Hi George,I am just a kitten but I want you to know that I am learning fast in a human home. My mother had me in a cardboard box and me and my three other siblings have been romping round this human cottage from the moment we left the box. The two humans here handle us and play with us and pick us up, and generally make much of us. As a result we are learning how live with this other inferior species and how to deal with their behaviour.
But what about other kittens? What about the ones that are born in shelters? How will they learn?
Love
Susie.
Dear Susie,
They won't learn very well, is the answer. Too many rescue places are still putting mothers and kittens into cat pens - often in a "quieter" part of the shelter. So they grow up only meeting a few humans and only for a little part of the day.
So when they get outside into the wide world, it is a struggle for them to know how to train and live with their new humans. It's like meeting an elephant for the first time, or even a whole family of elephants, and having to work out how to make sure these huge animals do what you want..... not easy, Susie.
Luckily you have had a good start in life. Some of the better rescue charities in the UK are beginning to realise that kittens do better if they are fostered in a human home. That way, they learn to live with humans from the start and begin at a very early age to pick up the basics of human training.
Love George.
PS. This blog entry is late due to my secretary, Celia, going away for the day for a "college" reunion. She didn't learn much there when she was an adolescent and her absence from her duties this Saturday has sorely tried my temper.
George, I think Celia deserves to get away. She will return from the reunion, hopefully, energized from all the fun.
ReplyDeleteJust another excuse, George, just another excuse so she won't attend to her duties!
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Fluffy
The trouble with kittens is they have pins in their feet.No scratching should be the first thing they learn in a new home.I had to do a high binkie and land on top of Dotty when she stayed with us.She was much better behaved after that.
ReplyDeleteSusie, you are lucky and you are cute! I know you'll make an excellent teacher for your human pets!
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted on their progress!
Love
Cayenne
I love it! Four kittens training two humans? That's the best revange for feline world :-)
ReplyDeleteDiego
I don't know about scratching - my human didn't like it - he got very upset! Now I'm trying "biting" - he doesn't like this either!
ReplyDeleteSome humans are very fussy!
Vegas
Susie, you are adorable! So much wisdom for such a young age! You are right; it is heartbreaking that so many kitties end up in shelters with little or no chance for a better life. Same for the ones that end up on streets. I wish we all live in a better world.
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Shumba
Crate Training keeps your home environment clean..
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