Speckles is one of the younger cats in the house. Little Socks, now aged 19, has been the alpha of the house since she arrived. (She never tried to “alpha” Tiger Lily, but she “alpha’d” everyone else.)
All of the cats have unique personalities, and Speckles has a tortie’s perspective on life.
Tortitude & Passive Resistance
Called “tortitude,” cats of Speckle’s persuasion tend to be strong-willed and fiercely independent. She is both of those things. Torties are also supposed to be very vocal. She is not. She’s more the strong, silent type.
The one thing that was apparent early on was that she was not going to allow anyone to bully her into doing anything she did not want to do. That included the current alpha, Little Socks, and the “mother” of the household, Tiger Lily.
She has also mastered the art of sitting quietly, gazing intently, and seeming to know nothing yet everything at the same time. She moves silently. One minute she can be seen sitting on the kitchen table. The next, she is sitting on the desk. Suddenly, you look up, and she is in the up-high, which would have been a noisy ascent by any of the other cats.
Interview
Little Socks, beside herself one day for “getting nowhere” with Speckles, being used to getting everything she wants all the time, asked Tiger Lily to intervene. The conversation went something like this.
Tiger Lily: Speckles, Little Socks asked you politely to give her part of the sunbeam.
Speckles: [stares into space]
Tiger Lily: Was she polite when she asked?
Speckles: [looks out the window]
Tiger Lily: She asked politely.
Speckles: [licks a paw]
Tiger Lily: Do you know that we share things in this house?
Speckles: [settles into a more comfortable position]
Tiger Lily: Will you share with her next time?
Speckles: [sits up again]
Tiger Lily: Are you going to talk to me?
Speckles: [yawns]
Tiger Lily: Really? This is what I get?
Speckles: [stands, trots off]
Ninjatude & Active Resistance
If you are a human who needs to do something like take her to the doctor for shots, or catch her of a morning for medicine, you will be treated to a ninja personality like no other. Even in a closed room, there is no catching her. She can twist and turn in midair, and find the most out-of-the way places to hide. And, talking about medicine, if you try for three to four days to give her medicine every day, for the next six months, she will wait for you to deliver dinner in a place where you can only place a dish, not reach in and grab.
Interview
Mommy, beside herself because Speckles won’t allow herself to be touched to get her medicine, asks Tiger Lily to have a conversation with her.
Tiger Lily: Speckles, Mommy says you won’t let her give you medicine.
Speckles: [stares into space]
Tiger Lily: She just needs to give you the medicine.
Speckles: [looks out the window]
Tiger Lily: You’ll feel better if you just let her. It’s quick, and it doesn’t taste that bad.
Speckles: [licks a paw]
Tiger Lily: You’ve been sick. Really, it will make you better.
Speckles: [settles into a more comfortable position]
Tiger Lily: Will you stop hiding from Mommy?
Speckles: [sits up again]
Tiger Lily: Oh, for goodness sakes! I’m done with this!
Speckles: [yawns]
Tiger Lily: Mom! She’s impossible!
Speckles: [stands, trots off]
In Closing
Really? Who’s in charge here?