Hiss Vs Growl

Life was good before the move.

Leo and Loki spent all day eating, sleeping, and playing. Their humans’ presence was not necessary for the enjoyment of their dog free paradise. Each had their favorite spots on the couch and windowsill where they would bask in sunbeams and challenge birds. When not engaging in these activities they would spend hours discussing the humans they were forced to live with.

Then one day everything changed.

Cardboard boxes showed up en masse swallowing up the contents of their home. Strangers came over regularly to move furniture and boxes into the trailer that blocked the view from their favorite window. Mouse sized clumps of hair and lost toys emerged as things were congregated into spare rooms.

Each day their confusion magnified until the day their humans locked them in the bathroom. Strange voices and loud thuds drifted through the door. Instead of letting them out, they were stuffed into carriers and paraded through an empty house and into a car for the endless drive to a strange place.

Released from these cramped prisons they were locked in another bathroom with their litter box and some water while the sounds of footsteps drifted down from the ceiling above.

Finally released from the bathroom they emerged into a new world. Many of the items had a familiar smell but the house was a large alien world. Seeking sanctuary beneath their parents’ bed they did not want to emerge even to venture downstairs to use the litter box – instead relieving themselves on a corner of the mattress on the bed above.

As time passed, simple pleasures were discovered. Places to sun yourself became apparent. A new window with a different view of the world was obtained. Triangular steps provided ample room to sprawl in the late afternoon sun. People watching replaced the birds at their previous home and they glared at dogs walking by.

Sensing that another move was not on the horizon they began to relax until the Barking Menace was brought home.

It was black, slightly bigger than they were, and never wanted to sit still.

Confused at first, they avoided this invader. Desperate for companionship, she would try to kiss them, persisting despite the hisses and claws they threw her way. A series of slashes across her nose brought the desired result – the Barking Menace was afraid of Leo and stopped challenging his authority.

Continuing to use intimidation tactics, such as preventing her from using the stairs by laying across them, Leo ruled supreme.

The Barking Menace had been cowed, ensuring she never crossed him. Sadly, his humans were against him and would take her side.

Loki was more accommodating towards the Barking Menace, only hissing when she tried to kiss him with her sopping wet tongue. His desire to keep the peace caused issues with Leo but the older cat’s anger was no match for Loki’s natural charm, and they remained friends.

The humans also found the Barking Menace’s energy to be uncontrollable and would take her for walks at night to wear her out.

Having the opposite effect, the Barking Menace would return from these activities with even MORE energy, causing the humans to temporarily look at each other in despair, knowing that sleep would be delayed a little longer.

Fortunately for everyone, the Barking Menace lacked stamina and would fall into a deep sleep under the coffee table after burning through her energy reserves. Pushing her shoulder to confirm she was not faking, the cats breathed sighs of relief. They expressed their displeasure with their humans by giving lava freezing glares and denying affection.

Hoping to figure out a way to rid them of the Barking Menace, Leo continued to bide his time, exacting his revenge whenever he was alone with the Barking Menace.

Then a new threat entered his domain. His owners did the unthinkable bringing ANOTHER dog into the household whom he promptly dubbed The Barking Devil.

Younger and with a perkier personality, the Barking Devil was not afraid of arousing his displeasure and would frequently challenge his authority.

Barking back, chasing, and aggressively close contact were her weapons of choice whenever he hissed at her. She would also stand up for the Barking Menace causing her to become less afraid of the alpha cat.

Interestingly, the Barking Devil’s presence led to a truce between the alpha cat and the Barking Menace. True, the Barking Devil provided a friend and bodyguard for the Barking Menace, but her antics drove everyone crazy giving them a common enemy to silently resent.

Years passed and while the Barking Menace became LESS annoying as she matured the Barking Devil gave no such reprieve.

Barking at everything real or imagined Leo smirked to himself every time the humans told the Barking Devil to shut up, her antics at 1 am waking the neighbours.

Growing bolder as she aged, the Barking Devil had an unnatural ability to focus, her ears no longer hearing the anger in her human’s voices.

When they could distract her, she would often comply, but heaven help them if her entire focus was on the object of her tirade – ear splitting barks could be heard for miles and nothing would stop her.

Today - Leo, Loki, Ebony, and Kaki live in a house where mutual tolerance dominates. Aggressive vocalization has replaced the violence of the past and they have learned to coexist.

A second move has allowed them to claim new territory and given Leo and Loki a cat door through which they can escape when needed. The Barking Menace (Ebony) and the Barking Devil (Kaki) still drive their brothers crazy but a grudgingly gained love for their differences has led to a mutual respect.

With their strong personalities, each of them has distinct likes and dislikes that we humans sometimes struggle to accommodate.

Together they would like to share their thoughts and opinions on life.