Boo: [Raises a brow as Yeti strolls to meet her in the office] What do you look so smug about?
Yeti: [Matter-of-factly] I’m breaking the Missus in.
Boo: What do you mean?
Yeti: She’s starting to respond to my cues [smiles with eyes half-closed]. You know she already feeds me in bed so I don’t even have to get up…
Boo: [Sticking her tongue out in disgust] boy, do I.
Yeti: Well, the crinkly bag was on the corner of the bed earlier, so instead of settling into “my spot” by the dish when she brought dinner, I curled up on the bag, and gave her a look, and she immediately just “got” it – she even said, “Oh, do we wish to dine on the terrace tonight?” and moved the bowl out of its place to set it in front of me on the bag. I didn’t have to make a squeak. Yes…her training is coming along nicely.
Boo: [Mimicking Yeti’s expressions] And to what do you give credit for this newfound obedience?
Yeti: I kissed up to her earlier letting her brush me while I was on her lap.
Boo: [Shocked] On her lap? You???
Yeti: It wasn’t bad, I must say…very relaxing…kind of lost track of time, really.
Boo: I’ve been telling you…
Yeti: But I won’t let her get too much in the habit. [Studying her claws] Poor thing, she didn’t know what hit her. I have her right where I want her.
Boo: [Rolling her eyes] Um…yeah.
[Meanwhile, in the den]
Mister: What do you look so smug about?
Missus: I think I’m breaking the Yeti in.
Mister: How’s that?
Missus: You know how she loves being brushed…I warmed her up brushing her where she lay snoozing, and then I dragged her over to my lap, and brushed her much more…she didn’t fight much at first, and then she actually fell asleep on my lap!
Mister: [Leaning forward] You have got to be kidding. Her???
Missus: I was shocked. I didn’t dare move for half an hour. Phone rang and I didn’t even move to pick up – till she moved on her own later.
Mister: I wouldn’t either! What a rare treat! Think she’ll do it again?
Missus: Oh, I made sure to do the positive reinforcement thing. I even brought her food over to her on that plastic bag the cats have been playing with. She looked so grateful [smiles while remembering]. Oh…I know how to work her. I am so winning this thing.
Mister: [Grinning] Whatever you say….
