
About three weeks ago, a kitten appeared at dinner time with my two adult cats. My cats are outside cats and they brought home this baby. This was a wild cat, and although a kitten, very sly. I was really surprised to see my older cats allow this kitten food and actually seem to show him the ropes. They had successfully run off every other intruder that had ever appeared at their feeding bowls. While this kitten was wild, he was also the most playful animal I had seen in quite some time. He played with rocks, moths, string, acorns, leaves, etc. If it moved he was on it.
Of course, when I first came out on the patio, he ran. Although food was the enticement to the porch, it was play that helped us create a bond. I started with string and as long as I was far enough away he would play. Slowly, we got closer together as he was so involved in play that he forgot I was scarry. Then I brought home some play mice with fur. He went nuts! I'd see him throw them in the air, stand on his hind legs and play with them in his front paws. He started running to the door when I came out to feed them, not to eat but because his playmate was home. And I started running home from work so I could play with the kitten.
At first, I convinced myself that I had to take my turn entertaining the kitten because he wore the older cats out. He would hide and jump out on the older cats, hunging on to their necks. This didn't go over well with the older cats. I would got out in the evening, pull the string ball, throw an acron, make a fake spider with my hand for him to attack. By now, he'd let me touch him. I love how he gets ready to spring and then jumps in the air to land on my hand.
When I'm inside, I can look out on the patio and see this grey bullet that shoots from one thing to another in a joyous abandon. This kitten has brought me so much joy and reminded me how fun it is to just play. Gotta go, just bought the kitten a new toy!
Jann