“We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”
-Benjamin Franklin
I love to play. And I have many toys, so that I sometimes have trouble deciding which one to play with first.
I’m particularly fond of carrying my toys all over the house and leaving them in unusual places.
This really entertains my people.
I have a tiny purple heart that I frequently leave on Rick’s pillow. I think he likes that. He’s had a kind of tough year and needs some extra support.
And sometimes I’ll put my yellow mouse in my food dish. Or out on the back deck. But I’m told not to do that because I could lose it.
I’ve been known to play fetch, not like dogs of course, but in my own way. One of my people will throw one of my stuffed toys down the hall and I’ll run to find it. I’m a little slower these days because I have a touch of arthritis, but I still like this game.
Late at night after the peeps have gone to bed, I like to toss a toy into the air and then slide along the hardwood floors to retrieve it. This is a lot of fun. I love to make noise!
I don’t think my people are playing enough. It seems like all they do is work. And I know that’s not good for anyone – feline or human.
I actually think they have forgotten how to play. I want to help them remember, but I’m not sure how to do it.
I sit on their laps and whisper cat talk reminders about how much fun it is to play, but I don’t think they can understand.
Do you have any suggestions how I can help?
Meow (Thank you!)
Oh, and Happy Wednesday.
7 comments
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July 14, 2010 at 8:57 am
Daisy the Curly Cat
You are doing a good job playing! Harley drags his two favorite wand toys upstairs every single night and drops them onto the bed. He drags them back downstairs every morning!
July 14, 2010 at 9:19 am
Jean McBride
We cats definitely know how to play! It’s the people I’m worried about…
July 14, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Laurel
I’m with you, Mija. Humans have forgotten how to play. My cats Grafton and Jewel try to get me to play all the time, but I usually have to leave them behind, with their sad eyes, because I’m rushing off somewhere and DON”T HAVE TIME (my mantra these days). Thanks for the reminder!
July 14, 2010 at 5:59 pm
jeanmcbride
We’ve got to get this under control. The “don’t have time” syndrome must be obliterated.
July 14, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Anne
Mija——you have the talent to relax, play and work all at the same time. In order to help – need to know the definition of play. Having a scheduled time to play works better then “making time.” Date night works well —pack a simple picnic – at this of the year there must be all kinds of neat spots to go to – if at all possible a place where one can sit with feet dangling in the water – relax and enjoy .
Anne
July 15, 2010 at 7:21 am
Serene
When I read this to my three cats, they looked at each other then, oddly, stood on their little hind legs – SO tall and stable, raised their front legs in the air and sang –
“Try Play-ates! On your own or in a group, just – Try Play-ates! We no longer feel like poop, just – Try Play-ates!”
Oh, my they were so cute! I don’t know when they found the time to work out all the harmony and dance steps, but boy, were they ever something!
Serene
(with Stormie, Gris and Lilly-Millie)
July 15, 2010 at 7:26 am
Jean McBride
Ah yes, Pilates. Leave it to cats to know…