Seeing double?
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I think my indoor cat “Abby” is trying to make me go crazy. Lately I’ve been seeing her outside one minute and then I go checking for her inside and I finally find her. Other times she will disappear for an hour, then after I look all around everywhere for her and decide to check outside, I swear I see her in my carport or on the roof but she just runs off. Not 5 minutes later I find her inside again acting like nothing ever happened. Could I be seeing things? It feels like she is playing dirty tricks on me.
LB, Vineburg
Dear LB: You are not the first person who has mentioned that they think their kitty cat is trying to make them check into the booby hatch. I have been telling clients forever that cats love having the upper hand on things – but did you ever consider that maybe Abby has a double? Are you sure this is the exact same “indoor” cat you keep seeing? You know all those people who remind us you never see Michael and his sister La Toya Jackson in the same room at the same time? To be sure, I’d suggest a bright, identifying collar on her if she doesn’t already wear one. If she is an escape artist you’ll notice she is wearing that spectacular collar you put on her. Then you can ponder how she is getting out and back in quickly enough to make you think you are losing your marbles. And if it appears that there may be another imposter, perhaps you could think back about how you first got your cat. You didn’t happen to adopt her one day some time ago from outside your house and fail to realize there was another cat that looked just like her, did you? Perhaps little Abner was there all along, waiting in the wings for his chance to also run your life. Maybe you have two cats in cahoots trying to vie for a piece of your heart. Please keep me informed.
Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I’m recently left a 7 years relationship and took both of the dogs. The problem is that I only really bonded with one of them myself, but the dogs really love each other so that is why I took both of them. (Plus, my ex cannot keep them both.) What do you suggest, should we split them up or just keep going like we are?
CB, Novato
Dear CB: Pets suffer from breakups much like children do. It is really unhappy when they have to be separated or have their situations altered because we humans can’t get along. These little doggies are “creatures of habit” and need their routines, which include lots of stability and love. I think that doing what is best for the pets is rule number one. Since you said you are not truly bonded with both pets, I would consider placing them both together in a loving home where they will receive ogles of kisses (yes, I used the word “ogles”). Although it is probably hard for you to even consider giving up the one you’re close with, these mighty little dogs are a matched set and deserve to stay in a loving home together where they will be worshipped, adored, and revered for many years to come. They’ve probably already been through enough changes, to even think you aren’t “bonded” with one now is heartbreaking – for the pet.
Dr. F
