I looked at my precious cat, Antonio. My daughter had named him and it suited him. He had class --but no superior attitude. He acted more like a dog than a cat and soon he became known as Tony. Tony's favorite game was Hide 'N Seek. He never tired of playing it with our Miniature Dachshund, Louie. Tony would hide in the bushes and watch Louie play in the yard. When the opportunity presented itself, Tony would take one giant leap and pounce directly on Louie's back.
Then the chase would begin. There was not even the slightest chance that Louie would ever be able to catch Tony, but Tony allowed himself to be caught so they could wrestle. Sitting upright, Tony used his right front paw to bat the little dog in the head. Louie kept coming back for more. They did this for hours and were a great source of entertainment for the guys painting our house. This gave the guys some good laughs and I am pleased they did not fall off their ladders.
When Louie rolled over onto his back, Tony knew the game was over. Louie was being submissive and saying "Enough - I need a nap." Basking in the summer sun, Tony would sleep with one eye open, tail twitching, watching eagles in the sky, bugs on the ground and human activity all around him.
Tony was a lover, not a fighter. He did manage to bring me the occasional mouse, snake or bird and deposit it at the front door in anticipation of praise from me. But he usually got a "Yuk! What did you do?" instead.
