Shaq Addendum
Frequent reader/blog comment gadfly "Philly D" asks if we're having any alpha-dog issues in our house. The answer is no. Hercules has always been a bottom, and Shaq is "passive dominant." He's not aggressive, he just makes it clear that he's in charge. He'll stand over Hercules and hold him with his paw if Hercules tries to assert his own sad little authority, but they don't fight over food or toys. However, the real dominant animal in this house is Teacake, Regina's 15-year-old male tabby. The other night, Shaq tried to lay atop Teacake on the sofa. Teacake grabbed Shaq around the neck and sunk his teeth in, not tight enough to leave a mark. Then he let loose a low, throaty moan that said, "listen, you farty malcontent. I have lived in five different states and ten different houses. I am in the early stages of kidney failure. And I am not going to put up with your goofy Boston Terrier crap."
I have to say, Teacake won my respect right there. And it only took him nine years.
Comments
Dude, I can't believe MSN says you are a "self-proclaimed rock star"....sweet Jesus, then I must be Gwen Stefani.
Austin misses you. Yep.
Posted by: Kerri Atwood | February 16, 2007 1:53 PM
Dude! You rock. I just found this page courtesy of MSN. I love it already. I will be buying your latest book tonight and from the sound of things the others shortly after1
Posted by: John | February 16, 2007 3:24 PM
nice picture!
Posted by: Kristina B | February 17, 2007 12:16 PM
just a friendly warning -- I think you guys are one cat away from becoming those weird people with too many animals.
Posted by: Jerod | February 17, 2007 4:15 PM
I found this page after reading your book, which I found out about after reading your Salon article (which came at a good time, since I'm pregnant and was deciding on circumcision--really well-written article about the internal conflicts--thanks). Love the book, love this site. Sorry your book tour doesn't head through Reno (but then again, no one does, except for the author of "Riding the Bus with My Sister").
Posted by: Alissa | February 18, 2007 11:09 AM
We need a picture of Teacake!
I love it when cats growl. Ours growl when people in other apartments walk past our door. Cracks me up.
Posted by: shoppista | February 18, 2007 7:41 PM
I love it when cats do that. I've had some do it to me when I've bugged them too much. It's such a clear and precise message, a perfect moment of inter-species communication. "Knock this shit off or I'm gonna do this for real, pal." It's like they're actually thinking with their little cat brains. Good times.
Posted by: Tim | February 20, 2007 2:46 PM