Is Molly an Adrenaline Junkie?
 

I try to be careful about attributing human emotions to dogs and cats
behavior. But Molly's latest behavior is a new one to me. Or I have an
overactive imagination.

Now I know cats will engage in dangerous behavior. I just never thought
they did it intentionally. We once had a feral named Maggie who liked to
walk along the fence tops in the neighborhood. She also had pretty poor
balance for a cat. Her sky walking really got the neighborhood dogs going
and it didn't end well. But I don't believe she connected fence walking
with getting hurt.

One of Molly's things she has always liked is climbing up an old Ash tree in
the back yard. All the cats go up that tree at one time or another, and it
isn't difficult to get back down. Even from quite high up. Most of our
cats have been taunted into climbing up their by blue jays.

For several years its been normal to see Molly come into the back yard, head
for the tree at a dead run and dash up the side.

But it seems she has something in common with the guy who came up with the
first amusement park ride. Its more fun with a dash of safe "danger". I
spend a lot of time out in the yard when the weather is nice. Lately I've
noticed that when Molly makes a dash for the tree, she is usually being
chased. Most often my Kayla, but sometimes by Camille, (the rat that thinks
its a Chihuahua) or even by Jake.

Further observation shows that it isn't just her running that gets them to
chase her. She deliberately picks on one of them to get them warmed up. I
guess running up the tree is more fun if you pretend you are running for
your life!

Jo

Is Molly an Adrenaline Junkie?
 

jofirey wrote:

Further observation shows that it isn't just her running that gets them to
chase her. She deliberately picks on one of them to get them warmed up. I
guess running up the tree is more fun if you pretend you are running for
your life!

I don't know the answer, Jo, but Miranda is just the same. On the
island, she will tease the big boys (Kasper, Linus) and get them to
chase her. Then she will scream the most blood-curdling screams as she
runs away. If the chaser gives up the chase, she will go back and tease
him again.

One day I was inside my shack, reading, when I heard her scream outside.
She came dashing in, then very excitedly ran from one window to another
and looked outside. Then she dashed back outside, and a moment later, I
heard her scream bloody murder again. I used to get upset when I heard
her scream, but I'm convinced now that it's just a game to her (she's
never had any injuries).

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

Is Molly an Adrenaline Junkie?
 

"Marina" wrote in message
...
jofirey wrote:

Further observation shows that it isn't just her running that gets them
to chase her. She deliberately picks on one of them to get them warmed
up. I guess running up the tree is more fun if you pretend you are
running for your life!

I don't know the answer, Jo, but Miranda is just the same. On the island,
she will tease the big boys (Kasper, Linus) and get them to chase her.
Then she will scream the most blood-curdling screams as she runs away. If
the chaser gives up the chase, she will go back and tease him again.

One day I was inside my shack, reading, when I heard her scream outside.
She came dashing in, then very excitedly ran from one window to another
and looked outside. Then she dashed back outside, and a moment later, I
heard her scream bloody murder again. I used to get upset when I heard her
scream, but I'm convinced now that it's just a game to her (she's never
had any injuries).


I think "chase" is just some cats' idea of play. It certainly was my tiny
Mimi's. Every night she had to be chased up and down the stairs.
Theresa

Is Molly an Adrenaline Junkie?
 

"Marina" wrote in message
...
jofirey wrote:

Further observation shows that it isn't just her running that gets them
to chase her. She deliberately picks on one of them to get them warmed
up. I guess running up the tree is more fun if you pretend you are
running for your life!

I don't know the answer, Jo, but Miranda is just the same. On the island,
she will tease the big boys (Kasper, Linus) and get them to chase her.
Then she will scream the most blood-curdling screams as she runs away. If
the chaser gives up the chase, she will go back and tease him again.

One day I was inside my shack, reading, when I heard her scream outside.
She came dashing in, then very excitedly ran from one window to another
and looked outside. Then she dashed back outside, and a moment later, I
heard her scream bloody murder again. I used to get upset when I heard her
scream, but I'm convinced now that it's just a game to her (she's never
had any injuries).


I remember now you talking about Miranda doing that. Molly is a tiny little
cat too. She seems to need that outside boost to get the zoomies going
good.

Jo