Part Time

[tavalon]

I can't remember if I told you guys about Part Time, but he just sauntered in, so I figured I would tell you about him, in a roundabout way.

I separated from my husband of 11 years just 7 months ago. I've been making a joke (sort of) that I think I'm done with relationships and want to live the rest of my life as a crazy cat lady.

So, when I left, I moved onto a little barge. All the neighbors are great and the next door neighbors have a dog and a cat. The cat knows a secret passage into my barge. And after my dog visited a few weeks ago and broke one of the windows on the door, I now have a cat door of sorts. The cat has stopped coming in the sneaky way, since the opening on the door is just right.

So, when I stay up all night (I work nights and try to stay on my schedule), he comes in at about 11pm, looks at me with a slightly baleful look and then climbs the stairs to the loft and sleeps the night away. At 5am, he comes down, gives me another interesting look and leaves.

His given name is Jeffrey. But I call him Part Time and yes, I've started putting food and water out. Funny thing, he isn't any friendlier now that I feed him and he answers to neither Jeffrey nor Part Time, hence the reason I don't worry about confusing him by calling him Part Time.

And there he goes, up the stairs. One thing I like about him is he doesn't give me any shit if I make noise downstairs (cleaning house, doing laundry or even watching Netflix).

So it seems I'm halfway there. I'm a Part Time crazy cat lady.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Sounds perfect, my dear tavalon!

Enjoy your Part Time kitty!

[tavalon]

2. Actually, I now have a question

Part Time came back downstairs, went out the door, I heard a noise and just thought he was goofing off on the dock. Now, he's walked back in, soaked head to toe and looking pissed. I tried to dry him off. He was unimpressed. Now, I have the heat full blast and he's cleaning himself.

Is there any thing else I should do, I mean besides point and laugh?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I would make sure he isn't injured; otherwise I'd do what you're doing.

I wonder what happened?

He does sound pretty sturdy.

[tavalon]

5. He's not injured, just wet and annoyed

It's just weird. He grew up on the dock and I really don't think he's the kind of cat who thinks swimming is cool. But we do have a giant beaver here and I'm wondering if there wasn't a scuffle. I tried to put him near the heater but he just gave me his patented baleful look and went back to the couch to continue cleaning himself.

I know dogs and I know dog-cats (cats who actually act more like dogs) but this is a cat-cat and I just don't have much experience with his type. He seems to know what he's doing and I'm more than a bit grateful that he didn't take his soaking wet self up to my bed.

[easychoice]

6. pointing and laughing is the correct response,lol.

The big dummy fell in,lol.

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. suggestions.

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seems he/she prefers your place - but doesn't trust humans - probably been neglected/abused.

I would stick to Part Time - maybe doesn't like the sound of the old name.

Patience - talk softly, but not too often. Care for it, give it space,

and if it approves of you, one day you will discover it sleeping beside you in the middle of the night. Don't fuss over it, thank the spirits you did the right thing.

I've always had an affinity for animals, and they with me - not quite sure why.

Recently visited a dear friend of mine with many pets, both cats and dogs. From the first night, 2 of the cats would crawl in beside me - if they were where I wanted to move - I'd push them gently out of my way with no complaints/problems - they just snuggled back in after I'd done one of my many tossings of a night.

And the dogs always wanted to lick me or beg for a pat on the head . . .

In the process of moving to a large property (28 acres) - gonna start with a dog, then go from there.

Patience, and good luck.

CC

[tavalon]

8. Well, if he was abused,

it had to be previous owners.

When you live on a dock, it's hard not to know your neighbors and these neighbors are unfailingly sweet and I can't imagine that they would be abusive to him. I mentioned to one of them that he was coming over at night and they said he always wanted to go out at night and would howl if they didn't let him. She said they would try to keep him in at night if it bothered me and I reassured them that it didn't bother me, because it doesn't.

While I have a much higher affinity for dogs and cats that act like dogs, I like all animals and I figure he and I will figure each other out. He's getting more comfortable around me, but he doesn't like to be picked up. Even if it's to be put by a warm heater after a dunk in the lake.

You're right about the patience and learning. Probably more learning on my part than his. He seems to have me thoroughly figured out.

Isn't it possible that a cat would just have a skittish personality, no matter their upbringing?

[easychoice]

4. I have a kitty visitor too

She comes by every night between 11:30 and 1:00.She won't come to me but I can walk over to her and pick her up.When I do she is purring like a chainsaw.When I put her down she rolls around and does her kitty happy dance and gets up and rubs my leg and gets more scratches and pats.She appears to be real healthy,clean as a pin and well cared for.
She will not come near the house or accept food but I am on her "route" for sure.
It's kinda cute,really.