I dig it
Dear Patches,
Every year, usually during spring, my mom spends some time in the garden. She digs holes in the ground, places plants in the holes and then covers them with soil. It looks like so much fun, and I cannot help myself… I also want to play that game. So, when mom moves away, I copy her actions. I dig a hole where the plant is, pull it out with my mouth, play with it a bit and then try to put it back in the hole.
Digging out the plants is so much fun – no wonder mom does it so often. But she gets so frustrated with me when I do it, and then she takes me inside and she plays alone outside. Why doesn’t she want me to have fun too?
Destructive Dexter
Patches: Oh my, Dexter – no wonder your mom is not impressed with your behaviour. You obviously destroyed her plants, which most probably cost a small fortune. You owe your mom A LOT of hugs to say how sorry you are. You obviously enjoy digging holes – most dogs do – but rather go and dig in your own digging patch. Ask you mom to set aside a section of the garden just for you, where she can bury interesting items for you to discover. Then you can dig there to your heart’s content, without breaking your mom’s heart by destroying her plants.
Aquaphobia
Dear Patches,
Oh my shattered little kitten nerves! You have to help me! The other day, my dad decided that it was time for me to have a bath. Can you imagine my delicate kitten fur being drenched in water? I didn’t care that the water was ‘the ideal temperature’, or that the shampoo was ‘specially formulated for cats’. Nor did I mind that my fur was a bit dirty. I HATE water. My claws jumped into action – ready for self-defence; I hissed and bit where I could… But nothing helped. What’s the deal with bathing cats? How can I stop him from ever trying again?
Traumatised Tommy
Patches: That sounds like a terrible ordeal for any cat to go through. You poor thing! Most cats hate water – mainly because their fur soaks up the water, making them feel heavier. I think your owner just wanted to help you, but let’s hope that this was a one-off event. To prevent your dad from trying to bath you again, make sure that your fur is always clean, by grooming yourself regularly. Good luck, Tommy!
