How (fiendishly) clever are cats? Too clever for their own good?
Well, last week we got a large cardboard box delivered to the house (contents irrelevant to this story). I unpacked the contents and left the box, with its crumpled brown paper packing material alone for a few minutes. When I returned I found Sammie 'nesting' in the box - where she's been non-stop for the past couple of days - leaving only for quick trips to the food bowls and litter box - then slam back into the box into her nest. Stella occasionally annoys her and initiates a round of "patty cake" paw boxing - but Stella thinks the box is boring.
So tonight I was checking my email when Sammie runs into the room, screams at the top of her lungs, and runs out. In the past, this was her subtle signal that she wanted to play with the cat dancer toy and wanted me to get it out and make it dance. So tonight I get up, grab the toy and head into the living room - where Sammie has returned to her box. Waving the toy around the floor had no effect. But if I waved it over her head, she would sit up and attempt to grab it - WITHOUT exiting the box. How smart is that? I'm being trained to bring everything to her - while she stays in her box. Smug little princess!
[Nobody tell her the box is going out this weekend ... to the great recycling bin ... listen for frantic wailing]
