You think I would understand that little mantra by now, but nope, can't say that I do. I do know that if I wanna pet Manny it's best that you stick out your hand for the little orange guy to sniff and pet him ONLY where he wants to be pet. Manny will make certain to direct your hand in the right spot by giving your hand a little brush with his head. I know that just because Manny rolls on his back, doesn't mean that it's an open invitation to rub his furry belly. I know that it doesn't matter if you're trying to write a long over due blog - if Manny wants to play with his mouse - we play with the mouse. So in some aspects I know and respect the Manny Rules, but then incidences like the one below will crop up totally setting me back from being a full fledged Manny expert.
Even something as innocuous as testing out a new can of food will wreck havoc on the household. It all started out so innocently. It was a sunny day and I had just emerged from Penn Station on my way to the office when I spotted a well-know cat food company giving away samples of their new wet food "in a convenient pour and serve pouch". The Husband and I scored some "real tuna dinner" pouches and thought Manny would like to try something other than Fancy Feast for dinner. Seldom right and wrong again. That night I decided to forgo the Fancy Feast in favor of my newly acquired free sample. I opened the pouch and poured some into his bowl - they were right, it was convenient - however, the pouch eliminated the pop top tin can sound cats know and worship. Strike one. Manny looked like at me like I was a crazy fool (and I was) for serving up something other than Fancy Feast. He sniffed it, looked at me, then walked away. Strike two. When hunger won out, Manny came back to his bowl and gave the tuna a try. He ate the whole thing and I thought we might have a winner - SCORE!
I came home from work the following day and was greeted by a nice pile of cat regurgitation. Lovely as that was, I wasn't all that concerned as I cleaned up the mess. When I went into the bathroom something in the bathtub caught my eye. Oh. no. he. didn't. Oh yes he did. I called The Husband over to show him that Manny decided that the tub would be a good place for a second litter box. Upon seeing Manny's bathtub deposits, The Husband mentioned that he better check out the (real) litter box asap. That was a another nice surprise. It looked like a battled was waged in that box and I felt awful. I realized then and there that Manny's tummy had totally revolted the "real tuna dinner". I gave Manny some extra pets that evening while apologizing over and over for being so stupid. I also praised him for being so totally smart when he decided to grace the bathtub with his presence, instead of, oh, I don't know -- the carpet.
Another lesson learned. Stick to what you know or rather what your cat knows and likes. Manny likes his Fancy Feast, so Manny will get Fancy Feast (and only The Feast) Note to self: don't pick up cat food samples on the corner of a Manhattan sidewalk. It's not going to score me any points.
P.S. the rest of the samples we acquired by sticking out our greedy little hands are going to Manny's former shelter. There has got to be a cat in there that will like it!
