The New York Times says parents who are addicted to technology could be adversely affecting their children. It's parents' constant use of cellphones and instant messaging that can cause children to feel hurt and ignored. The article describes how a boy, 2 1/2 years old, tried to get his mother's attention while she was looking at her BlackBerry. This kid whined, tugged at his mother's leg and, in a moment of final frustration, bit her. It struck home because that's exactly what my cats do when I'm on the computer.
My cats start out by meowing at me. Doesn't matter which one, all 3 of them do it. I'm often so engrossed with my Land Park real estate business that I usually don't even hear them. I tune out their cries for attention. When ignored, my cat will then stand on his hind legs and pat my arm several times with his front paw. It's what I call the "Hello, do you have any Grey Poupon?" maneuver. I continue working. At this point, the cat either stomps away or CHOMP, he bites me, take your pick. Cats aren't stupid.
They don't break my skin. They just put their teeth on my arm as a not-so-subtle reminder that they could eat me in my sleep if they wanted to. That's what happens to some people, you know. Like that commercial, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up." An older person could suddenly keel over and, in that position, be unable to feed the cats. Sooner or later, the starving cats will eat that person clutching the table leg for dear life; they don't care. They're hungry.
I'd like to think that if I had a heart attack or something and collapsed, my cats would be smart enough to dance on my cell and tap Sacto 9-1-1. But the truth is if my husband wasn't around, they would eventually eat me. Believe me, yours would do it to you, too.
Photo: Elizabeth Weintraub, Brandon in Land Park, Sacramento
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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Elizabeth, Nice post. We need to be more aware of these issues.
Elizabeth: I know what you mean about those bites that don't break the skin. They are definitely attention getters. We have one cat that loves to just hold your hand (if you've been playing with her) in her mouth. Never hurts. Just odd behavior.
I suspect Bryan did not read more than the first couple of lines.
Hi Chris Ann: The experts say you should never let your cat put its teeth on your skin. My little female, Pia, gives me "love bites" all the time. I know I shouldn't let her do it because it encourages bad behavior, but I do. She displays this behavior when she's overly affectionate and too worked up. The way she carries on you'd think I never pet her or play with her, which isn't the case.
Elizabeth - funny, I had the same 'suspicion' and I have it quite often on AR.
As for the cats, i know that I used to come from work and he was right by the door waiting, and I a few times made a mistake of ignoring, and would take off the coat, and boots, and the cat then would bite me, get angry and walk away.
So I had to pat him until he would walk away on his own.
But being eaten never occurred to me, and I am afraid you are right.
Would a dog do the same?
Would a dog do the same?
Ha, of course not, Jon. A dog might lick you to death but only figuratively. It's only cats who would eat you. It's something to think about, and I obviously I do.
Nice post - reminds me of our dinner sometimes. I demand that we put our cell phones away and just have a family time to talk. Answer them once the meal is complete.
Elizabeth - LMAO! OMG, you are such a crack-up sometimes. I don't know what inspired this post but thx for the morning laugh. I'm probably going to be thinking of the image of your cat eating you all day now - THANK YOU VERY MUCH! LOL
On another note, my fur babies do that pawing thing too when they want attention and affection (or food). So far, they've never bitten me (love bites or any other kind). Usually, it's while I'm in my home office working on my computer and they want to play ball (they're all ball hounds). First they try dropping the ball at my feet a few times, then it's in my lap of behind me on my chair and if I still won't play, then it's the pawing thing.
Sometimes though, it's at 6am and they're sitting on the bed next to me pawing my head or shoulder. "Yes, I know babies, you want your breakfast". AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
Well now, there's a cheery thought. Right now I'm glad I don't have any cats! If I have cat nightmares tonight you are going to be getting a call!
And they say cats are picky! I tend to agree with you - I'm sure they would have no problem nibbling on us. I've had lots of those quick nips to get attention but with 2 little kids in the house now they've pretty much given up and realized they are further down the totem pole. As long as they get their evening treats ("nums") they've made peace with it. One of them loves to sit on whatever my husband (a RE Broker) is working on or his computer bag. I think they just want to be a part of the action. Cute post - thanks for the laugh!
Like you, cats are smart cookies! They say that cats simply expect good service...(=^:^=) mine sure do!
Funny post Elizabeth! Yes, it is most definitely TRUE and I know that from experience...will not go into details but Hiway will also let me know when she is hungry or just wants to play. She can get pretty adament about it when I am not giving her my full attention!
Elizabeth,
Wow, what an interesting feline science in the thread. I guess you had something sinister in the thought, that others discount, and maybe they are wrong
My cat is as mean as a snake, but when she wants to wake me, she puts her teeth around my elbow and just lightly nips. Very smart.
Nice to see other cat lovers here. As you guys all know -- cats rule the house. Sure, we may think that we keep them off the kitchen counters but soon as we go out of town, you know where they're dancing barefoot, um bare-pawed.
I see our "need to be connected" as an issue in many areas of our lives. I often wonder how it is we came to this obsessive point. I drew my lines with Twitter. I refuse to succomb to so outrageous aneed to be connected that I must tweet 144 characters while standing in line at the grocery store. . . That's simply insane!
My cats resent my real estate business. They only grudgingly allow me to get some work done because they know I use the commissions to keep them in Wellness brand catfood. But my main job is to pet or play with them when they howl (Kitty) or loudly chew on things (Miles). Those things include my sandals, purse straps, luggage handles, or anything clawed out of the wastepaper basket.
Made me think of years and years ago when I first started in this business (which takes over your life at times) and was also VERY involved in a service organization... one day when I was headed out the door for the meeting Abigail said "Mommy would you please quit pilot club so you can spend SOME time with me?" She was about 5. I resigned at that meeting.
LOL! That's a gruesome thought Elizabeth. Maybe that's why I don't have cats. My dog would lie down beside me and just starve to death.