Trying to Win Scooter’s Love
Cats have a reputation for being aloof and ungenerous with their affection. That has never been true of my cats until now. They have always fought for my lap and begged for my attention. Up until recently, my cats always thought I was the greatest thing since canned cat food. But not anymore. My youngest cat, Scooter, just barely likes me.
At first, I tried to win his love by petting him, scratching his neck — which he does seem to like — and giving him all kinds of affection. But I don’t think that’s the key to Scooter’s heart.
Scooter wants to play.
Specifically, Scooter really likes it when I play with him in his tunnel. He goes in the box, and I shake it and yell, “Shenanigans!” Then he slips from the box to the tunnel. I shake the tunnel vigorously, and he rolls over and attacks the fabric.
I have to be careful because Scooter plays rough. If he bites me through the tunnel, it will hurt. Recently, we played through a curtain — he was on one side and I was on the other, poking at the curtain with my hand. Big mistake. He threw himself at the curtain, grabbed my hand through the fabric, and bit the crap out of me.
His tendency to play too rough is why most of the other cats don’t like him. He seems to be getting along better with Sweet Zombie (who also plays too rough). He and Fat Zombie still fight occasionally, although the fights are less frequent and less intense. The other cats want Scooter to stay away.
What I really want, of course, is for Scooter to seek me out for affection. I want him to sit on my lap or snuggle up next to me while I sleep. One day, I took a nap and he stretched out across my stomach for a while. Best. Day. Ever. But he hasn’t done it since. Mostly, if he initiates any kind of interaction, it’s always play. Sometimes he’ll hide under a bed or behind a curtain and jump out at me as I walk by. I always make a big deal out of what a good boy he is when he initiates play. The main thing I don’t want him to ever do is ignore me.
I’m hoping, if I keep engaging in positive interactions — even ones that occasionally leave scratches on my hands — eventually, Scooter will decide that I’m his very best friend.
