I Speak Fluent Dog, Fluent Cat...Not So Much

I speak dog. I speak dog fluently. Man, I'm practically the "Dog Whisperer"! My dog Sweetie can convey a multitude of "words" with her eyes,mouth,ears, and body contortions. She knows I speak dog and we talk .

 For instance, one has only to observe her ears, eyes, mouth, and tail when our new kitten climbs up on the back of the couch.
I know by the down turn of her mouth and tail, and the accusing look in her eyes that she is trying to convey some thing like this......"Mama...look at that cat. I can't do that. You won't let me. But the cat is UP THERE. I don't get it. AND I'M NOT Happy,cuz it ain't right........uh..may I get up there?"

I say "No,you can not." With her tail curled under her, she shuffles to her pout spot under the coffee table, and shoots me a woeful look, and licks herself.I know that she just told me, " Oh I get it now. Cat can but I can't.That is not right,Mama!" Three minutes later, she is telling me with all she has that I am adored by her, and she forgives me.

My dog speaks "Mama and those people", so we get along wonderfully. I say,"Sweetie.Want a treat?" She goes to the kitchen faster than the speed of a locomotive. At times when I tell her something,she disagrees. She may protest with her body,eyes, and moans. If I insist, she does it,and waits for praise and wags her tail estatically. All is well.

Right now , my little kitten is purring loudly nestled with her head under my neck while I sit in my recliner attempting to type. It was her idea, and she does this often ..... including kisses to my nose, so I know she is content.

Now, granted,this is my first kitten since I was five. (We were dog people back then....) We are almost to week three. It has been bliss until Saturday. It's like she hit the equivalent to the human terrible twos, and what's with this new swagger in her walk?

 I always let her (Zoey) out with Sweetie, as she will only go outside if  Sweetie does.Starting Saturday, she won't come back in when I call them.She will come to the steps, watch Sweetie go in, and then she leaves. I can't coax her in with sweet talk. She will return and scratch at the door. When I open the door, she goes back down the steps, and ignores all of my "Kitty,Kitty,Kitty, come here. ZoHoHoh-eeeeeeee."

Eventually,at some point ,I get lucky when I open the door. At her discretion, she will slink in with this new walk she has aquired, and disdainfully walk past me and visit her favorite sunny spot or high place. I praise her for coming in, but I can see it "does not compute".I THINK, I'm getting a "must you prattle to me now?" look.....I dunno...

At other times, she will come in immediately and hang out with Sweetie. Or,for no reason ,she will come sit with me without being called. I think I am NOT to speak, and interrupt her quiet time.I dunno. I speak dog fluently. Speak cat....not so much.....sigh...

SWEETIE (9 pounds) ZOEY (light as feather)