Spark's Notes for April
Spark’s Notes
Sometimes it takes a spark to inspire! In this case, it is Spark the cat who is the inspiration.
For Zoom meetings and online training sessions, Spark is a constant presence, meowing until I pick him up so he can be “a part”. If he’s not around, people ask for him. Others ask for photos of him to make their day better. Now, Spark can make every month better with his once a month blog and word of the month! Let’s hear what Spark’s Notes are for the month of April!
I am Spark, the most handsome ginger cat in the world. If you haven’t already met me, then I am surprised and also highly disappointed- I am in all of Ruby Leslie (the founder of WFA)’s webinars, Facebook/Instagram lives, online courses and training. I am the biggest draw to all that she does. Quite literally a ginger star or a spark if you will!
Meowing to get my “spot” on the couch back
After so many people meeting me, it has been decided that I will have a monthly blog on WFA. Everyday should be dedicated to me, but for the moment this will do. Spark’s notes are the monthly life of me, the most handsome and meowy ginger cat.
With spring arriving, I’ve been mostly at my bird watching post by the window. If my looks could kill, all of the birds that fly past me would be dead. Those zippy little finches wouldn’t zip anymore and those robins well… they look nice and juicy!!!
Those damn geese ALWAYS honk NON-STOP when flying past or at 1am when they seem to have a goose convention! Like what the h*ll do they have to honk about at 1am??? Always interrupting my beauty sleep, those evil f*ckers. It takes a lot of deep sleep to look this good and fluffy!
After I’ve finished my 2am chase-athon with the other two (lesser) felines in the house- Marmalade and Patches- I am often disturbed by the second most horrible birds in the world- MAGPIES- chattering away at 5am!! Don’t these birds know that all cats need to have AT LEAST 12 to 16 hours of sleep a day!! Seriously birds! Stop your tweeting!
On top of those torturous magpies and geese, I wasn’t at all impressed with Calgary’s spring- like where in the world does it snow in the middle of April?!?!?! Sometimes when I sit at my bird watching post, I get snow flying in through the screen window! The gall of those snowflakes to even touch my fluffy fur!
Sometimes I am lenient and allow Marmalade to watch birds with me
Sometimes Marmalade or Patches join me at my bird hunting post, but when they do I like to give them a smack or two or more over the head - this bird watching space is reserved just for me. If I’m feeling lenient I’ll let them stay for a few minutes, until my fluffy patience hour-glass has timed out, and I’ll give them a smack and a headlock to get them off my bird watching throne … ahem space!
Ruby told me that this behaviour is actually called resource guarding, that cats and even those nasty dogs do it! She’s helped many dogs who resource guard in-person and with online training- in Canada, USA, Thailand and across China. When I am not in a food coma or having my beauty sleep, I join Ruby for her online training and hear her talk about those stinky dogs and their behaviours.
Some dogs guard bedrooms, food, toys, front doors, gates, couches and even the attention of their guardians.. Similar to those gross dogs, everything is or should be my possession, and I will smack you or try to bite if try to you take things away from me. Ruby’s taught me lots of fun games when she has to take things away! She says to never take things away from the mouth or paws of a dog or cat! Which I agree with- if it’s mine DO NOT TOUCH. She’s also very mindful to always have 1+ the number of bowls and toys so I don’t feel the need to guard my toys as much (like having 3 food bowls for 2 cats, 4 toys for 3 cats etc).
Hey, did you know she’s having a sale for online training at the moment? Click on the button below to learn more!
Although for me, it’s not necessarily about resources, it’s just that I am the most special cat in the world and should be the KING possessor of every toy, bed and couch spot. If Marmalade, Patches or even Ruby sit in a chair for too long I make sure I tell them off non-stop or even give them a smack until it’s mine. If there is only 1 toy, then I will just sit on top of it, so no one can get it!
I’ve decided that the training word for April will be- resource guarding! What did you expect me to say geese or magpies?! They’re evil!!!
My favourite thing to guard is my bacon catnip toy. It crinkles, I can kick it, chew on it, throw it in the air, catch it or meow my head off at Ruby if I drop it behind my head or on the floor. Even if she says that SHE is a trainer, I know that I’ve trained her really well.
Pawing you away for this month! I’ll see you at the end of next month for Spark’s Notes and Spark’s word for May!