Saturday, January 12, 2008

Cat experiment

I've have been diligently quilting on the When-oh-When and have already reached my last star. I haven't decided how to do the inner squares (stitch-in-the-ditch or lines marked with masking tape) but before I start that I think I'll try a little of the white space and see how the quilting patten comes out. That's the fun part!


As reported earlier, the cats enjoy sitting on this quilt and they vie for rights to a quilted seat. I hardly turn around before one of them is on it. Even Choco is drawn to a corner of the quilt if it sags to the floor but I'm not so happy with a slightly dirty dog sitting on it!

Do you want to try an experiment with your cats? Last night I was watching a TV program about pets and some lady with eight cats said that when she whistles a certain tune all her cats act like they've been given catnip. She demonstrated and suddenly all of her cats came from various areas of her house and they were meowing and rolling around at her feet and looking like they were half-drugged. It was the funniest thing! So this morning I was telling Tetsu about the program and I whistled a few notes (I'm not a very good whistler) and was very surprised when two of my cats meowed back at me. Tried it again and three of them meowed and started weaving around my ankles. Tetsu, who is a much better whistler, gave it a try and we got a very similar reaction as the lady on TV! It must have something to do with the decibels that animals can hear (like dogs react to ambulances). Lemi was batting away at my mouth (to stop me?) and she purposely left my lap to check out what it was that Tetsu was doing. Give it a try! I'd like to know if this is just a Japanese cat phenomenon!

8 comments:

Jan said...

I must tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I live in Oregon and I read all your posts since I discovered you through Planet Textile Threads. I enjoy all the Japanese related posts especially and love hearing about the different things that are done over there. I have some friends who live in Tokyo, the husband is Japanese heritage but born and raised here in Oregon. he married a Chinese woman and now they live in Tokyo. They visited here one summer and it was so much fun to see her reactions to our life here in rural Oregon. Your post today regarding the cats reaction to a whistle is one I have long noticed in my cats since I whistle a lot. Thanks for your posts, keep 'em coming.
Best Regards,
Jan

Kim West said...

My cat just looked at me like I was strange and went back to sleep. The other didn't even come downstairs.

Marilyn R said...

I can't whistle (wish I could) and I don't have a cat, so I guess I can't help you. Sorry! You quilt is looking good!

anne bebbington said...

The quilting is looking lovely Tanya - I think you's have to change the title of that quilt to the 'I'm making good progress' or the 'Now oh now'quilt :o)

Sew Create It - Jane said...

The quilt is looking great!! Those cats look really comfy sitting on it!!

You'll have to make a video of your whistling talents..I haven't got cats...but could try it on the ones I meet on the way to school ;o)

Quilt Pixie said...

my cats have always come when whistled for -- its a great trick to call them when I bring the catnip in and spread it in the kitchen for them ;-)

Anonymous said...

I found your blog and have been "visiting" you for quite a while now. I love it.

We (my husband and I) have two cats and when we whistle one of them comes from wherever she is and complains by jumping on our legs and trying to smack us. As soon as we stop, she stops acting like that.

... and they are not Japanese kitties, they are from Arksansas!

Wish you the best.

The Calico Cat said...

I'm going to have to try that when my whistler starts to whistle...

I can meow EXACTLY like a cat... I have even been smacked for talking back. & I can get my girl to come running when I do my kitten wimper. She must remember it from her time as a mom.