On or about day #2 of Maddie's residence with us, I gave her a little toy mouse to play with. She began to prance and bat in a joyous and dainty way; but after a few seconds paused and searched my face earnestly. I said, in my most supportive, cuddly voice, "It's ok! You can play!", and she promptly resumed her little mouse dance. This little sequence happened about five time in a row, before Maddie was sufficiently reassured that playing was honestly, truly allowed. Each time, I encouraged her to keep playing, and each time, she did.
I drew from this the logical conclusion that Maddie knows English. I then began to wonder if my other two cats are also fluent.
Emily, I fear, comprehends broken English, at best. She frequently leaves when I tell her to come, and gives me blank looks when I encourage her to cuddle. Vespers, on the other hand, normally understands the call to cuddle, best given by cupping his face gently in my hands, gazing lovingly into his eyes, and saying, "Howsabout a little cuddle?". Of course, he might be responding to the body language and the tone of my voice, but good enough.
I drew from this the logical conclusion that Maddie knows English. I then began to wonder if my other two cats are also fluent.
Emily, I fear, comprehends broken English, at best. She frequently leaves when I tell her to come, and gives me blank looks when I encourage her to cuddle. Vespers, on the other hand, normally understands the call to cuddle, best given by cupping his face gently in my hands, gazing lovingly into his eyes, and saying, "Howsabout a little cuddle?". Of course, he might be responding to the body language and the tone of my voice, but good enough.
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I think Emily understands English well enough, she's just being a cat.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered the possibility that Emily is a fluent English-speaker in adolescence? I would assign her to the "terrible two's" but I think in cat years it is more likely adolescence.
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