Oskar and Roy

Sometimes you just know.

Currently being midway through my fifth of nine cat lives, I have acquired useful knowledge about human behavior as it pertains to my species. There are those who adore us felines, those who tolerate us and those who absolutely do not want any contact with us. I have learned to respond accordingly to each type. The adoring type might trigger a soft purring response and a gentle body rub. The indifferent humans mostly get ignored. Those who are scornful of me could possibly receive my most undesirable behavior in return!

Hazel, my adoptive and loving human, is definitely one of the adoring ones. We live in a senior apartment building. Hazel dotes on me in every way possible. She makes sure my meals are the most delectable and my sleeping accommodations are the most comfortable; although I am prone to taking a few naps each day wherever I happen to plant myself.  Occasionally she lets me out into our hallway where I lounge by our door and observe our elderly neighbors as they stroll by. Some smile at me and speak softly; others just ignore me. I treat them all alike…I just stare at them.

Recently, a new couple, Roy and Sally, moved in across the hall from us. The very first time I encountered Roy, my inner cat sense kicked in and I knew we weren’t going to hit it off. He came out of his apartment, spotted me, then immediately gave me the most negative and sour look he could muster up. I also heard him murmur, “dang cat”. So, of course I needed to respond accordingly. I promptly sprang up on all fours, hunched my body, showed my fangs and hissed the loudest ‘skeech’ at him that I could conjure up; which we all know is cat speak for “you better watch out”!  Even though I probably caught him off guard by my ferocious behavior, he didn’t seem to be too bothered by it all. I did notice, as he cautiously continued down the hallway, that he did turn and glance back at me several times. His slow pace enabled me to observe him for a few minutes.  At that point, I did not consider him to be a major threat to my peaceful existence in the building. Nevertheless, I would remain alert during any future sightings.

Our next ‘meet and greet’ occurred a few days later. While I was having one of my lounging sessions by my door, I watched him and Sally emerge from their apartment. This was my first time seeing Sally. Roy immediately points to me and says to her, “Watch out for that cat, he is a mean creature.” Well, it’s been a while since Hazel took me to the groomer. So, I must admit, I probably looked somewhat menacing with my bushy, unruly fur and longer than necessary claws. The fearful look from Sally troubled me. I figured Roy had managed effectively to make Sally skeptical of me also. I silently stared at Sally.  I didn’t want to cause her any further distress.  I figured she had enough to deal with, being married to Roy.

As the days passed, Roy and I continued to have our differences. We never took it to any physical confrontation. I guess we both figured the glaring and hissing was adequate to get our point across to each other.

One afternoon I decided to venture down toward the end of our hallway. Unfortunately, Roy happened to appear from the opposite direction.  As he got closer, I knew he was definitely not happy to see me wandering the hallway. I immediately crept as close to my side of the wall as possible. He, in turn, put as much distance between us as he could. In our best interests, we did not make eye contact and calmly strolled in our opposite directions.

After that experience I decided it might be best for my welfare if I stayed out of the hallway for a while. It was a couple weeks before I begged Hazel to let me out.  Of course, Roy happened along and saw me. I could tell he was surprised that I was out again. He probably thought Hazel had grounded me for straying down the hallway. 

One night, sometime later, I decided to creep across the hall to lay by Roy’s door. I knew it might be risky for me but I needed a little adventure. I figured Roy was probably dozing in his easy chair for the evening.  From what I could hear, he and Sally had other humans for company. My ears perked up when I heard Roy mention to his visitors that there was a bothersome cat in the building.  He told them about my previous escapade down the hallway and my regular hissing routine.  He complained that I should not be allowed outside my apartment without Hazel.  He intended to speak to the management.

“Oh no!” I needed to act fast before my limited freedom was pulled out from under me!

I had a plan.

Using my feline uniqueness, I was able to convey to Hazel that a trip to the groomer should be scheduled ASAP!  I was so happy to hear Hazel talking on the phone making the arrangements. Off we went a couple days later for the transformation. Later, when we arrived home, I was able to catch a good glimpse of myself in the tall floor mirror. I could hardly believe it was me! I was a new version of myself, with shiny black fur and perfectly trimmed nails. I was the most handsome tomcat! 

Phase two of my plan would be initiated the next time Roy and I saw each other.  It happened a few days later while I was quietly enjoying my leisure time outside my door. Roy slowly entered the hallway from his apartment and gave me his usual look of dismay.  I then proceeded to turn on the charm. I quickly fluttered my eyes and gently uttered the sweetest meows that had ever been emitted from the depths of my soul! Well, Roy just stopped and looked at me with the most puzzled expression.  Then, believe it or not, he cracked the slightest smile!  “Will wonders never cease, we both thought.”

A few days later, I heard him say to another neighbor as they walked by, “Oskar isn’t so bad after all, as cats go.” I knew in that moment we had accomplished a peaceful coexistence.