I'm beginning to think whiffle ball play will help melt the ice between me and Carys

[Siwsan]

She LOVES playing with them and lets me get very close if I have one in my hand. A couple of times she has batted it right at me so that I can give it a good roll for her to chase. And, oddly, the boys don't interfere with the play.

[wnylib]

1. When she bats it right back at you,

if you hit it back to her, she might catch on that the game continues back and forth if she keeps hitting it in your direction. I had a cat when I was a child who did that with me. We would play ball like that for long periods at a time, to the surprise of adults who saw us.

[Siwsan]

3. Gryff LOVES to play fetch with whiffle balls. He brings them right back to me

Well, sometimes he drops them a little short and then runs up to show me where he dropped it.

The other morning while I was making breakfast he insisted on playing fetch. So, I multi-tasked.

[wnylib]

4. Ember used to almost do that as a kitten.

When I threw a toy, she would carry it almost back to me, but not quite all the way. She doesn't do it any more.

She also did something that was very funny. She was possessive of her toys to the point that, when she had one in her mouth, she would growl if I got too close to her. But then she would drop it for me to pick up and throw again. It was like she WANTED a reason to growl and show that she could be tough, but then switched to, "OK, changed my mind. Go ahead and take it to throw."

Sometimes she would hop onto my desk when I was on the laptop, carrying a toy in her mouth and then growl as soon as she got there because I was too close. I was like, "Hey, YOU brought it to ME, so why are you growling?" She just loved the chance to play tough kitty, but then give it up. "Just kidding, mom."

[SheltieLover]

5. Maybe she growls to get your attention?

Cats...

[wnylib]

7. I don't think that was it. These episodes

were always associated with her toys. When she wanted attention, she would either knock things to the floor or love bomb me to death. Still does both of those things for attention.

I think the growling with her toys is related to her having some Egyptian Mau in her background. They are described as being possessive of toys. But since Ember is a mix, I've noticed that, as she matured, some of the Mau behavior and physical traits have mellowed. She doesn't growl over toys any more.

But she does still wag her tail when happy, like a dog. She still does a playful bounce when she changes direction while walking or running. She still likes peek-a-boo and ambush games (modified to a gentler version after she once hurt me). And she still does that funny thing that is unique to Maus, where she vibrates her tail from the base to the tip when she is especially excited about something.

[SheltieLover]

8. Ember sounds like such an interesting and engaging kitty!

I'm not familiar with her breed. Going to look up Maus!

Thank you so much for sharing about her!

[wnylib]

9. She's a character. Clever, amusing,

Last edited Fri Nov 4, 2022, 06:09 PM - Edit history (1)

full of surprises, always upbeat, often mischievous and knows that she is being mischievous. It is often deliberate to get a reaction from me. But she's also sweet and affectionate. Very playful and loves interactive play.

[MiHale]

2. Patience wins hearts...