Yeti: Today is something called “Mother’s Day”. Our Mister brought one of those little heavy paper card things and grabbed our paws, stuck them into something wet, pressed them on it, and washed them off. Ugh, give me back my paw! It was most unpleasant – but it was over with pretty quickly. Then he gave it to Missus and she cooed and smiled and hugged and kissed him – and mauled us. It was a revolting display.
Boo: I like the attention! I’ve cuddled with her a lot today, even more than normal.
Yeti: You’re an attention addict.
Boo: No, I know how to be thankful. She’s a good mom…for a human.
Yeti: I probably wouldn’t mind it so much if they hadn’t taken me away from my own mother. But my mother told me it would happen to all of us kittens. I guess, since I’ve seen it happen to others, I did expect it – just not right then. To be fair, Mister and Missus were very enthusiastic, and were gentle with me. They seemed very proud of the seven ribbons I had won that day, and put them on display – as they should. [Looks at Peekaboo] Still, you were the worst surprise of the day when we got “home”.
Boo: Hey, you were the bad surprise. I wasn’t thrilled to share them with you. You don’t even appreciate them. I had them all to myself before you showed up! [Rethinks and smoothes her fur] When they got me at the shelter I had no mother, but that didn’t stop me from developing my mothering instincts with my cellmate then – or later with you. And you don’t even appreciate me when I bathe the back of your head where you can’t reach. You don’t reciprocate.
Yeti: Boo-hoo. I didn’t ask you to. [Winks]
Boo: That’s right. Don’t appreciate anybody! Don’t love anyone back.
Yeti: I show my appreciation by behaving. And you act up to get attention. You’re bad.
Boo: I’m not bad; I’m really good. I just do bad things [grimacing]. I don’t mean to. You know, right now you actually sound a little defensive of Missus and Mister.
Yeti: I simply like to see justice served. And I’m sorry if I judged you harshly.
Boo: That’s okay; I earn it. But really [teasing] – you like them and you know it!
Yeti: Meh, the food is good…and the brushing…and they’re pretty clean…for humans.
Boo: And they give us lots of toys! For no occasion at all!
Yeti: But…you just play with the packaging.
Boo: So do you!
Yeti: Whatever. It entertains the Missus well enough. Hope that makes her day.
Boo: You could take it a step further….
Yeti: You don’t mean…[face-paw]
Boo: Yes, I do mean: cuddle with her – voluntarily – without struggling.
Yeti: [Sighs dramatically] They don’t call me “The Elusive Yeti” for nothing.
Boo: If you can’t think of it any other way, consider that it’ll thrill her for at least a week. Although it might help you put things in perspective if you remember not just how she feeds and cleans after us, but also how good she is at brushing you, how she spoils you rotten all the time, and how she drops whatever she’s doing anytime you want something. You take her for granted!
Yeti: [Stretching] She does work magic with that brush. She knows just the right spot under my chin to scratch…she’s an expert belly-rubber…[eyes half closed]…she doesn’t get any food but my favorite…she keeps me warm with her under the covers in winter…anytime I play with her she acts like it’s the best thing ever, and her voice is so happy and soothing then….
Boo: Good – you’re in the zone now. Now, there she is. Do something about it. Something cute!!!
Yeti: Here goes….
