Japan is hot and muggy. I find it difficult to get my breath when going for a walk with Choco. And my sandals chaff at my feet from the moisture in the air. We are using electric fans and even the air conditioner in the evenings (shame on us! Most of Japan is trying to save energy. The stores are dark!) As usual I was greeted by mold on my return. And ants. And cat pee. Oh so pleasant a welcoming!
But the cats are happy to see me. Toi and Patora are living in Tetsu's cat house where they have been throughout the month I've been gone. They actually don't seem to mind. They were never very people oriented anyway. I doubt that we can keep them there during the winter months though...
The other four have the run of the house but even that relaxing situation (no Toi bullying them) hasn't rid them of their spraying problems. They definitely are trying to send messages. The first night I went to bed, some cat had peed on my newly washed pillow... Think they are angry at me for leaving them? And some cat made a point to throw up on the suitcase that I was unpacking too. Sigh...
Choco has been happy to get longer morning walks with me. Tetsu did the minimum while I was gone (he was too busy cleaning up after cats!) I have bought her a new Gentle Leader collar which is supposed to help in training dogs to walk quietly. I just watched the accompanying DVD and will try it out this afternoon. Wish us luck!
So life is back to cleaning and cooking and animal care. I have yet to do more than step into my sewing room. Maybe when I get a bit more of the translating job under my belt.
It is nice to be home and appreciated by Tetsu. It is nice to have a kitty sitting on my lap again.
10 comments:
The kitties are just getting even with you for leaving for so long, lol...I hope you're able to translate with ease Tanya, so you can get back to your sewing!
Welcome home. The adjustment is always different from what we think it will be while away thinking of going home. Doesn't sound like it makes sense, but it does. ;)
I would have just cried, if I had been greated with all that! Oh yes, that is what I used to do when I came home from a week at my son's.
I like Tetsu's new mustache. I am sure you are both very glad to be together again.
theres no place like home
What? No dead house plants? It seems you know which cats are not committing depredations. Maybe you should rotate the cat-house occupants until the culprit is found.
Don't be surprised if choco gives you a hard time with the gentle leader. It will take a while for her to get used to it. don't give up. I can't imagine walking our dog without it. No more pulling and no choking herself. Stay strong and keep using it.
I watched some videos on training a dog, and what they said was to stop walking and tell the dog to sit every time he pulled on the leash. If you do it consistently (it takes a lot of sits and patience the first day), then he figures out that when he pulls he has to sit and can't walk like he wants. It worked for us. You are supposed to do that even when he walks in front of you instead of heeling beside you, but I think that is too much.
Oh yes, Tanya-san! I have 5 cats now and have had cats (and dogs) most of my life. They can be very demonstrative of their displeasure and very creative in how they express it!
Cats belong outside. They come in a few hours and then back outside.
Glad you are home safe. Oh those darn cats! Can't they behave?
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