Rascal and Rocco love when I read!
Though I have pet allergies, and often try to avoid pet dander and pet hair, the cats are quite demanding when I’m attempting to read good books! Even if I’m reading books about cats, whether or not I think it’s a good read is entirely unimportant to these two cute kitties. They are as obnoxious and downright demanding as ever.
Maybe I should try to hide in a closet so I can read in peace without my cat allergies or even dog allergies being affected when my pets close in and demand affection. Not to mention trying to see the book with an animal in front of it on my lap. Perhaps I’ll look into a how to train your cat book. Though I have a feeling that would be shredded when I’m not looking. Accidentally of course.
Reading: the cats think I do it purely for their pleasure.
When I’m engrossed in a good book, I’m sitting on the couch or lying in bed longer, so naturally, I make a much better pillow than my usual self who’s constantly moving around.
The boys don’t miss this opportunity to climb up, over, on, and around me. Often I’m curled up in a ball, with my knees up, however this position doesn’t suit them. In fact, they make it painfully clear that it’s completely unacceptable! Apparently only they are allowed to lounge in this position.
One, or sometimes even both, will squeeze in between my face and the book I’m holding and stand there on my knees until I move. If I don’t, they’ll turn casually and I get a butt in my face!
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| yep, those are Rascal’s claws, about to go into my leg! |
I may push it away and continue trying to read, but they won’t be ignored. Eventually they come right to the point, literally, and bring out the claws.
Yes, with a sudden “yelp” from me, I feel claws pressing into my legs! I think I’m still supposed to believe this is a loving (kneading) gesture. But, I know with these boys it means- move so I’m comfortable now or I’ll kill you.
And then there’s the rubbing against the book itself.
With a nice hard cover, such as the this book reviewed, I have this wonderful thing in my hand at the perfect height for head scratching. Oh, those corners are lovely!
Meanwhile, I’m trying to read the words that are bouncing around on the book I’m desperately trying to
hold still, while a cats head is rubbing this corner, then that, trying to get just the right spot! They never can seem to get that spot because
they quickly switch to trying to get my hands to scratch them.
hold still, while a cats head is rubbing this corner, then that, trying to get just the right spot! They never can seem to get that spot because
they quickly switch to trying to get my hands to scratch them.
The hand bumping doesn’t make holding the book still for actual reading, any easier. It’s much worse because these two are so demanding! They don’t give up easy, only try harder and are more forceful in getting their way. As before, the claws come out if I don’t comply.
I don’t know why I always fight it. I never win, I always end up moving for them. They pile into my lap, with much pushing and shoving, turning in circles, switching sides, climbing over the other, stretching out a leg,… Just when I think they are done one gets up and climbs over, shoving his brother to get on the other side, or just lying directly on top of him, causing the other to shift his position. I sigh and wait for them to finish, ignoring my own discomfort, which I know is of no importance, until they are both comfortable and satisfied.
I’d be more willing to immediately let them into my lap, where I can’t resist petting them, making the cat hair flutter up, off of them and into my face, settling all over me, imbedding itself into my clothes,…. if I wasn’t allergic. Once I’ve petted, I try to remember not to touch my face until I’ve washed my hands, or everyone’s comfort is all over.
Then I get glared at for hours as if it was entirely my fault that I ruined the snuggles with my sneezing and jumping up to stop my red puffy, teary eyes and nose from dripping.
If only I’d remember to use these pet allergy wipes, they really do help keep the cat hair down and dander (which is what I’m really allergic to), at bay. Or if I could ever reach them in dire times as these, when I’m weighted down by large cats and can barely move! They always end up just out of reach!
By the time everyone is comfortably settled, the cats are beginning to doze, and I can finally read in relative peace, it’s either time for me to get up to do something, often a child is calling me, or my legs have gone to sleep!
This was a horrifying read. 🙂 I am so firmly a dog person. One smack on the nose and they 'learn'.
Ah, but where's the adventure in that? Living without fear of tooth and claw? I love dogs, but cat's win in personality.
Hi Leah thanks for featuring Frankie. He's getting camera shy as you'll see in todays pic's hiding his face in conors arm. I've posted both buttons on my blog and will put note on fb and twitter for the party anything to help out
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing and such a pleasure meeting Frankie. Maybe fame has overwhelmed him for the time being. 😉
Reading really does sound like quite the adventure for you! Do those wipes help for allergies? The head peep mostly reads on an ereader because she can hold it up and turn pages one-handed while keeping it clear of cat snuggling, kneading, and other related activities.
They really do, it seems to me they dampen the fur just a bit, enough to keep the hair and dander from flying all over and irritating my pour nose! I really should use them more often! And I need to get me an ereader!