Ask Morris
Got a problem? Morris the wise old cat has the answers!
So sit
back, relax and enjoy the catnip as Morris would say.
If
you have a question for Morris please
email
hshp_hays@hotmail.com.
Dear Morris,
I have this friend
let’s call her “Faddie” and she is slightly overweight. I am
afraid she might burst if she continues to eat the way she
does. She wants to eat when she is tired, angry, bored, or sad.
Her only joy in this world seems to revolve solely around food.
The media isn’t helping because all the catzines show fat cat
advertising and she believes this is what is expected of young
cats today. Is there any hope for Faddie?
~ Concerned Cornish Rex
Dear Concerned,
I wish there was an easy way to answer this, but Faddie seems to
be suffering from emotional overeating. The best you can do is
encourage Faddie to lay off the sardines. Perhaps she could
find some other interests such as: catnip, chasing mice, or
scratching furniture? If these efforts don’t work Faddie may
need to see a veterinarian so she can get on track and avoid
health problems such as feline diabetes, arthritis, and
breathing difficulties.
Dear Morris,
I often enjoy jumping on my human’s countertop to investigate.
The other day I jumped up while my human was in the kitchen. My
human began making strange sounds and scared me nearly to
death. These noises were followed by a cold stream of water
spraying unto my beautiful coat. For the love of paw, what is
this spraying device and who would invent such a dreadful
thing?
~Watered Down
Dear
Watered Down,
 It sounds like a terrible experience and it all stems from misunderstanding. Your human doesn’t understand that as
feline’s we feel the whole house is OURS. This includes
countertops, desks, and dressers. The dreaded sprayer has been
used for many years to try to force cats to go against their
natural feline instincts to claim ownership over EVERYTHING.
The good news is that all that is inside of the sprayer is water
so it is not harmful but rather just an annoyance. Maybe if you
continue the behavior your human will give up and you can
reclaim what is rightfully yours.
If a cat did not put a firm paw down now and then, how could his
human remain possessed. - Winifred
Carriere
Dear Morris,
I recently got to visit you at the Shelter. I was picked up by
an Animal Control Officer and put into a cage at your shelter.
I want to thank you for taking care of me while I was there
until my owner could pick me up. You guys gave me a clean place
to sleep and food and water and kept me safe and warm.
~Bowser
Dear Bowser,
I am glad you enjoyed your stay at our Shelter. I have the
staff trained pretty well to meet our animals every need…and in
my case every want. We are here to provide safe shelter, food,
and water to our homeless and lost pets. Enjoy your new home
and have a wonderful New Year!
Dear Morris,
When animals are lost and brought to the shelter why does it
seem like the humans always claim dogs more than cats? Does it
mean that our humans don't care about their feline friends?
~Just Thinking
Dear Just Thinking,
The reason more people claim dogs more than cats is because dogs
need to be taken care of. Cats are more independent and can
take care of themselves. Many dogs would never survive without
their owner’s constant love and attention. Cats like me do as
we please, go where we please, and will return home if we so
choose. So we have our owners pretty well trained to know that
if we want to come home we will find our way back, but only when
we are ready. We have been known to cross 100’s of miles to get
back home if we get ourselves lost. So it’s not that our owners
don’t care about us, its just that dogs are much more dependent
on their owners to bring them back. I swear some dogs would go
home with just about anyone…how crazy is that?
“A cat has nine lives. For three
he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.”
– English Proverb
Dear Morris,
Even though I'm a six-year-old tuxedo cat, I will admit
to enjoying an active life style. I like to play, race, ambush
and attack my humans' feet at night. My complaint is that
I'm underappreciated for my efforts. What can I do to jazz up
this boring household with three lazy cats and two relatively
idle humans. I'm slim, trim and healthy. They are not! Any
suggestions would be appreciated.
~Ayame
Dear Morris,
I have a weight problem and I live with a fit male cat and a
young female cat. I used to be a breeder cat, but I have a new
home and have been spayed. My humans leave plenty of food out
for us to eat, but I overindulge. Do you have any suggestions
on how I can slim down. -Mrs. Norris
Dear Ayame & Mrs. Norris,
Since both of you had a similar question I want to give you my
honest opinion about felines staying slim. Ayame, I understand
you want to jazz up the household but my thoughts are if you
can’t beat them join them. At your ages you should really begin
to take it easy on yourself. Times have changed for the role of
the housecat. We no longer are expected to earn our keep
through hunting, stalking, and or ambushing. There are three
steps to becoming a modern housecat: 1. Take more naps at least
2 per hour. 2. Experience the power of catnip. 3. Eat as much
as your human allows; the full feeling aids in sleepiness. Once
you have mastered the art of laziness life will be purrfect.
As a very wise cat once said:
"ALL I DO IS EAT AND SLEEP. EAT AND SLEEP. EAT AND SLEEP. THERE
MUST BE MORE TO A CAT’S LIFE THAN THAT. BUT I HOPE NOT." -
Garfield
Dear Morris,
Just recently my humans
brought home a new puppy. The problem is all it does is scream,
cry, and chase me around the house. It wants to sleep on my bed
and tries to steal all of my human’s attention. You know it
even chewed on my toys and stuck its nose in my toilet…what kind
of animal does such a thing? Please help as I am at a loss as
to what to do with this mischievous pup.
-Terrorized Torti
Dear Terrorized,
The new puppy sounds like it
has definitely made itself right at home. Sometimes you have to
show the new pup who is boss by giving it a stern paw slap in
the face. If this doesn’t work you may just have to use the
“avoid it at all costs” method. When the puppy comes into the
room find a high place to hide, or squeeze under a piece of
furniture. If all else fails stage an “accident” and make it
look like puppy did it. When the humans come home to find trash
strung out and furniture chewed up lure the pup into the area
and quickly put on your most innocent face. This is a sure way
to get him sent to the doghouse!
 
|
Morris's
birthday party brought a lot of people to the shelter. Ten
shelter animals found their forever homes that day. Some people
brought gifts of cat food and litter. Some people just came to
wish the birthday boy well. Many people enjoyed punch and cake.
The cake did have a little mishap in the beginning as Shelter
cat Maddie took a dive right into the cardboard cover. This
smashed the cake frosting but the visitors didn't mind as
it still tasted great. 
