, probably to let the neighborhood know that she’s home and will be requiring her previous rations of adoration and food.
And I returned to my sunny spot in the kitchen, chuckling and glad to be home.
Persistence and Pedagogy 
Their distinct personalities shine here. I kept thinking this could be a really cute picture book.
LikeLike
You know I’m all over this post! So many Tippy and Hera photos!!! I’m sitting here with a lap full of Toast (the cat not the bread) and we are very much enjoying this. I do love how their personalities come through so strongly here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know I wrote this partly for you. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love!!!!
LikeLike
It’s so wonderful that you can see the beauty amidst the chaos, and not just that in the rooms of your house! I love how you describe their behaviours: “like some character in a Disney film who’s testing a magical portal.” and the suggestion for a children’s book with these two as primary characters is a great one…when you have time 🙂
LikeLike
I can picture them in disbelief that this wall can open on your command! Thanks for making sure I get my smiles in today!
LikeLike
Here’s my favorite line (sorry, it’s not yours, it’s Tippy’s): “Um… you just opened a WALL.” I love how they’re dealing with their brave new world. We’re seeing that same sense of wonder through the eyes of our puppy. He his having some door epiphanies, too. Apparently he has never encountered doors with handles on the left. He stands on the hinge side and is surprised every time as the door opens on the other side, leaving him behind the door.
LikeLike
Amanda, each one of your cats has a distinct personality and you share that beautifully in this slice. Happy Remolding and Return to living in a bigger space.
LikeLike
Aw! Love those kitty pictures. It’s likely Tippy and Hera have developed some trust issues, do you’re going to have to work to regain that. Soon I bet both kitties are jockeying for the sunny spot in the doorway. Cats are so weird sometimes. Last night Hero let out a crazy cry in the middle of the night. I thought she was hurt, but she was reacting to the vacuum chord hanging in front of her bed. She thought she couldn’t get out.
LikeLike
Precious story about your cats. My husband wants me to write more cat stories. We have two total opposites!
LikeLike
I love this peek into your cat’s lives. They are beautiful cats! I often try to imagine what my cat is thinking. She lives her entire life indoors and I have convinced myself she loves it. I am not sure what she’d do if she went outside (she’s 16 and hasn’t been out since we found her as a “drop off” cat in the fall of 2004.) I love how you describe their trepidation in walking through the magic wall.
LikeLike
I love how you explained what your kitties were thinking. I could clearly visualize it.
Congrats on finally being home.
LikeLike
I’ve met a few cats in my life and most of them tend to take something (or even someone) as an “affront to their existence,” so I love that phrase. I also appreciate how you gloss your cats’s perspective on the life-changing new door. That’s one more chuckle than I had before reading your slice!
LikeLike
This is tender slice that we all got a glimpse of this morning. Your kitties had their schema shifted today. Can’t wait to hear another story about them
LikeLike
What a sweet slice! I bet that Elisabeth and Glenda especially liked it
LikeLike