Mis-kit

Gidget… is a cat only her owner and those that don't know her well could love. She looks like a "normal" kitty, right? Looks can be deceiving. This small, pudgy tabby with bright green eyes was brought into the world with two large dogs. They are blamed for much of her failure to attach to the world and her bizarre behavior. Her mom abandoned her and she was left on her own. When we adopted her at four months old, we did not know what a wild ride it would become.

When we first brought her home, she almost never slept and refused to come in the house! She hid in out in the garage for nearly a month. When the ice broke and she deemed it safe enough, she ventured into the house. Most nights, as she deems it safe, she will curl up on the couch to sleep.

Can she be domesticated? She does not seem to be able to lick her short hair to keep clean, however, her fur is still very soft. She will attempt to play with a few toys after watching the other cat. It is very entertaining watching her learn how to behave like a cat. She will not let anyone handle her. "Ah, ah, ah, that's not allowed," warning our unsuspecting friends and relatives.

At nearly two years old, she is extremely alert and has average reflexes. She will often try to engage our other cat in play, but this usually ends up in a fight. She will come just far enough, tease you and then run away. If you are lucky, at night she will hop on the couch and beg to be pet. She also comes into our home office and cries to be pet. This is about as normal as she gets. We have changed her name several times, finally deeming “Gidget” as a fitting match to her personality.Don't go feeling sorry for her now! She has a tower she can climb with three levels. On the highest level she becomes Psycho cat. This feline shows her true animal colors when she bats your hair on the last level of her 10 foot tower. “Hissss, spit!” You are amazed at this bizarre show of domination. When you react by screaming, it is very entertaining watching her fall from the tower! Not to worry, she always emerges unharmed. It almost gives you hope, but then minutes later she forgets the entire incident.

I appropriately bought her a "Cat from Hell" mat when I was at a gift shop. Our other cat, her sister also has to eat from it, which hardly seems fair. Her sister frequently gives her looks that warn “keep your distance.” Gidget usually regrets not heeding her sister's admonition and ends up on the bottom of a cat pile, usually getting swatted or bit.

I am by no means a “kitty” Psychologist. But if I had to fathom a guess as to what diagnosis I'd give, it would surely be some type of “Reactive Attachment Disorder” for felines.

There is always hope, as tomorrow is a new day in kitty's world. Where would she be without me?