Having spent a couple of weeks settling in and getting to the point where I was feeling more relaxed I thought I should start teaching my new family some ways to make life with a blind cat a bit easier for everyone.
The first thing to realise is that I don’t consider myself any different to a ‘normal’ cat. What is a ‘normal’ cat after all? We’re all different much like humans. This has positive and negative aspects as it means that on one hand I’m really confident, inquisitive, boisterous and energetic but on the other hand my confidence can also be a bit of a problem. This is especially evident when I think I know the layout of the corridor and go running down it at full speed, get the angle slightly wrong and bump, I catch the edge of a door frame or the wall or litter tray. Ouch! I just need to remember to go a little bit slower and take my time to get the flat layout completely cast into memory. The good news is though that even though I can’t see my other senses are (I know I’m blowing my own trumpet) exceptional. I can hear anything flying no matter how small at 1,000 paces, everywhere I go my paws leave a scent which I can easily follow so I know where I’ve been and can find my way back, I create scent routes all over the flat. I also use my whiskas a lot, I can use them to sense objects before I run into them (most of the time) or use them to feel where the walls or other objects are. Well, that’s the idea, it doesn’t always work but it does give me a bit of a warning that there’s an object coming up so I can at least try to stop. Sometimes I’m just so fast though that it doesn’t quite go to plan and all I can do is skid to a halt and brace myself for an impact.
JENNY’S TOP TIP 1:
To help me out my mummy and daddy bought some corner protectors (normally used for human toddlers) to put over some of the furniture and radiators which have sharp corners that I might run into. They’re not too intrusive and mean they can rest assured that I won’t hurt myself. This is a top tip for anyone with sharp furniture and blind or even just accident prone cat. My big sister Mia isn’t quite as graceful and poised as she would lead you to think but I’d never tell her that!
one)
I’ve been exploring the various rooms in the flat a bit more. I have found two bathrooms, these are really good places to explore as they have different levels, sounds and smells which makes it interesting for a curious blind cat like me. As I was exploring the bathrooms I discovered the toilet which make a great viewing platform and when I climb up on them I can then get up further onto what my guardians say is a sink. Well to me it makes the noise of a waterfall which I like and I ask my guardians to turn on the waterfall so I can have a drink.
On the back of the toilets mummy has a bowl with something in it, as I paw gently at it to find out what it might be it makes a kind of crinkly noise. I like that noise so I paw at it a bit more, I Really like it, so I do it again and again and again, this is really fun and I really should tell you that I LOVE digging, anytime, anywhere. Normally though I’m limited to digging outside but now I can do it inside too! Each time I do it and empty the bowl, someone fills it back up again so I can do it again and again. Daddy and Mummy don’t seem to mind and say s just harmless and there’s no damage caused’
JENNY’S TOP TIP 2:
Train your human family to put the toilet seat down as soon as soon as they have finished their business (seems a weird place for them to do it to me!). When I say as soon as I mean just that, I went to jump on the toilet just as mummy stood up and – OH NO 😱 there’s a hole in the lid! Fortunately I had jumped up cautiously with my four paws spread out and so I managed to avoid falling in, much to mummy’s (and my) relief.
They also have a shower and a bath, these are both good for exploring but they make scary noises as well. I have found out that this is where they wash, again a weird human thing to do. Mummy likes to have a bath and I really, really need to understand what is going on inside the big watery tub? What is all the splashing noise about? I just need to know – it’s a cat curiosity thing, it’s just our nature and being blind doesn’t diminish this instinct. I reached up gingerly and felt with my paws along the side and I was just tall enough to be able to get my paws fully on the top of the bath. This is my way of ascertaining if I can jump onto something, If I can reach and it’s deep enough for me to get my whole paw on then I can be pretty sure that I can fit four paws on if I jump up. I gave it a go and managed to jump up onto the corner of the bath next to mummy. Mummy was amazed and shouted for daddy to come and have a look “Wow good girl Jenny, well done” daddy said giving me a reassuring stroke. With this compliment I ventured along the side of the bath, to explore further. With each step I put my paw out and lightly touch in front of me before putting my full weight onto the paw. This way I know I’m stepping on something firm and keeping on track, it’s a subtle movement but an essential one for me. I made it safely to the other side and then gradually ran my paws down the side of the bath to come back down. I know I got up there so I knew I could get down again but I just need to be a bit careful until I know how far to jump down. I have come to realise that one really fun thing about the bath is that you can reach down inside and splash about with the water or mummy’s toes if she’s wiggling them in the water to tempt me!
My favourite bit about my humans bath time though is when they get out of the shower or bath they wrap themselves in a big fluffy towel, I used to try to climb them to get a cuddle until I trained them to sit down on the toilet seat where I can jump up and sit on their laps for a snuggle. I then wash them properly by giving them a good lick and before washing myself and curling up for a nap.
Sometimes I want to nap longer than they have the time for so I get scooped up towel and all and transferred gently onto the bed instead.
Turns out I like bath and shower time as long as it’s not me in the bath or shower! Except when it’s empty of course…
Not sure where all the splashing happens!
Jenny’s Story 
Absolutely love 💕 your blog about Jenny. Keep it up it’s lovely to read 🐈😍💕
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I am absolutely fascinated by Jenny’s story,love,love,love it,again can’t wait for the chapter.
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