Who Is The New Alpha At The Patio?

As I’ve written a few days ago, hierarchy in the cat fraternity is fluid and subject to change.

Vincent used to be the alpha, but he is defeated now.

Ginger has been slowly rising to the pinnacle. And I think it has everything to do with how much attention we (the humans) give them.

Humans’ attention = Self-confidence and self-esteem in cats

I think that’s how it works with cats. At least, with ours.

So, of course Ginger has been getting a lot of attention. First, it’s his ever-so-adorable looks, and second, he’s the official sewing cat. Hence, what’s not to like about Ginger? What’s not to love about him?

Vincent, on the other hand, has a bad habit of “climbing on top of your head” or “beri betis hendak paha”. And to establish his alpha status, he took to spraying in the house, so he had to be confined to the porch. That practically dampened all his hopes of maintaining his alpha status.

The fact that Ginger is the new alpha was evident yesterday.

Now, I don’t know if this is coincidental or what, but a few days ago, I was contemplating adopting a puppy. We all miss the companionship of a dog and I thought maybe, just maybe, all the cats would accept a little puppy and we’ll let the puppy grow up in the company of the cats. Uncle Bobby brought all the cats up, so maybe all the cats can now bring up a little puppy? That’ll be fun, wouldn’t it?

Of course the fact remains that if we do adopt a puppy, will I live for another 15 years to see the puppy through? I don’t really know, of course. So, that had to be seriously considered.

And in the course of discussing if we should adopt a puppy, I think the vibes reached Ginger and he wanted us to know how he felt.

You guessed it right. Of course it’s a “NO” from Ginger.

In fact, the vibes reached Indy too, and it’s also a “NO” from Indy.

If you know your cats well enough, you can hear them.

Do you remember when I fostered the Blueys, Indy left home (in the old neighbourhood)? I practically had to beg the rescuer to find a home for the Blueys and when that failed, one of our readers adopted the Blueys, just in the nick of time for me to pacify Indy and get him to come home. Indy had practically packed his bags and left home.

Indy is very, very possessive.

Indy is still very possessive, but at least he is confined now and he cannot “leave home” (I hope!).

But little did I know that Ginger is just as possessive as Indy now.

So, yesterday afternoon, we were lounging at the patio and Vincent came and rubbed himself all over my legs. With Vincent, one pat on the head means he can jump up so he did that and sat on my lap.

Ginger walked towards Vincent and wasn’t quite happy about this but he kept his cool.

That night, Ginger “beat up” Vincent.

Yes, it was last night. We heard terrible war-cries in the garden. It was Ginger fighting with Vincent and fur flew.

I tried to break them up and Ginger continued chasing poor Vincent until there was nowhere for the latter to hide anymore. Ginger pursued Vincent under all the cars and even splashing water did not deter his “warrior” spirit spurred on by intense jealousy.

Finally, Vincent had nowhere to go except “upwards” so he fled to the neighbour’s roof. Ginger gave chase and to our horror, both cats were on the neighbour’s roof, ready to fight it out.

I took a chance and used the water-spray to break up the fight. Luckily the spray was powerful to reach the warring cats on the roof, so a big fight (with possible roof tiles flying and a trip to the vet’s with emergency charges) was averted.

Vincent fled. And Ginger remained on the roof, standing his ground.

He later sat on the pillar, on full vigilance.

Tried as we did to pacify him, he refused to come back into the house.

To make his point loud and clear, he refused to even look at me.

It was only at 11.15pm that Ginger finally returned to the kitchen.

Yes, boss. Yes. We hear you, Ginger. Sorry, boss.

All animals bully me. I’m hopeless. I know.

This morning, all was well. Phew!

Look at the body language. Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?

So I guess my plans of adopting a puppy is out…

Source: https://myanimalcare.org/2015/06/18/who-is-the-new-alpha-at-..

Tweet

AnimalCare

AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

More Articles   |   Pets For Adoption   |   Website