Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Miki, the kitten who made me a cat person.
Most cats hate water, right? Miki certainly loves lazy days inside when it’s raining, while the kittens pop in and out briefly, until they realize the sensation of wet fur against their skin is not all that great. But only recently, Minnie has developed a strange curiosity about the shower. She behaves similarly when I wash my hands or even use the toilet. She needs to be near me and observe what I’m doing. Initially, I figured she was doing it for attention, as we share a strong bond. But now I am beginning to think that she actually seems interested in the water.
My Shower Company
Over the last few weeks, almost every time I got into the walk-in shower and got the hot water running to set up my ideal temperature, there was Minnie, curiously entering as well. She showed no fear or disgust, even as she stepped on the wet tiles. She looked at the running water, amazed and confused at the same time. At least that’s how I saw it, based on the look of cluelessness on her face. What fascinates her about it, besides it running in perfect lines and making a specific sound, I am not entirely sure. She will even stick around until I start to shower, when she realizes there is too much splashing and the risk of getting wet is becoming too high for her liking.
Maybe Minnie Is a Stalker
Then, she ends up sitting on the towel on the floor, used to dry off the tiles, and waits for me to finish. Occasionally, she goes to the other side of the shower glass and tries to paw at the droplets of water, not realizing she’s on the wrong side. It’s entertaining to watch, but she does make me feel a little self-conscious. You just can’t shake the feeling of being watched, and maybe judged. Still, she is just so special and always up to something that neither Nara nor Miki would think of in a million years. Miki has entered the bathroom a few times while I was in the shower, and as soon as he realized he couldn’t get out the window, he gave up on his quest and went downstairs, where there is always an open window. Nara, on the other hand, stays well away from the water and will only observe from a safe distance.
But Bathing Minnie Is a Nightmare
On a few unlucky occasions, Minnie has had loose stool and, of course, managed to step in it multiple times while trying to cover it up with litter. When this happens, I have to give her a mini bath. This only involved rinsing out her paws before she left rather disgusting paw prints everywhere, but even that was too much for the little princess. She hated it every time with a passion. It was as if I were literally trying to murder her. She tried to wriggle out of my hands, making sounds as if she was being tortured, to the point that Miki and Nara looked confused and even concerned for their own well-being. And the whole mini bath only took a minute.
Always There
Minnie is my special kitten in many ways. We have bonded so deeply, and I am used to her always being there. As soon as I get their food bowls to wash, she jumps up on the bin next to the sink and watches closely as I rinse and prepare them for their next meal. She also has a tendency to jump up into my lap, regardless of whether I’m sitting in front of the laptop or on the toilet seat. She just has no respect for personal space and privacy. And in a weird sense, I love that about her.
- Read her previous article: The “Old” Leading the Young: How Miki Teaches the Kittens
My Shower Company
