[ January 23rd, 2012 at 11:07 pm ]

I think I have finally figured out why Molly is scared of the outside world. It’s because she’s a tiny cat, and everything seems so very very big out there.

[ November 26th, 2011 at 9:29 pm ]

Two more of Molly’s favorite spots these days:

1. Perched on the arm of the couch nearest the deck, which is not coincidentally where one can find the best view of the bird feeder.
2. Exactly 4 feet in front of the living-room heater.

[ November 23rd, 2011 at 11:27 pm ]

Molly has truly epic whiskers. It’s as if the whiskers of a much larger cat were grafted onto her cheeks and eyebrows. I measured one at a staggering 5½”. Surely these whiskers must be as much a hindrance as a boon.

It may be that the long whiskers actually explain her skittishness; could they make her extra-sensitive to disturbances and movements nearby?

[ October 11th, 2011 at 4:04 pm ]

Molly has a new pastime. She crams herself into the narrow space between my bedroom door and the closet door, which is a sliding door with a mirrored surface. Then she and her reflection peer through the crack into the hallway. The pair meows softly and awaits the arrival of my skittering fingertips… at which point they attack in unison.

My theory is that Molly is a bit lonesome, and hanging out with her reflection makes her feel like she has an identical-twin best friend. Do I need to adopt a kitten or something?

[ September 5th, 2011 at 10:16 am ]

This morning, Molly was incorrigible. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed, apparently. She wouldn’t sit quietly on my lap, or play with a catnip ball, or let me pat the top of her head. She just perched on the back of my easy chair, staring at me and meowing loudly as I prepared my breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. The meowing continued while I ate. Finally, finishing my meal, I set the plate on the floor, hoping that the eggy remnants would mollify Molls. They did! Now she’s happy and content.

[ July 12th, 2011 at 2:29 pm ]

I do not know if it is possible to properly diagnose a feline mental disorder, although I’m assuming that every veterinarian on the planet would simply scoff at the idea. However, it seems to me that Molly may be an autistic kitty. Consider the following symptoms she exhibits:

1. Unwilling to make eye contact
2. Doesn’t like to be touched
3. Has odd obsessions and preoccupations (e.g. staring at reflected light)
4. Purrs at inappropriate times
5. Relaxes only when picked up and held tightly
6. Unable to socialize with other animals
7. Intense fear of going outside
8. Has abnormal physical tics (e.g. hind legs twitch when she bathes them)

Q.E.D.

[ June 29th, 2011 at 10:07 pm ]

How is it possible for a little cat to lock herself in the bedroom without food or water? Quite a mystery!

[ June 11th, 2011 at 12:42 pm ]

Watching TV. The only thing that has captured Molly’s attention is the required monthly test of the emergency broadcast system. She likes the beeping and the scrolling text, I suppose.

[ April 5th, 2011 at 3:01 pm ]

I was curious about how Twinkie’s passing would affect Molly. Twinkie was a steadfast presence in her life almost from Day 1 (or about Day 21, anyway) — essentially, Molly had never known life sans Twinkle-Toes. Although they outwardly hated each other I think they also kept each other company. After all, they even had rare moments of playfulness together. And the mere knowledge that Twinkie was around must have been some comfort to Molly during the slow afternoons without a human at home.

Of the pair, Molly was always the skittish and standoffish one. So I wondered, would she become more attached to me?; would she come out of her shell? Or would she withdraw further, possibly because hours spent utterly alone in my apartment drove her to madness?

After three months I can confidently answer this question with a non-answer.

In fact, Molly has not changed much at all. Yes, she meows a bit more plaintively and frequently. She meets me at the door when I get home from work, and she spends most of every night slumbering at the foot of my bed. But she hasn’t experienced any profound personality shifts. She’s just as skittish and standoffish as usual. She doesn’t seem to go insane if I’m not home for a couple of days. She’s just Molly! Luckily, I liked her as she was, so I’m glad she hasn’t taken the change too badly. I’m also glad that I don’t feel I need to add another cat to my household to be her companion. Life is pretty good for us — just the two of us.

[ January 18th, 2011 at 10:55 pm ]