Always Close the Toilet

Richard is such an interesting cat. She (Yes she) was named by my six-year-old cousin. (This is the same cousin who named a horse Pizza.) Richard was raised as an inside cat, which explains her perfectly maintained siamese coat, but she was a little too energetic to stay inside, so she was moved to the farm. She took to the outside like a fish to water. She'd chase and play with the chickens, go run around with the miniature horses, and sometimes get into fights with stray cats. With how well she does outside, you'd think that Richard would stay there forever.

But she doesn't. As much as she enjoys the freedom of the outside, she also loves water and attention. If you try and sleep she'll try many different things: walking on you to keep you awake, trying to climb under the covers, trying to pull off the covers (she's only gotten halfway), or just sleeping on you.

But that isn't half as weird as her obsession with water. If anyone leaves the bathroom door open, Richard rushes in and jumps to the sink or the toilet. If it's the sink, she'll turn the water on and either lay in it or splash it everywhere. If it's the toilet, she'll try and play with the water. The first time I saw her playing in the toilet I shouted in surprise. That was enough to cause Richard to tumble into the bowl of the toilet, thank goodness it was clean. Richard gave me a glare that I could only assume meant I hate you and jumped out of her watery prison. Her fur was drenched and matted, and her face almost looked disappointed. But I learned two important lessons: to never surprise my cat and to always close the toilet.