Fraidy cat and Scaredy cat

As observed in my earlier posts or by simply looking at the calendar, one can't help but note that Halloween is getting closer. Our two cats, Tigger (Tigs) and Boswell (Boz), do not care for this most fun of holidays. Since the rumble of a truck passing by makes both of them stare around wide-eyed, certain that DANGER is somewhere near and the first far-away sound of thunder sends them disappearing beneath the sofa, one can imagine how the frequent ring of the doorbell brings them from deep slumber into full on panicked intruder alert.

However, they are not guard cats. When the doorbell rings and an intruder is sensed, Tigs and Boz head into another room where they sit with their necks craned toward sound of the fearsome beasts at the door as though they’d like us to believe they are brave. No amount of gentle talk and coaxing can entice them back to their spots on the backs of the sofas or curled up on a cushion next to one of us. Not until the danger is well past. Not until every ghost, every ballerina, every Star Wars’ character, every lamb so little they must be carried by a parent has gained a chocolate tribute and left. We have about 40 trick or treaters on the average All Hallow’s Eve, not a lot, but just enough to keep our little ones in a constant state of stress.

Once the porch light is turned off and the candles in the jack-o-lanterns extinguished, our brave little felines creep back into the living room. They sit near us, not entirely relaxed, and always with at least their paws touching us. Later, they jump on the bed and sleep nestled against us, wanting the security, feeling safe at last.

This, to me, is as good as chocolate. Halloween has perks.