When I picked her up, I was thrilled to have everyone in the office tell me what a lovely cat she is. This is a new vet, so they are just getting to know my feline girls. I happen to think my kitties are wonderful and appreciate hearing that the people who take care of their medical needs think so, too. So it was wonderful walking into the office to pick Freya up and have everyone from the receptionist to the vet tech to the vet tell me that she is such a sweet and wonderful kitty.
Why, yes, I am a sweet and beautiful princess.
I happen to agree that Freya is perfection in feline form. She is a sweet, beautiful, clever kitty with a sparkling personality wherever she is. It's just that how she demonstrates these qualities differs depending on whether she's at home or at the vet's. Let's take a look at how they are different:
Picking up Freya at home: This can go one of three ways. (1) The "best" is if you pick her up and she is relatively agreeable. She likes to be held so she can put her paws on your shoulder. You may pet her for 3 or 4 seconds before she decides she has had enough. Put her down instantly or you'll be sorry. (2) You pick her up, but she prefers not to be held. You are immediately scratched or bitten. (3) You pick her up and she prefers not to be held. Though you also prefer not to hold her, you need to because she has to get in the cat carrier or be otherwise confined. Grab Freya and with one hand hold the back feet and with the other hand hold the front paws. There is an art to this, as you need to hold her in such a way that she can't get free AND can't bite you to force you to release a hand. Only The Hubby has managed to master this hold so, lucky him, he gets the job of putting her in the carrier.
Picking up Freya at the vet's: Pick up Freya and put her on the table.
Clipping Freya's nails at home: The Hubby first has to pick up Freya with the third option mentioned above and transport her somewhere suitable. He then puts her down and straddles her so she can't move. Once immobilized, he takes a paw and quickly clips the nails on that paw. Then he moves on to the next. The entire time, her tail is flashing back and forth and her eyes are black. This is not good. He does the front paws, but never bothers with the back. Then, this is important: he gets up and jumps back so he is out of immediate scratching range. This must be done quickly because once she is released, Freya will spin around on and attack whoever is responsible for the indignity. The adults of the house have somewhat mastered this evasive maneuver. I say "somewhat" because sometimes we are not fast enough and it ain't pretty at all.
Clipping Freya's nails at the vet's: Take paw and clip. Take other paw and clip. Take back foot and clip. Take other back foot and clip.
Petting Freya at home: This can be tricky and entirely depends on her mood. If she comes up to you and sits on your lap, then it is alright to pet her until you notice any shift in mood, however subtle. If she has not approached her, but you have decided that you would like to pet her, then you do so at your own risk. She may either allow you a maximum of 5 pets before she is D.O.N.E. or she may run off to avoid handling. If you are allowed to pet her, then you are responsible for noticing when she has reached her limit or you may lose a hand. Don't say you weren't warned.
Petting Freya at the vet's: You may pet at will.
So, see, there are some differences. But wherever she is, Freya is my sweet kitty with a little, shall we say, moxie, and I love her to bits.
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