I couldn't believe the timing of such, for the matter I'd wished to blog about was taking place at that very moment.
Calvin and Maple have been more fearful in recent months, both inside and outside of our home. Sounds and surprises have had them jumping in mid air and hissing as if there were monsters lurking around corners to devour them. At first it was sort of funny, but now that we're weeks into this behavior, we've decided it's really a sad issue for them to be so ill at ease, especially to not want to go outside. When they do, they hover down and growl as they seek to find cover.
Needless to say, there's a bully cat in our neighborhood, and he's attacked both of them. At first we called him "Calvin's brother", because he's orange and white, but he has more white than orange in comparison. Not once, not twice, but at least three times he's attacked Calvin, and Maple only once. Their wounds were found in the same areas on both of their backsides, each proving this cat is quite the attack cat.
As I hopped up, practically throwing my laptop to the floor, I ran to the back door but I didn't see Calvin. I ran to the front door, and opened it to find Calvin curled up in the front flower bed under the Agapanthus. He oft goes there to nap, but it appeared he was rudely awakened, because he was looking up, cowardly, as the bully stood in a fighting stance over him. It appeared he hardly had room to move even if he wanted to. Calvin only 'crowled' (a loud cry and a growl in one) and hissed in an urgent effort to scare him away, but to no avail. From the look of the attack cat, he had no intention of leaving. Had I not intervened, he'd have surely attacked Calvin.
Poor Calvin! The opened door alone was enough to make the bully run away to take cover under the truck in the driveway. Calvin beat feet in the opposite direction and into the house. Although he was inside, he walked around in circles and growled at least 10 minutes longer, swinging his tail in wild motion. He did not wish to be consoled. However, I found it interesting that Maple ran to his side to sniff, as if to say, "I heard what happened. Are you ok?" Calvin seemed to tolerate that well.
I think I'll end this post with thankful thoughts...
Eventually, Calvin settled into his cozy, safe place.
He is now resting in purrfect peace, spoiled as usual.
