Much of my adult life has been spent in the company of older cats. Either by necessity or by choice, my last three felines, (Sebastian, Sashi, and Tara) have been middle-aged when I adopted them and thus quite set in their ways. With the exception of an occasional tussle with a catnip toy, playtime for them was never a priority.
So when I adopted Truffles this past August at only two years old I was very excited to have a young cat in my life who I just knew would be active and playful. I went out and bought her a multitude of toys to choose from...interactive toys, catnip bags, feather toys, wand toys. I even put new batteries in an old laser light I had long ago put away in a drawer.
Guess what happened? Nothing. Truffles was not impressed with a single thing. In fact, with the exception of grabbing at a pen or stick under a paper bag, her play instinct was pretty much non-existent. I'll admit that I was slightly disappointed, but hoped that maybe in time she would come around.
Fast forward to Christmas when we took part in a Secret Santa gift exchange for cats of the blogosphere called Secret Paws. Truffles hit the jackpot with a package filled with toys and treats galore. I was pleasantly surprised to see her immediately drawn to a crinkle ball and catnip mouse. Then a couple days later, it happened....out of a pile of new and old toys, she picked out a fabric-covered, plain blue ball and went absolutely crazy. Biting it, kicking it, tossing and chasing it around the house. I had never seen her experience such absolutely joy before and it brought tears to my eyes. My little girl was finally coming out of her shell!!!
What started out as a breakthrough moment has become a "moment" that we now share every day. Each morning after breakfast Truffles immediately pulls out her beloved blue ball and starts playing. Those 15 to 20 minutes every morning spent with my special little girl before I leave for work are so, so special to me. It's "our time" together that I look forward to and it remains with me as I go about my day. Playtime is essential for an indoor cat's mental and physical health, but it's pretty darn therapeutic for me too!
Better still, that simple little ball has kicked her play drive into high gear and now she's more willing to try out new toys...although blue ball is always right there in the mix and still her "go to" toy each day. I'm certain that if Truffles could talk she would say that the day she discovered her beloved blue ball was one of the best days of her short life (right after the day she found her forever home with me, of course!)
It's even with her when she settles down for a nap...
Our story is a part of the #RecipeForMoments blog hop hosted by BlogPaws. Link up below to share your story of the bond you and your pet share. What do you think your pet feels in your special moments? Five random U.S. winners who link up their blog post will win a Nature’s Recipe® lightweight collar camera to capture special moments from their pet’s point of view. See BlogPaws for official rules and details.
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20 comments:
I am so glad that Truffles like her blue ball. It's always nice when your kitty finds that special toy she just loves to pieces! :)
I thought it was just my older cats who didn't want to play. I can't tell you how many different toys I've tried to inspire them. This gives me hope that if I just keep trying, maybe we'll hit on the right one even with our older cats! Very sweet photos....Truffles looks so happy with her toy!
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
I’m the opposite of Truffles. I’ve always loved to play just not with cat toys.
My kitties play with any and everything!! My one husky is picky about her toys but the rest of our pack will play with whatever they find! Lol
Happy weekend to you!
((Husky hugz frum da pack))
"Love is being owned by a husky"
So happy you get to enjoy some play time with Truffles each morning that helps you through your day!
It is so nice to see a kitty play :)
Truffles is very cute and we can see she loves her blue ball!
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure,JJ
and Angels Tiger and Tillie
Simple but a precious blue ball. Sweet story. Golden Woofs
How sweet! It's amazing what the simplest things can do. My dogs Maya and Pierson have toys galore, but Maya's favorite toy has always been the stick. She will even go crazy for a simple empty toilet paper or paper towel roll.
Yaaaay Happy Happy times - what a lovely 'tail' and I know play comes to us all - it's a gift.
Harvey Button
Awww... that's so sweet.
What a special girl and a beautiful story.
xo
Sometimes it is the simplest things that mean the most to cats. I'm glad that Truffles has found her blue ball :) She is soooo adorable.
I love your cat's coloring!
Hahhah blue balls! Found you via Pet Parade!
Her has a ball frind! That's so pawsome! Like she finally realized I gots my own home and my own toy! Happy Playtime dear Truffles. Purrz, Katie Kat.
That's so sweet!
Aww, love that she has a favorite toy. Wish mine would play with their toys, rather than everything else in the house! Thanks for sharing on the Pet Parade. ~Rascal and Rocco
Loving this quote, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." and it looks like your Cooper has found the right recipe for moments. So cute.
What a great moment! You're so right about the importance of playtime for cats. My cat wasn't into catnip or any of the standard toys. One day I balled up my chewing gum wrapper and she was interested. I threw it, she fetched it, and life was forever changed! She went bananas for a little ball of aluminum foil every time! Thanks for sharing your story!
Isn't is amazing how much fun a simple little ball can be?
My Chuckles has that same toy and he adores it! I find it everywhere in the house 'cause he always playing with it...it's almost as good as a roll of paper towels.
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