Pocket Panther and Her Dog

Little Black Kitten

Twelve years ago, our neighbors called me and asked if I knew how to sex a kitten (determine gender . . . Bad readers!) I said I thought I could and we went to their place to see this new addition. Come to find out, John had found the kitten crying in the bottom of an empty dumpster. (People suck.) He had climbed into the dumpster to rescue her, because it was a her, and they were planning on taking her to the shelter to find a home. She was solid black and didn’t have her eyes open yet. John handed her to J, and just like that, we had another cat to add to our household. At that point, we had four boxers, four cats (with her) and a seven year old.

We named her Istazi (Lakota for yellow eyes) and she has lived 90% of her life in our bedroom. She does sometimes venture to the main floor to beg a bite of breakfast (maybe twice a year) and on very rare occasion she will go as far as the walk out and mechanical room in the basement. But that is rarely. She has food and water on the sink in the bathroom, a scratching post with climbing features along the wall next to the window, and a fluffy sleep cushion under the bed. Every thing a little kitten needs.

She is a tiny thing, not more than three pounds, and about ten inches at the shoulder

Her favorite things are Lily, laying in the crook of my knee when I am sitting on the bed in the evening, teasing Lily, laying in the middle of the very large dog bed by herself, sunning in the window, scratching her post and playing the morning bathroom game.

Window panther

The bathroom game is her favorite, probably because she gets scratches from me and the total focus of Lily. I will get up to go to the bathroom first thing in the morning and she follows me into the room, with Lily trailing her. If Lily doesn’t show up, Stazi cries and meyats until Lily gets up and strolls into the bathroom. Stazi lays in the corner next to the tub and demands attention from both of us.

She was crying under the door for Lily. She has a definite name in cat for her dog.

Lily responds to her demand for attention and comes into the bathroom to check on her cat.

Lily, who has a strong prey drive, waits for the cat to move.

We have had to be adamant about her behavior around the kitten since we first brought her home.

She totally knows what’s allowed and what’s not. Sometimes she forgets, however, so we have to stay aware.

Yes, that was a tentative foot raised to poke the cat. I was watching and she barely touched her.

The cat responded by sitting up and whacking Lily across the muzzle.

Lily looked confused. 

This scenario plays out every morning. Sometimes, the kitten will climb on the edge of the tub and parade up and down behind the curtain. That is also fun. More frequently, however, is they play in the bedroom. She will call Lily up and then wander around, meyating and complaining that the dog is following her, while weaving between the dog’s legs and tail marking her chin. 

Lily is a devoted follower and if the cat is anywhere to be seen, Lily is totally and completely focused on the cat. Nothing else matters. They are pretty unique. And their relationship is pretty special. 

Skittle on the other hand, is terrified of the “Poke”. She refuses to make eye contact and will get off the bed if the little kitten gets on. There is no play between them and the little kitten rules her domain with an iron fist full of sharp pokey objects.