This is sort of writing related, a little funny and kind of weird:
I just got an indoor cat. I once lived in the country, so most of the others I had in my childhood were outdoor cats. I'm familiar with cats and their nature, but it seems that indoor cats (at least this one) are a little different.
Please note - she is a "mature" cat, not a kitten.
Problem is when I open the office door to go and write, she races me to the desk and jumps on the keyboard. She is very hesitant to move. I'm talking low growling hesitant. So far, I have only been successful in coaxing her away with her jingle ball. Also, if someone else leaves the office door open, I'll find her on the keyboard asleep. ALWAYS.
So, I'm trying to figure out why in the world she is so drawn to the keyboard. Is she my muse trying to draw my attention to it more often? I would like to think so.
She really does not do anything else like this, at any other times.
Do any of you have problems with your cats (pets) when you try to write?
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
LOL, that's a cat for you.
My cats LOVE my keyboards. If I walk away I come back and found they have tried to help me by adding a paragraph that looks something like this:
My cats like to be where I am, which is often in my study. They want attention and, I think, they want to be the big cat of the house by making everything their own...I've claimed the keyboard as mine and they want it.
My suggestion: Get a keyboard tray that slides in and out so that when you're not at your desk your keyboard is not accessible to your cat. Also, punish her in some way for getting on your desk or even in your office. Water bottles are great for most cats. I have one in every room fo the house so I can reach it easily. (My cats are trouble makers.)
Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
Saranwrap is also a deterrant for most cats. They don't like the way it feels, so you cover the problem areas with saranwrap and eventually they lose interest.
My cat, Marlowe, likes to sit in my lap with his paws on the keyboard as if he's writing too. I've finally convinced him that he only needs the edge of the keyboard. Now if I could just break him of trying to wash my hands while I type.
Posted by NewsBys (Member # 1950) on :
Good ideas Christine. I think you put your finger on both my problems. Problem 1: I actually have one of those trays but am not disciplined enough to always slide it in. Problem 2: Actually, I had never really thought about punishing her. Feels kind of weird to "train" a cat, aside from litter box training, which she thankfully took too immediately. Cats act so superior. She is a sweet cat, but very haughty. Kind of strange for a stray. Easy to see why cats are characters of myth and religion.
Posted by NewsBys (Member # 1950) on :
Saranwrap, that's an idea, and it'll keep the keyboard dust-free.
Did you by any chance name him after Phillip Marlowe?
[This message has been edited by NewsBys (edited March 07, 2005).]
Posted by Isaiah13 (Member # 2283) on :
My cat pretty much ignores me entirely until I start writing, at which point she jumps into my lap and demands attention.
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
We just got a three month old kitten a few weeks ago, very attention hungry. My experience too is with cats confined to the outdoors, never in an apartment.
It likes to hop up on the desk and swat at the screen as the cursor moves...
Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
Nope. Christopher Marlow, who went by Kit. So I thought I was being very clever with Kitten Marlowe, but no one ever gets it.
Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :
No problems with the cats, but my boys also want my attention when I am writing. Yesterday I caught my younger one, JeanPierre just as he was introducing the dog's tail to the shredder. It was his way of showing that he wanted attention.
Strangely enough, the dog no longer comes by when I'm at the computer. Go figure.
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
You cat reads Dilbert? When my cat tries to step on my keyboard I grab his paws. If he get's real insain I put him on my shoulder so he can bite my hair. Cats also don't like the smell of citrus so you might get an air freshener. Or you could buy a new keyboard and give the old one up to her.
Posted by MrClean (Member # 1958) on :
In a previous thread I mentioned a book I had about cats. It had some suggestions about cats that would remedie any difficulty that you might be having. 101 things to do with a....(ONLY KIDDING!) some of my best friends are cats.
